Committee removes two‑year sunset and backs Mountain Creek Community District overlay

The Greenville County Planning & Development Committee on Aug. 3 recommended approval of a text amendment to create the Mountain Creek Community District overlay, advancing the measure to full County Council after removing a proposed two‑year sunset clause.

Planning staff presented the proposal, which would require a 50‑foot vegetated perimeter buffer, a minimum 100‑foot riparian buffer along streams and jurisdictional waters, on‑site stormwater storage sized for a 100‑year storm event, and dedication of 50% of total site acreage as protected open space. "Staff is of the opinion that [the] proposed amendment would increase watershed protections for the Mountain Creek area, which are major concerns for the local citizens," Planning staff Todd said during the presentation.

The committee debated a staff‑suggested two‑year automatic expiration for the ordinance. Several members favored replacing the sunset with scheduled review language; others argued against any sunset. "Don't sunset something," one committee member said, arguing developers could await an expiration rather than comply. After discussion the committee voted to remove the two‑year sunset clause and then voted to recommend the ordinance as amended.

The ordinance now proceeds as the committee's recommendation to the Greenville County Council for final action. Staff told the committee the proposed edits included cross‑references to the county's land development regulations and stormwater ordinance and clarifications to the variance process to avoid contradictory standards.

What happens next: the full County Council will consider the committee recommendation and may adopt, amend, or reject the ordinance at a subsequent meeting. The committee recorded the removal of the sunset clause and forwarded the amended text as its recommendation.