Greenville in Focus: Transparency, Growth, and Community Voice

Chairman Blount’s Newsletter 4-27-25

Apr 27, 2025

It’s a lighter week for County Council meetings, but that means we will have more much needed time to address Constiuent concerns out in our District’s.

The limited meetings we do have point to something bigger:

We’re building a government that you can actually see working — with real transparency, real accountability, and real access to the decisions that shape Greenville County.

No more digging for answers. No more confusion.

Just clear information, open processes, and a commitment to keeping citizens fully in the know!

“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” - Thomas Jefferson

Monday, April 28, 2025:

3:30 PM — Public Safety Committee
Location: 301 University Ridge, Committee Meeting Room

Public Safety Committee to Hear Presentation on Charleston County’s Centralized Dispatch Model

At Monday’s meeting, the Public Safety Committee will hear a presentation from James Lake, Director of the Charleston Consolidated Dispatch Center.

Lake will explain how Charleston County combined multiple emergency dispatch operations into a single, coordinated center — aiming to improve 911 response times, increase efficiency, and better serve citizens across jurisdictions.

This briefing is part of ongoing discussions about how Greenville County might modernize or streamline its own emergency communications in the future.

Watch the livestream HERE

Wednesday, April 30, 2025:

3:00 PM — Oversight Ad Hoc Committee
Location: 301 University Ridge, Committee Meeting Room

Oversight Committee to Review Key County Operations and Take Public Comment

On Wednesday, the Oversight Ad Hoc Committee will tackle several important topics tied to county operations and transparency:

Plans for electric vehicle charging meters in the county parking garage
Discussion about Greater Greenville Sanitation District
Questions about the creation of a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), which could impact future land use and zoning
Questions regarding employee credit card policies
Questions about the county’s vehicle fleet management

The meeting will also include a Public Comment Session, with up to 10 citizens allowed to speak for three minutes each.

Anyone wishing to comment must register on-site between 2:15 PM and 2:45 PM before the 3:00 PM meeting.

Watch the livestream HERE

On Stage and In Service: Music, Leadership, and the Power of Perseverance

This past weekend, I had the honor of opening for country music legend Clay Walker at Anderson County’s 2025 Soirée Festival — marking about the 12th time I’ve shared the stage with him over my 20-year career. Each time, Clay delivers a performance that resonates deeply, and this night was no exception.

For those who may not know, Clay was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1996. Despite this, he has continued to tour and perform, becoming a beacon of resilience and hope. Witnessing him take the stage — even with assistance — and deliver an electrifying show was profoundly moving. His determination and passion exemplify the spirit of perseverance.

As Clay himself says, “I don’t let MS define me. I work hard to stay healthy and to keep doing what I love — making music and connecting with people. Every day is a gift, and every show is a celebration of that gift.”

I also want to give a special thank you to Corey Stevenson, who stepped in to assist me on guitar for the evening. His talent and professionalism are second to none, and extend far beyond guitar. He is an established singer/songwriter and entertainer. Corey has that rare ability to simply ask what key the song is in — and then make it look and sound like he’s been playing it for years. Having musicians like Corey by your side makes all the difference, and I’m grateful to call him both a collaborator and a friend.

As a full-time musician and Chairman of Greenville County Council, I know how important it is to stay connected to real life — to the everyday joys, struggles, and triumphs that shape our community.

Moments like these reaffirm why it matters to have leaders who are grounded in real-world experiences — not career politicians, but neighbors, parents, and working citizens committed to building a stronger, more connected community.

Traffic Alert: Emergency Closure on Garlington Road

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has issued an immediate closure of Garlington Road near its intersection with Woodruff Road in Greenville County due to a sinkhole that has caused a portion of the travel lane to collapse, rendering it unsafe for travel.

SCDOT crews are on-site assessing the damage and have stated that repairs will be expedited, with the closure expected to remain in effect until at least Monday. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes and anticipate delays in the area.

For real-time updates and detour information, please visit the SCDOT Road Conditions website: SCDOT Road Conditions

Greenville County will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

The detour map can be seen below:

Citizen Input Needed: Survey on Protecting Open Space in Greenville County

The Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust (GCHNRT), with private support from the Community Foundation of Greenville, recently partnered with Robert Cahaly of The Trafalgar Group to conduct a major assessment of citizen attitudes toward protecting open space in Greenville County.

As Greenville County continues to grow, balancing development with the protection of parks, natural areas, and farmland is becoming more important than ever. Understanding where the public stands is essential for responsible, citizen-driven policymaking.

What was done:

A scientific, statistically-valid survey was completed by The Trafalgar Group, a nationally recognized firm known for its trusted accuracy.
The survey measured public support for — and concerns about — using public funding to protect open spaces across Greenville County.
An overview of the results is scheduled to be shared at the next County Council meeting.

More ways for citizens to be heard

In addition to the scientific survey, GCHNRT has launched a public online survey open to all Greenville County citizens.

If you would like to weigh in and share your thoughts about the future of Greenville County’s natural spaces, the survey is open until May 9th.

You can take the survey here: Greenville County Open Space Survey

Citizen input — not just consultants or special interests — should drive how we protect what makes Greenville County special.

This is your opportunity to help shape a future that values both growth and preservation.

Greenville County Planning Commission Meeting Recap: Growth, Preservation, and Protecting Community Character

This month’s Greenville County Planning Commission meeting brought a full agenda of decisions on proposed subdivisions, zoning changes, and updates that will shape the future of our communities. A special thank you to these commissioners for the work they did in what I am sure was a very long meeting!

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Walton Estates (Near Fountain Inn):
A proposal for 22 lots across 68 acres was denied after residents raised concerns about the rural character of the area, safety issues tied to topography, and lot sizes. A tied Commission vote resulted in denial.
Devonport Station (Near White Horse Road):
Approved unanimously — 100 new residential lots planned on about 28 acres (roughly 3.58 homes per acre).
Southpoint Commerce Center Expansion:
Approved unanimously — Additional industrial and residential spaces near Antioch Church and Fork Shoals Roads.
O’Neal Farms Phase II (Near Donaldson Center):
Denied 5-3 — Citizens voiced strong opposition over concerns about density and community fit.
Fieldstone (Near Roper Mountain Road):
Approved 7-1 — A small six-lot subdivision with an approved variance for an undisturbed buffer.
Greenheart Village (Fork Shoals and Ferguson Roads):
Approved 7-1 — 12 new homes planned over 13 acres.
Creekhaven (South of Greenville):
Approved 7-1 — 34 homes on nearly 27 acres, with multiple variances approved.
Hartness Development Expansion (Traverse Drive):
Approved 7-1 — A small four-lot project with no public opposition.

In rezoning matters, the Commission voted to deny several requests for new commercial and multifamily developments that didn’t align with community plans — including proposals in Taylors, Travelers Rest, Pleasant Valley, and near Welcome/Parker.

One rezoning request for a small parcel on E. North Street to allow for suburban commercial use was approved unanimously.

The Planning Commission continues to weigh the tension between growth and preserving the character and safety of our communities — with citizens’ voices playing a major role in several key decisions.

Paris Mountain Zoning Text Amendment: Closing a Critical Loophole

At the end of the meeting, the Commission unanimously approved a Greenville County-initiated amendment to the zoning rules for the Environmentally Sensitive District – Paris Mountain (ESD-PM).

The change removes a loophole that previously allowed developers to bypass environmental protections simply by finding alternate access points off Altamont Road.

Specifically, the amendment deletes a section that said properties could be removed from the ESD-PM protections if they could demonstrate alternate vehicle access.

This fix helps preserve the integrity of the protections originally put in place to safeguard the mountain’s unique environment and community character.

This issue ties directly into a larger and highly watched situation — the proposed “Inn at Altamont”, which we’ll cover in the next section.

Update: Travelers Rest Planning Commission Recommends Denial for Inn at Altamont

This week, the Travelers Rest Planning Commission took a major step regarding the proposed Inn at Altamont — a controversial 150-room luxury hotel project on Paris Mountain.

After a packed public hearing where dozens of citizens spoke out in opposition, the Planning Commission voted 5-1 to recommend denial of the annexation request needed for the hotel to move forward.

Here’s what happened:

Residents raised serious concerns about the project’s impact on traffic safety, water runoff, sewer infrastructure, and environmental preservation.
Six major conservation groups — including Upstate Forever, Friends of the Reedy River, Naturaland Trust, and Save Our Saluda — also formally opposed the development.
Only two citizens spoke in favor, citing potential economic benefits.
Despite the city’s planning staff recommending approval based on technical consistency with the city’s comprehensive plan, commissioners said the overwhelming public outcry could not be ignored.

Greenville County Council recently passed a formal resolution opposing the annexation, rezoning, and development of the Inn at Altamont — citing concerns about protecting Paris Mountain’s unique environmental character, the strain on infrastructure, and the impact on surrounding communities.

The County’s action sends a clear message: the broader community expects responsible, respectful land use decisions that safeguard public resources, not just private interests.

The Planning Commission’s decision is only a recommendation.

Travelers Rest City Council has the final authority — and their first discussion will happen at the Planning and Development Committee meeting on May 5th. A full council vote is expected later in May.

What Citizens Should Do Now:

Stay Engaged:
Attend the Planning and Development Committee meeting on May 5th and be ready for the full City Council meeting later in May.
Make Your Voice Heard:
Contact Travelers Rest City Council members respectfully but firmly. Let them know how you feel about protecting Paris Mountain and maintaining the character of Travelers Rest.
Stay Informed:
Watch official meeting agendas and schedules, and continue working together to protect the places that make our communities special.

The TR Planning Commission heard the community loud and clear — but the final decision lies with City Council.

Your voice and your involvement can and will make the difference!

Chairman’s Corner: Home Rule & Why County Government Doesn’t Always Seem To Follow State Law

In South Carolina, Home Rule means that counties like Greenville have the authority to make many of their own decisions without having to wait for permission from the State Legislature. Before Home Rule was established in 1975, counties could only act if the state explicitly allowed it (a system known as Dillon’s Rule). Home Rule flipped that script. Today, unless something is specifically prohibited by state law or the Constitution, county governments can act on their own judgment.

This shift allows counties to govern with local subjectivity, making decisions based on the needs, values, and priorities of their own communities, not just what’s written into state law. That’s why you’ll see County Council creating zoning plans, passing ordinances on things like noise, litter, and development, and providing services like parks, libraries, and public safety programs tailored to Greenville County, even if there’s no statewide law spelling it all out.

However, Home Rule has clear limits. Counties can’t pass ordinances that directly conflict with state law. We also can’t create new types of taxes or major fees without specific authority from the General Assembly. Big-ticket items like school governance, criminal law, and the management of state roads remain outside of county hands.

Sometimes, these boundaries cause confusion. Citizens often assume, “If it’s not in state law, the County can’t do it.” In truth, under Home Rule, the County can act unless the state says otherwise. Conversely, when citizens want us to take actions the law doesn’t allow—such as cutting taxes beyond what state rules permit, it’s not that the County is unwilling, it’s that we are legally constrained.

Understanding Home Rule helps explain why Greenville County sometimes moves independently and sometimes cannot. It’s not about overstepping or ignoring citizens, it’s about responsibly using the flexibility Home Rule gives us, while respecting the boundaries the state has set.

Our commitment is to continue using Home Rule authority to make the best decisions for Greenville County, always operating within the law and with the local community’s best interests at heart. Home Rule was meant to bring government closer to the people, and we take that responsibility seriously every day.

To you and your families, here’s to another blessed and prosperous week in Greenville County!

Chairman Blount’s Newsletter