Council approves North Main rezoning and advances Williams Road annexation amid sewer concerns

On June 8 the Travelers Rest City Council approved multiple land-use items: the council adopted a second-reading ordinance rezoning 314 North Main from R-10 to R-7.5 and advanced first readings for a Williams Road annexation and a zoning map amendment for 501 North Main.

The 314 North Main rezoning (O-03-26) was presented by Council member Catherine James. Staff noted the recorded boundary survey shows 15,000 square feet on the site, meeting the minimum R-7.5 lot size needed to subdivide the parcel into two 7,500-square-foot lots. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended unanimous approval, and the council carried the ordinance on second reading.

The Williams Road item (first reading of O-09-26) generated a detailed staff explanation from planning staff Jay Martin, who said sewer availability is the pivotal constraint. Martin explained the parcel lies within the Metropolitan Sewer Sub-district boundaries but sewer infrastructure does not extend to the site; bringing sewer to the parcel would require an estimated ~1,700 feet of extension or pumping uphill. He summarized development scenarios: without sewer, county regulations would require roughly 1.5-acre lots on the county portion; with public sewer and water, county rules could allow 6,000-square-foot lots (about 7.3 units/acre) while city rules would allow only 15,000-square-foot lots (about 2.9 units/acre), meaning sewer connection materially affects potential density.

Martin also said the applicant had indicated an intent to create six lots via a summary plat (a process that avoids a major-subdivision review if no public road is required); staff cautioned that a major subdivision (more than six lots or a public road) would trigger review by the planning commission, county stormwater review, SCDOT encroachment letters and Metro Connects' sewer-district review. Council members asked clarifying questions about riparian buffers, tree cover, private-drive access and whether annexation would give the city first right to consider sewer or compel connection; staff replied that Metro Connects and Greenville County have final say on sewer extension decisions and that annexation would clean up split zoning and consolidate review under one jurisdiction.

Council then approved the Williams Road annexation and rezoning on first reading by voice vote. The council also approved a first reading to rezone 501 North Main from C-2 to R-10; staff and planning commission recommended approval and required public notice was provided.

Council members emphasized the item would return for subsequent procedural steps if the developer pursues additional subdivision beyond the summary-plat scope. No public speakers were recorded on the annexation item at this meeting; the planning commission had received some public comment at its hearing and the staff report noted approximately 20 people attended a community meeting held by the applicant.