The first community meeting organized by a local group took place in late May and quickly turned tense as attendees expressed their worries. They feared that the proposed initiatives might take away their rights to use their land as they wish.
Alyson Ghizzoni-Burns, a member of the advocacy group Zone Rural, reassured the community, stating that they have no plans to impose zoning on landowners. “There’s no bulk zoning, there’s no land grabbing,” she emphasized. “We’re not pushing any of that.”
The main concern revolves around how the county plans to handle property rezoning within the district. There are various options for zoning properties in Greenville County. This includes County Council voting on specific land or residents petitioning for zoning, which requires support from landowners over at least one square mile. Both methods could impose zoning on those who may not want it.
Lynn Ballard, a former County Council representative for District 26, expressed his fears that these zoning efforts could significantly limit how landowners, especially farmers, can use their land. However, a unique process allows a council member to propose a rezoning request for a specific property. This method requires council approval but could be more suited to individual needs.
Ghizzoni-Burns pointed out that this targeted approach, which also waives fees for property owners, seems like the best way forward. In response to this need, her group has set up an online form to assist landowners interested in rezoning, which will then be submitted to the relevant authorities.
“There is a patchwork method for zoning that is best,” she noted. In addressing concerns about mandatory zoning, local leader Bradley made it clear that these efforts are purely voluntary. “All they’re doing is presenting the opportunity to zone your property if you want to,” he explained, dismissing claims that they are trying to impose zoning on anyone. “I’ve been accused of trying to force it down people’s throats, but that is so far from the truth.”
