Mortgage Broker in Greenville, SC

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Greenville County leaders held the first council meeting of 2024 Tuesday night, kicking things off with a new policy that could tackle a big issue in the county--rural development.

Members voting 11 to 1, approved a new policy for septic tank use. It all has to do with subdivisions.

“The days of 200 and 300 house subdivisions on septic tanks-- this basically will eliminate that,” said Councilman Ennis Fant, District 25.

Developers are building on land without sewer lines and adding septic tanks for each house, but leaders worry about the long-term effects.

“DHEC will give you a permit to put the septic tank in originally but then there’s no oversight afterwards, there’s no inspection so when they fail they just fail,” Fant said.

The new policy adds limits. Developers can only put a tank on one-and-a-half acre lots, 100 feet from waterways. Many, including conservation groups like Friends of the Reedy River have praised the policy. But others are hesitant.

“Hopefully I’m wrong but I feel like there’s some unintended consequences with that,” said Councilman Christ Harrison, District 21.

Harrison was the lone “no” vote. He advocated for a restriction of one acre lots because he’s worried the acre and a half restriction will limit the number of lots a developer can build—potentially increasing the price of homes.

“Hopefully not, but I don’t want to create these larger septic lots to combat that, I don’t want home prices to increase, I don’t want to take a step back,” he said.

Those in favor say it’s all about slowing development, buying time to expand sewer lines out to rural areas and protecting waterways.

“We need 4,400 houses a year in Greenville County and obviously we’re not able to keep up with that which is leading to skyrocketing home prices and skyrocketing rental prices. So if we’re going to reduce the amount of septic tank houses, we’re going to have to do higher density single family residences and that means that ReWa and Metro[Connects] are going to have to step up,” said Fant.

Any projects currently under development or in the permitting process will not be affected by the new rules.

Copyright 2024 WHNS. All rights reserved.

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. —

Greenville County officials are limiting where septic tanks can be built in its unincorporated areas and making sure there's more buffers around streams and creeks.

Council voted 11-1 on the rule change, Tuesday night.

"Continuing to build 200-to-300 house subdivisions on septic tanks in the rural parts of the county is not an efficient use of the limited land that we have left," council member Ennis Fant said. "We have a responsibility to not just us today but also the next generation, so we can't continue to poison our creeks, rivers and streams."

Starting immediately, homes built with a septic tank must have a minimum 1.5 lot size and increased buffers, which can go up to 100 feet, from the nearest stream bank.

Fant added the change is meant to improve water quality and help slow down growth.

“We’re seeing nitrate levels rise to enormous levels in the lower parts of the county, so we knew we had to do something," he said. "We’re poisoning the creeks and rivers at an alarming rate, so we had to step up."

Council member Chris Harrison was the only vote against the rule, saying the minimum lot size is too large.

"That decreases the number of lots a builder can use," Harrison said. "Therefore, it can decrease your property value because you're not going to pay as much for it. Conversely, if they're larger lots, they're going to be valued more. They're going to cost more and the home price is going to be higher, as well."

Environmental groups such as Upstate Forever supported the change and larger buffers.

"These riparian buffer areas are the vegetative areas next to rivers and streams and considered to be the last line of defense for water quality because they slow down and filter runoff," said Erika Hollis, the organization's Clean Water Director.

Fant said the county needs 4,400 homes per year to keep up with housing demand.

He said the county now has to work with sewage service providers to get more homes off septic and onto sewer lines.

"If we're going to reduce the number of septic tank houses, we're going to have to do higher density single-family residences," Fant said. "That means ReWa and MetroConnects are going to have to step up."

The rule change will run for the next two years until a sunset clause kicks in. Council must meet again at the end of the period to vote on whether or not to continue with the change.

Top Picks

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Two First Alert Weather Days are ahead, one for Saturday and another for next Tuesday.

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Henderson, Transylvania counties, portions of Polk and Rutherford counties. It goes into effect 1:00 a.m. Saturday until 1:00 p.m. Significant icing is expected within these areas, with accumulations ranging from 0.10″ to 0.30″ potentially. This could lead to power outages, trees down and nearly impossible travel on the roadways.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for northern Greenville and northern Pickens counties in the Upstate, as well as southern Jackson county, Buncombe, Yancey, Mitchell, McDowell. It goes into effect 1:00 a.m. Saturday until 1:00 p.m. Mixed precipitation is possible here, with the potential of snow accumulations up to 1″ and ice accumulations of up to 0.20″. Plan on slippery roads within the areas under the advisory.

Rain and a wintry mix are set to move in overnight into Saturday, with conditions varying from cold rain to sleet and freezing rain by daybreak. This is looking like a widespread event, high confidence in that, although there is still some question on the exact form of wintery precipitation to be seen for some areas. Highest potential for wintry weather is in the mountains however, some areas along the South Carolina-North Carolina border could see a brief period of freezing rain.

The best chances of wintry precipitation come in the early hours of Saturday with warm air moving in from the west by mid-late morning, switching over to a chilly rain. Snow is possible in the higher elevations but the lower elevations are looking at more a mix with sleet and freezing rain potentially impacting the valleys and foothills. This means spotty areas with slick roads are a concern during the early morning hours of Saturday. Ice accumulations could range from a coating up to 0.3″ for some. Moisture moves out throughout the afternoon on Saturday.

Temperatures rebound for Sunday, back to the upper 40s to mid 50s with a nice mix of sun and clouds. However some spotty showers may linger along the North Carolina-Tennessee border. Monday’s a nice dry day with highs in the mid 40s to low 50s ahead of our next rain system.

Tuesday is another First Alert Weather Day due to widespread heavy rain, as well as the potential for some strong storms and wintry mix in the mountains. This one looks to bring widespread heavy rain all across the area. There’s another chance for some wintry precipitation in the mountains early on Tuesday impacting the morning commute for some areas.

The heavy rain looks to be the highest threat from this system, as of right now. Multiple inches of rain will be possible.

Copyright 2023 WHNS. All rights reserved.

Are you looking for things to do this month or even this weekend in Greenville, SC? From concerts to shows to children’s programming, sporting events, festivals, and free events, there is almost always a great answer when you’re searching for things to do near you, at least there is when you live in South Carolina’s Upstate!

What’s happening this month in Greenville, SC?

Never be bored, and never miss an event your family will love! We’re highlighting some of the coolest, most unique, most interesting, and most popular events this month. But don’t forget to check out our FULL event calendar for even more amazing options. Here’s what to do this month near Greenville, SC.

For things to do this month in Spartanburg, SC, see our Monthly Event Guide to Spartanburg, SC.

Thank you to our sponsors. Sponsored events are marked as “featured.”

Family Friendly New Year’s Eve & Day

These New Year’s events are for kids! Several businesses and organizations throughout the Greenville area will host special celebrations to help ring in the new year. Check out these 10+ Family Celebrations for 2024: New Year’s Celebrations for Kids!

Things to Do This Weekend Near Greenville, SC

The weekend is about here and you’re ready for some fun in the Upstate. But what’s happening this weekend? We know! Here are some great events happening on the weekends this month.

Skating on the Big Ice, select dates December 16th – 30th, 2023 Friday Starry Nights, Roper Mountain Science Center, Fridays in January The Toasty Farmer (Indoor Market), Saturdays in January Open Art Studios Anniversary Celebration, January 5th, 2024 SCCT’s Tell Me A Story Theatre, January 13th, 2024 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert, January 13th, 2024 The Watsons go to Birmingham, SCCT, January 19th – February 4th, 2024 Saturday Story Time @ Hughes Library, January 20th, 2024 54th Annual Upstate Boat Show, January 25th – 28th, 2024 Feathered Friends, TR Makers Co. January 26th, 2024 Greenville Symphony Presents: Lollipop Series, January 27th, 2024

If the scheduled events and festivals aren’t piquing your interest, try these great things to do on the weekend with the family.

Theater, Shows, and Sporting Events

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert, January 13th, 2024 The Watsons go to Birmingham, SCCT, January 19th – February 4th, 2024 D is for Dance Party, SCCT, January 26th – February 4th, 2023 Greenville Symphony Presents: Lollipop Series, January 27th, 2024

VS. Florida Everblades, December 31st, 2023 VS. Florida Everblades, January 5th and 6th, 2024 VS. Orlando Solar Bears, January 10th and 12th, 2024 VS. Jacksonville Icemen, January 20th & 21st, 2024

Free Things to Do Happening This Month

We love free things to do! The events below happening in the Upstate are all “free” meaning they have no admission charge to attend.

The Toasty Farmer (Indoor Market), Saturdays in January Science Station Jr.: Ice, January 10th, 2023 Teddy Bear Tea Party, Hughes Main Library, January 12th, 2024 SCCT’s Tell Me A Story Theatre, January 13th, 2024 Greenville Symphony Presents: Lollipop Series, January 27th, 2024

GREENVILLE, S.C. —

New tenants for Greenville County Square were announced Friday and include big names like Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma.

(Video above is previous coverage about Whole Food coming to the area)

Earlier this year, Greenville County moved into its new 262,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Administrative Building and 1,000-space parking deck, which means the previous structure is being demolished.

WYFF 4 Exclusive: An inside look at Greenville County's future administration facility

On Friday, RocaPoint announced that Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma will join the project and anchor the retail experience along with Whole Foods Market, which was signed earlier this year.

Sports & Social and PBR will also be joining the project. The 23,000-square-foot sports bar and entertainment venue will be The Cordish Company’s first in South Carolina.

Along with retail and entertainment uses, RocaPoint announced new food-and-beverage tenants.

Recently, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, signed on and will open its first restaurant in South Carolina.

Hawkers, which serves authentic Asian street food, and The Salty, a donut, baked goods and coffee shop, will also open at Greenville County Square.

These new restaurants will join the already announced restaurants, including Perch Kitchen and Tap, Agave Bandido, Jinya Ramen Bar and Ben & Jerry’s.

“Greenville County Square is moving full steam ahead,” said Patrick Leonard, Principal at RocaPoint Partners. “We’ve seen enormous interest in the project as Greenville continues to be a market that attracts high-quality tenants. With an upswing in population and a desirable quality of life for residents, it's no surprise companies and retailers are choosing to bring their businesses to this charming downtown, many for the first time.”

Located along University Ridge in downtown Greenville, the development will encompass approximately 3 million square feet of new buildings, creating $1.5 billion in market value upon completion.

To learn more, please visit https://rocapoint.com/project/greenville/.