Greer council approves annexation for 67‑lot Mrath Road development over neighborhood objections

Greer — The City Council voted to annex properties on Mrath (Macarath) Road and set a Traditional Neighborhood zoning classification for a proposed single‑family development that staff says would yield roughly 67 lots.

Residents who live along the narrow country road urged the council to stop the development during the public‑comment period. “I live in the Sunrest Ribs subdivision and I oppose the track development,” said Donna Booth, who warned of lost privacy, noise and diminished home values. Neighbor Charles McAfee added that recent apartment construction already reduced the neighborhood’s quiet and wildlife, and Allan Hudson said the planned single access would create a traffic bottleneck next to his house.

City planners told council the proposal had gone through the Planning Commission, which recommended approval, and that the request is consistent with the city’s future‑land‑use map and the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Staff said annexation would bring the site under city standards — including a minimum 10‑foot Type‑1 buffer with trees and shrubs, interior and exterior sidewalks, requirements to preserve open space and a 10% tree save area — and that the developer would be asked to contribute to planned road improvements along the project frontage.

Developer representative Waverly Wilks distributed a conceptual layout and told council the plan includes required buffers and adequate frontage for an entrance drive. City engineers noted the city will request the developer’s share of a broader road‑widening project on Mrath as part of the permitting and subdivision approvals.

Council members discussed trade‑offs between allowing private property owners to develop and the city’s ability to apply higher development standards when property is annexed. After deliberation, council approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 5‑2026 (annexation and zoning) on a roll call that recorded one dissenting vote (Councilmember Lander) and otherwise passed the ordinance.

The ordinance record identifies the property owner as Curtis C. HIPP (also known in the ordinance as Clarence C. HIPP). Council and staff said future steps will include standard subdivision review, engineering plans and infrastructure agreements before any building permits are issued.

The council’s approval does not immediately begin construction; it changes the jurisdiction and zoning for the parcels and allows subsequent site plan and infrastructure approvals to proceed under city standards.