The Greer City Council voted to deny the sale of city-owned property for a proposed retail development during its regular meeting on Tuesday.
Ordinance 28-2026 proposed selling a city-owned parcel located at the corner of Hammett Bridge Road and S Buncombe Road to an undisclosed developer, with the proposed use being a grocery-anchored retail development. Council denied the ordinance 3-4, with members Jay Arrowood, Karuiam Booker, Charles Lander and Paul Lamb voting in opposition.Â
Some council members expressed concerns about the proposed construction timeline and the city’s plan to sell the property for less than its purchase price. City officials said the proposal could return in the future, though any future sale would still require council approval and a negotiated development agreement with the developer.
Council then voted on the second reading of Ordinance 27-2026, which approved the $1 million sale of two city-owned parcels near Victoria Street and Depot Street to Greer Hotel Partners LLC. The proposed use of the property is a hotel and parking project. Council approved the ordinance unanimously.
The final item of old business heard by Council was Ordinance 19-2026. This approves the annexation of 33.87 acres on Freeman Farm Road into the city with a zoning of Traditional Neighborhood. The intent is to build a single-family detached subdivision, with a maximum density of two homes per acre. Council approved the ordinance unanimously.
In new business, Council considered an award recommendation of $684,913 to fund the purchase of a furniture package for the Sports & Events Center. The package includes chairs, tables, bleachers and office furniture for the center. Council approved the recommendation unanimously.
Also related to the future Sports & Events Center, Council unanimously approved a utility easement for the Greer Commission of Public Works at the Center. The purpose of this is to bring natural gas to the site. The ordinance will return for a second reading at the next council meeting.
Council then unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance 29-2026. This ordinance updates the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to have specific requirements for digital displays and electronic message boards.
The conversation around adding these parameters was raised at prior council meetings due to the city’s plan to place an electronic sign outside of the Sports & Events Center once it is complete. Current city laws do not permit the type of digital display the city plans to install, necessitating the amendment.
Under the amended ordinance, electronic message boards would be allowed in Regional Center or Commercial Corridor zoning districts, and these boards must be incorporated within a larger monument sign. Some additional requirements include having automatic dimming technology for nighttime and a minimum 10-second hold between images. The ordinance will be heard for a final reading at the next meeting.
Council also approved the first reading of two rezoning ordinances. The first, Ordinance 22-2026, would rezone property on Victor Street to Office Professional for the purpose of expanding a church. The second, Ordinance 23-2026, would rezone 0.28 acres on Jackson Street to Traditional Neighborhood for the purpose of building single-family homes. Both items were approved unanimously on first reading and will be heard for a final reading at Council’s next meeting.
Finally, Council unanimously approved Resolution 20-2026 for its first and final reading. This approves the closure of a portion of an alleyway behind a residence on Virginia Avenue. Responsibility for maintaining that portion of the alley will transfer to the adjacent property owners.
For more information about the Greer City Council, visit https://www.cityofgreer.org/page/city-council.Â
