Controversial Nicholtown townhome project approved by Greenville Planning Commission

Savannah Moss, Greenville News
·1 min read

City of Greenville's Planning Commission approved a controversial project in Nicholtown.

The project was deferred in August's meeting due to residents concerns for affordable housing and gentrification.

Arbor Land Design Company, the developer of the project, plans to bring 39 townhomes to Faris and McAlister Road. The 39 lots will be used for single-family attached townhomes with one lot for open space. Three new roads, open space and essential infrastructure will be developed.

Developers met with residents in June, where concerns of affordable housing first arose, as developers informed residents they were not planning to include affordable housing units. The developers also held separate meetings with community leaders.

The starting price for the three bedroom, two bathroom townhomes will begin at $350,000. Developers have agreed to give $45,000 to the city of Greenville's affordable housing fund.

Nicholtown residents stood in solidarity at the planning commission meeting as Nicholtown Neighborhood Association Calvin Hailstock spoke at the meeting.
Nicholtown residents stood in solidarity at the planning commission meeting as Nicholtown Neighborhood Association Calvin Hailstock spoke at the meeting.

Calvin Hailstock, president of Nicholtown Neighborhood Association, continues to express the need for more affordable housing in Greenville.

"Our particular concern is the absence of affordable housing in these developments, a challenge that affects the members of our community," he said during the meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5.

Though he appreciated changes made to the project's design, such as natural buffers between the townhomes and existing homes for privacy, he remained concerned about the lack of affordable housing ― not just for this project, but future projects, as well.

"Rather than we talk about affordable housing on the backend, we need to talk about affordable housing on the front end," he told the News on Monday.

Since the application had been filed before the new Greenville Development Code, commissioners evaluated the project according to regulations in the former land management ordinance.

Savannah Moss covers Greenville County politics and growth & development. Reach her at smoss@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville Planning Commission approves townhome project in Nicholtown