Greenville County Council Prepares to Adopt UDO and Consider Expanding Limits for MetroConnects

GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) – The Greenville County Council picking up where things left off before Hurricane Helene. Tuesday they discussed two items that have already generated resistance.

Next steps for the Unified Development Ordinance

After the first reading, the Unified Development Ordinance or UDO, will now go to the planning and development committee and the planning commission for review.

However, some hope to slow it down.

“What’s the hurry? If it’s a good thing now, it will be good then. So right now as it stands, they are on track to pass, I have 31 amendments ready to pass,” said District 27 Councilman-elect Garey Collins.

Collins feels the board is trying to pass the UDO before four new members take their seats in January.

“One of the biggest disadvantages of this is that there is no involvement with the community. there should be at least 3-4 meetings in the district,” he said.

But supporters say there is no rush because the guiding document has been years in the making and could be changed later.

MetroConnects Limit Expansion Request

Leaders are also making progress on approving an expansion of MetroConnects boundaries. The plan would give the wastewater company authority to expand sewer lines in certain areas.

The request to expand the border came in September, at that time they received resistance from conservation groups concerned that it would spark too much development in rural areas of southern and northern Greenville County.

General Manager Carol Elliott presented council with a revised proposal Tuesday that she says is more in line with the comprehensive plan — by not including areas designated as rural.

Elliot also addressed public concerns, explaining that border expansion does not spur development – and would not happen all at once. They would only add sewer lines after the developments were approved by county staff.

“Metro does not install sewage infrastructure speculating in development. This would be bad business and an irresponsible waste of our customers’ money,”

Councilmen Joey Russo and Ennis Fant praised the company’s edited proposal and willingness to make changes. The public hearing will be on November 5th.