Hello REALTORS®,
It has been a busy Spring in local government in the Western Upstate. Nearly all local governments adopted budgets for their new fiscal years, but not all of them. One neighboring county, Greenville County, showed why it is important that local governments have a budget at the start of their fiscal years on July 1. Greenville County Council flirted with a government shutdown by failing to approve their budget at their regular meeting on June 20. They ultimately approved it at a special council meeting on Friday, June 23.
These are some of the important issues that we also are following:
Anderson County
- Tree Ordinance: a draft has been circulated and discussed in committee. The county does not currently have a tree ordinance.
- Stormwater Design Manual: a fee increase and some additional changes to beef up the county’s stormwater management program were approved by a committee of county council this week. Your association has been involved in drafting the changes.
- RV Park Ordinance: the county does not have an ordinance to regulate RV parks. A draft that your association reviewed will go to county council next week.
City of Anderson
- Tree Ordinance: revisions to the existing tree ordinance received final reading this week.
- Sign Ordinance: an overhaul of the sign ordinance received first reading this week. Your association commented on the ordinance.
Easley
- Zoning Ordinance: an overhaul of the ordinance received first reading this week. Your association commented on the ordinance and disagrees with a proposal to treat properties in the same zoning district differently based on the size of the property.
Clemson
- Impact Fees: Clemson commissioned an impact fee study and incorporated a new fee structure into their budget. They will consider a new impact fee ordinance this summer. Your association is reviewing the ordinance and the study.
Oconee County
- Automatic Zoning of Unzoned Subdivisions: the Planning Commission considered and tabled an ordinance we called the 20 40 Ordinance. It would have automatically zoned parcels 20 acres or 40 lots or larger when subdivided. Most of the county is unzoned. Your association sought a legal review of the ordinance through NAR’s Land Use Initiative.
Elections
2023 is considered an “off election year.” Some politicos call these “the odd years.” But there are regular elections in the odd years: city elections. And there are often special elections.
There was a special election in Liberty on July 27 to fill an at-large seat on Liberty City Council. Zach Arms, a social studies teacher at Liberty High School, succeeds Chuck Powell, who passed away earlier this year. Arms was 2022 Pickens County Teacher of the Year and a finalist for 2023 South Carolina Teach of the Year. He will be on the ballot again in November.
There will be regular elections in these cities on November 7:
- Pendleton: Ward 2 and 4
- Belton: Mayor, Ward 2, 4, and 6
- Honea Path: Ward 1, 3, 5
- Easley: Mayor, Ward 1, 3, 5
- Central: 3 at-large seats
- Pickens: Mayor and 3 at-large seats
- Liberty: Mayor and 2 at-large seats
- Seneca: 4 at-large seats
- Walhalla: Mayor and 4 at-large seats
- Westminster: Mayor and 3 at-large seats
Walhalla City Council could see five of seven councilmembers replaced next year. Mayor Danny Edwards announced he is not running for reelection, and councilmember Tyler Jordan recently resigned. Because his resignation is within 180 days of a regular election, that special election will be held on November 7.
Elections are an important way that your association represents you and helps make a strong market for real estate. Through RPAC, we support pro-business candidates who understand the importance of a vibrant economy for real estate. You can help by supporting RPAC. It’s easy. Your association includes a voluntary contribution to RPAC on your annual dues invoice. Pay it, and you are an RPAC supporter. If you haven’t supported RPAC this year, I encourage you to do so by clicking here.
Michael Dey, Director of Government Affairs