The new Greenville Development Code

By Dorothy Dowe,
Councilwoman

Through an extensive series of public meetings, presentations to community and professional organizations and one-on-one conversations and communications, a great deal of information and important feedback has been communicated on the proposed new Greenville Development Code (GDC).

Many of those suggestions and requests were incorporated into the latest draft, with the changes marked so they are easily identifiable. Additional changes also were identified in the staff reports to the Planning Commission on March 30 and April 11. 

Because the proposed new GDC will affect EVERY property in the city, it is important to understand how you may be affected. Please make time to attend one of these sessions if you are able:

LEARNING LAB SCHEDULE

  • Tuesday, April 18, 2 to 5 pm, Greenville Convention Center
  • Wednesday, April 19, 11 am to 2 p.m, Greenville Convention Center
  • Thursday, April 20, 8 to 11 am, Unity Park Welcome Center
  • Thursday, April 27, from 4 to 7 pm, Greenville Convention Center

You can also learn more about the draft development code at www.greenvillesc.gov/devcode. If you wish to read the Executive Summary of the proposed code, the staff report can be reviewed by clicking here.

QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS FOR CONSIDERING THE PROPOSED NEW CODE?
ANSWER: 
The 2nd public comment period for the Development Code is scheduled for MONDAY, May 15th at 4 p.m. at Unity Park – Prisma Welcome Center – and will be conducted by the City of Greenville Planning Commission. I expect a vote by the Planning Commission to take place at that meeting.

Due to the interest in the new code and zoning map and potential for a large number of speakers for the public hearing, sign-ups will be requested for the public comment period.  Speakers will have three minutes to express their support or concerns at the public hearing. Our planning staff will work with our communications department to create the registration signup that will be posted once the public hearing packet is publicly noticed. Written comments may be submitted to the Planning Commission at any time before the public hearing at planning@greenvillesc.gov.

Following the Planning Commission vote, the proposed code will advance to City Council for first reading and a vote. A second reading and vote will also be required. At this time, I anticipate the Code document to  advance to City Council for first reading at the Monday, May 22nd or Monday, June 12th meeting. City Council meetings are held at City Hall and begin at 5:30 pm should you wish to attend. As always, public comment will be allowed at the City Council meeting. Speakers will have three minutes to express their support or concerns, and must sign up in advance by contacting our municipal clerk, Camilla Pitman, at cpitman@greenvillesc.gov.

I appreciate the community input that has been received on this project over the past 18 months and encourage you to stay engaged as the process continues.

I encourage you to reach out to me if you have questions or concerns regarding this issue.

Be the change you want to see: Help the party with a much-needed donation or volunteer to help!

Laura Haight