Greer City Council met on September 8 and unanimously approved a major redesign of the Blaize Ridge development on Gibbs Shoals Road. The ordinance converts the remaining eight townhome parcels into five new single‑family lots, adding housing options for the 55‑plus community that already includes 57 single‑family homes and four townhomes.
Resident concerns and council oversight
Two residents who voiced support at the August 26 meeting also warned that some promised amenities might remain unfinished after the developer’s bankruptcy last year. In response, council members asked city staff to explore tools—such as requiring developers to post performance bonds—to ensure future projects are completed as promised.
Water‑infrastructure financing approved
The council also gave a first reading to two separate borrowing measures for the Greer Commission of Public Works. The first measure seeks $1.9 million from the South Carolina Water Quality Revolving Fund Authority to install 6,600 feet of eight‑inch pipe along East Poinsett Street, expanding capacity for industrial customers during high‑demand events like fires.
The second measure would borrow $4.2 million from the state’s Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund to replace 12,500 feet of wastewater force main along U.S. Highway 101 near the BMW Manufacturing plant. The upgrade will connect to the plant’s pump station, providing redundancy and a modest capacity increase for lines installed when the BMW facility opened.
CPW General Manager Marc Regier clarified that these projects are distinct from routine maintenance and upgrades financed through $33 million in revenue bonds approved in May.
Dissent and next steps
Councilman Karuiam Booker (District 2) was the lone dissenting vote on both borrowing measures, citing concerns about potential ratepayer impacts and urging stronger assurances that the financing would not raise utility costs.
Both measures now require a second reading, scheduled for the council’s September 22 meeting, before they can take effect.
The Blaize Ridge redesign and water‑infrastructure investments reflect Greer’s ongoing effort to balance senior‑friendly housing growth with reliable utility services for residents and local industry.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
