News Summary
The Greenwood County Council has approved several rezoning ordinances aimed at boosting local development and the economy. Highlights include the rezoning of 413 acres for industrial use and plans for a new food truck park. The council also discussed new job opportunities for field maintenance and reported positive financial growth from tax revenues. Upcoming council meetings will address further developments in the community.
Greenwood County Council Excitingly Moves Forward with Rezoning and Honors Local Sports Star
Well, hello there, Greenwood! What a lovely day it is, despite those morning showers that waved goodbye to us as the sun peeked through the clouds in the afternoon. The weather perked up nicely as drier air rolled in, giving us a pleasant high of 64°F. Winds were notably breezy, blowing in from the west-southwest at 20 to 30 mph. Just a heads-up, it did get a bit chilly later on, dipping down to around 35°F with gusts still making their presence felt!
Big Moves at the Greenwood County Council Meeting
During a bustling Greenwood County Council meeting, *Carol Coleman*, our city and county planning director, presented several rezoning ordinances that received the green light from council members. With the crowd buzzing with excitement, the council approved the second readings of three rezoning ordinances, stirring enthusiasm for the developments ahead.
One noteworthy decision was the unanimous approval of rezoning 413 acres at 4730 Ninety Six Highway, switching its classification from Agricultural 1 (AG-1) to Light Industrial (L-1). This change is all about boosting the marketability of the land for business parks and industrial operations, which could really rev up our local economy!
Additionally, a delightful 88.29-acre property at 1552 Highway 72-221 was rezoned from L-1 to a Planned Development District. This will pave the way for expanded development at the *Greenwood County Recreational Complex*, enhancing the fun with more amenities and signage. Speaking of the recreational complex, it’s booming with activity; there are 35 tournaments lined up from now until October! Talk about keeping our community active!
Food Truck Parks on the Rise
In other exciting news, the council has recently established new regulations for *food truck parks*! Now that we’re talking about delicious eats on wheels, this will open up more expansion opportunities within the county. The proposed food truck park near the hospital, on the corners of Spring and Edgefield streets, is all set to welcome multiple food trucks, making it easier for folks to grab a meal while on the go!
Let’s also talk numbers—*Brad Cuttill*, the parks and recreation director, shared that they hosted various events over the weekend, including soccer games and baseball tournaments! To keep things running smoothly, the county is looking to hire eight part-time weekend workers for field maintenance during these busy tournaments, setting aside about $7,000 for this initiative.
Financial Updates and Future Developments
The council also heard from *Steffanie Dorn*, the county treasurer, who reported on FEMA funding related to *Hurricane Helene*. The damages amounted to about $2.4 million, with lost property values hitting $8.6 million. On a brighter note, tax revenues are showing strong growth, with hospitality taxes up by 6.2% and accommodations taxes soaring by 30%! Those are some promising figures for our community’s finances!
Looking ahead, there’s a proposal on the table for an RV park dedicated to traveling professionals on 8.12 acres at 3211 Highway 72-221 East. Currently zoned for high-density residential use, some council members raised concerns regarding visibility and potential impacts on the neighborhood. But fear not! Carol assures us the developers plan to improve screening and infrastructure to help blend the RV park into the area.
Next Steps and Future Meetings
Mark your calendars! The next council meeting is set for April 1 at 5:30 p.m., and there’s much more to discuss. Meanwhile, the *Ninety Six Town Council* also got in on the action, discussing a rezoning ordinance for 16.32 acres at 408 Cross Ave, hoping to welcome new medical and grocery businesses to the area.
The owner of *Riley Farm Holdings* shared plans for a medical facility and grocery store right in the heart of the community. The first reading of this rezoning request passed unanimously, with planning director Carol reassuring everyone that the general commercial zoning will only allow commercial use—no residential dreams here!
In what felt like a double whammy of good news, the council also approved an ordinance to recover emergency response costs that will now involve billing insurance companies for specific services. They even aligned the town’s business license class schedule with state requirements for smoother operations.
Last but not least, a warm round of applause for *Loretta Rohlinger*, who was appointed to the *Greenwood City-County Joint Planning Commission* for an expired term. It’s always great to welcome new faces ready to roll up their sleeves for our community!
So, Greenwood, stay tuned for more details as we continue to grow and evolve as a community. Is there anything more exciting than seeing development and local heroes flourish? We think not!
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Greenwood County’s Environmental Initiatives for 2025
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Additional Resources
- Index Journal: Zoning Changes in Greenwood County
- Wikipedia: Rezoning
- BusinessDen: Property Owner Leaves Greenwood Village
- Google Search: Greenwood County rezoning
- Central Oregon Daily: Bend Greenwood Cemetery Rezoning
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Zoning
- Index Journal: New Stoney Point Development
Author: HERE Greenwood
The HERE Greenwood Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenwood community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenwood Our team includes lifelong Greenwood residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent listing of the historic Grier Building, Greenwood’s railroad and textile heritage, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Piedmont Technical College programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
