Greenville County Council members have delayed moving ahead with the repeal of a controversial land-use rule that has sparked legal battles.
Council Chairman Willis Meadows called last month for repealing the rule known as Article 3.1 that is meant to ensure new housing developments in unzoned, rural areas are compatible with their surroundings.
But council members voted 7-5 Tuesday night to send Meadows proposal to a committee for further consideration. I think we do have an obligation as a council to come up with a solution to this problem, Councilman Butch Kirven said.
Critics say the rule is overly vague, which makes it vulnerable to court challenges.
ARTICLE 3 GENERAL SUBDIVISION REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Review Criteria: Submitted subdivisions may be approved if they meet all of the following criteria:
• Adequate existing infrastructure and transportation systems exist to support the project;
• The project is compatible with the surrounding land use density;
• The project is compatible with the site’s environmental conditions, such as but not limited to, wetlands, flooding, endangered species and/or habitat, and historic sites and/or cemeteries.
County Council members say changes are needed in development rule
Council members voiced their views on the land-development rule at the end of the meeting.
Meadows proposal has triggered an outcry, Councilman Ennis Fant said.
Greenville County Council Chairman Willis Meadows wants to repeal a controversial land-development rule that has sparked legal battles over proposed subdivisions in unzoned parts of the county.
The rule s supporters, which include environmental groups and rural homeowners, say it is a valuable tool in preventing urban sprawl.
But homebuilders and other detractors say the measure, known as Article 3.1, is too vague. They also say it has been used in an arbitrary manner by the Greenville County Planning Commission since it was put in place in April 2018.
Article 3.1 states that new subdivisions must have adequate infrastructure and roads. It also says they must be compatible with environmental conditions and surrounding land-use density.