Greenville City Council met on Oct. 12 to act on several key items affecting the city’s future. The council voted 5‑1 to adopt the second and final reading of an ordinance that will shift all municipal elections to a nonpartisan format starting in 2027, as required by state House Bill 3556.
Nonpartisan election method
The ordinance selects the “nonpartisan primary election and general election” method. Under this system, if more than two candidates file for a single office, a nonpartisan primary will be held in June. The two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to the November general election, where the candidate with a majority wins. Councilmember Lillian Brock Flemming opposed the measure, while Councilmember Wil Brasington recused himself after announcing his mayoral candidacy on Sept. 22.
Funding for Falls Park Conference District
Council also gave initial approval to allocate $10.7 million from the city’s parking fund toward the Falls Park Conference District project. The money will cover property acquisitions and related expenses for a mixed‑use development in downtown Greenville. The city has signed four purchase‑and‑sale agreements to acquire roughly six acres along Falls Street and Camperdown Way. State‑allocated funds will supplement the city’s contribution. City Manager Shannon Lavrin said the city expects to close on the properties by the end of the year.
Annexations and zoning updates
Five annexation applications received final council approval, adding 15.28 acres of land on Buncombe Road, A Street, 1st Avenue, 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, and Hammett Street to the city limits. The historic Poe Mill property will be annexed and is slated for a major development called The Village of Poe Mill, planned by Michigan‑based Contour Development Group. The project envisions a five‑story, mixed‑use complex with up to 428 multi‑family residential units. New zoning designations for the parcels include Community Five District (RC‑5) and Neighborhood Flex C District (RNX‑C).
In addition, the council approved annexation of a 0.14‑acre site at 31 Young St., designating it as RN‑A zoning.
Development Code amendments
The council gave final approval to a series of text amendments to the Greenville Development Code, following a 36‑month review by city staff. Changes include allowing tattoo studios in the Shopfront 2 District (MXS‑2), adding flexibility for qualifying projects in the Downtown Design Overlay, modifying the sign ordinance, and updating the appeal process for administrative decisions. Earlier, at the Sept. 28 meeting, council members voted down a proposal to add new residential infill lot‑width standards.
Looking ahead
With the nonpartisan election ordinance set to take effect in 2027, Greenville voters will experience a new ballot structure aimed at reducing partisan influence in local races. The approved funding and annexations signal a continued focus on downtown revitalization and strategic growth. City officials expect the combined efforts to enhance economic opportunity while preserving the character of Greenville’s historic neighborhoods.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
