Greenville council adopts ordinance to allow limited multi-family housing in North Lafayette and C-2

The Greenville City Council adopted Ordinance No. 24-09 on May 7, 2024, amending Chapter 46 (Zoning) to add multiple-family dwellings as a special land use in certain districts and to establish design and density standards. Councilperson Moss moved to approve the ordinance; Councilperson Cunliffe seconded, and the measure passed 6–0 with Councilmember Johnson absent.

The ordinance allows multiple-family dwellings only on properties north of the Flat River within the C-2 or North Lafayette zoning districts. Buildings are limited to no more than four units each and overall development density is capped at eight units per acre. The ordinance also requires principal buildings to face the street, places parking behind the principal building, and mandates sidewalks along property frontages.

Section 46-246 prescribes architectural requirements including minimum floor area consistent with R-3 standards, scaled elevation drawings, exterior materials such as brick, stone, wood or vinyl lap siding, and trim in metal, concrete, brick, stone or wood. Facades must have transparent non-reflective windows covering between 15% and 50% of front and side elevations, with vertical, defined-edge windows on upper stories. For rowhouses or townhouses, each unit must have a street-facing entrance; parking for townhouses, rowhouses, and multifamily buildings must meet section 46-258 and be located on-site behind the principal building.

City officials said the ordinance will be published and become effective after meeting the required publication and waiting period. The council record shows the ordinance was adopted by a vote of Lehman, Cunliffe, Scoby, Barrus, Moss and Linton (6 Ayes); Johnson was absent. The council opened and closed a public hearing on the ordinance at 7:06 p.m. with no public comment.

The ordinance’s adoption changes where limited multi-family development can occur in Greenville and sets specific design controls intended to align new development with existing streetscapes.