Wedding & Event Venue Near Spartanburg, SC.

Opponents of an RV park say they have no plans to back down from a fight to keep it out of northern Spartanburg County.

The latest efforts concern a contested septic permit that the developer needs from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control before the park can be built.

The nonprofit S.C. Environmental Law Project (SCELP) in Georgetown has agreed to represent four Campobello-area homeowners groups that have filed an appeal with the S.C. Court of Appeals over the septic permit issue.

The appeal seeks to overturn a Nov. 29 S.C. Administrative Law Court (ALC) decision that reinstated the previously DHEC-staff approved septic permit – which the DHEC Board had overturned.

The appeal was filed on behalf of The Enclave at Fairview Farm, Golden Hills of Fairview Homeowners' Association, Greenspace of Fairview, and The North Pacolet Association (also known as Caroland Farms).

SCELP claims DHEC staff did not properly notify residents prior to issuing the septic permit, leading to what the ALC determined was an untimely appeal by residents.

"DHEC's actions, solely, shut the public out of the process and prevented their ability to seek legal recourse," stated Leslie Lenhardt, senior managing attorney at SCELP. "The continued lack of transparency by DHEC when it comes to offering public notice of septic tanks continues to be problematic across the state."

SCELP: Septic system inadequate

Lenhardt also believes the septic system planned for the RV park is too small for the anticipated volume of waste, "risking irreparable harm to the Upstate – including citizens' health, drinking water quality risks and environmental damage."

"It will sit just above a creek which flows into the North Pacolet River, eventually reaching Lake Bowen, a watershed that is the primary source of drinking water for the City of Spartanburg," Lenhardt said.

At issue is a proposal by a developer, Blue Sky Associates, to build T. Tree Farms RV Park on a 38.68-acre property at 1970 Landrum Mill Road east of Interstate 26 and southeast of Landrum in northern Spartanburg County.

RV park site surrounded by horse farms, conservation protections

The site is near the middle of thousands of acres of rolling hills, farmland and horse farms protected by conservation protections and restrictive covenants. The mountain views of nearby North Carolina serve as a backdrop.

The Spartanburg County Planning Commission gave conditional approval on March 2, 2021. The approval required the developer to obtain public water from a new line extended from Interstate 26, a DHEC-approved septic system and a traffic plan approved by the county's engineering department.

At that time, Planning Commission Chairman Whit Kennedy said Blue Sky's plan met all requirements laid out in the county's Unified Land Development Ordinance.

Residents fight RV park plan approvalNorthern Spartanburg County residents fighting approved RV park plan in Campobello

Campobello-area residents mounted a campaign to try and stop the RV park, saying they didn't learn of the project until after it was approved.

They cited the potential for runoff and septic tank overflows from the site polluting a nearby creek that flows into the Pacolet River, a drinking water source for the Spartanburg Water System.

Opponents make caseRV park opposition

Also, the roads leading to the park site are narrow and winding, incapable of safely accommodating the increase in recreational vehicle traffic, residents said.

In addition, Katie Ellis, president of the S.C. Native Plant Society, said the proposed site overlooks Goldmine Creek, which is a habitat for two of South Carolina's rarest plants – the dwarf-flowered heartleaf and the ashy hydrangea.

In June 2021, DHEC staff issued a septic permit to the developer. And the four homeowners associations representing more than 100 members and three conservation groups appealed to the DHEC board of directors.

In December 2021, the DHEC board voted to rescind the septic permit that was issued by DHEC staff in June, stating the developer's application was flawed because it proposed an undersized septic system.

Blue Sky Associates then appealed to the state Administrative Law Court (ALC).

Residents take fight with ALC to S.C. Court of Appeals

Nearly a year later on Nov. 29, 2022, the ALC overturned the DHEC board's decision, ruling that the board "acted outside of its authority" and that the residents' request for final review was not timely. The ruling reinstated Blue Sky's septic permit that was originally approved by DHEC staff.

Residents vow to continue RV park fightHere's how northern Spartanburg County residents vow to keep fighting proposed RV park

Then on Dec. 20, 2022, the homeowners' groups filed an appeal with the S.C. Court of Appeals. The case has not yet been heard.

In a related development, Jeff Walker, general manager at Inman-Campobello Water District, said plans to extend a public water line east of Interstate 26 on Landrum Mill Road to the RV park site were scrapped. Having public water was one of the conditions for approval set by the Planning Commission on March 2, 2021.

Meanwhile, last month on Feb. 8 Blue Sky Associates withdrew the original plan and submitted a new application to the county Planning Commission, which reduces the number of RV spaces from 50 to 49; and states that drinking water will be provided by an on-site well instead of a public water line.

Tuesday night, the Planning Commission voted 6-2 to approve the new site plan contingent on approval of a stormwater permit, and an on-site well permit from DHEC.

Noticeably absent from the conditional approval are a required traffic study and septic system permit – both of which the developer claims have already been met.

Meanwhile, Sally Rock, a representative from the Golden Hills of Fairview Homeowners Association, said the fight goes on.

“We are grateful for SCELP’s assistance in protecting the drinking water of our conservation-focused community,” said Rock. “Many citizens of the Upstate stand to be impacted from the harmful and irreversible effects of the proposed RV park.”

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The early results of a survey found a large percent of Spartanburg county residents are burdened by the cost of rent, mortgage and other housing needs. The county is trying to find solutions.

Like much of the upstate, Spartanburg County is in the middle of a growth spurt. County leaders are trying to make sure there’s enough housing for all income levels.

“People hear the word “affordable housing”, it has a connotation people think it’s one sort of housing but really, everyone’s definition of affordable is different” said Scottie Kay Blackwell, the Communications Manager for Spartanburg County.

The population boom across the upstate has made way for a boom in housing. But, a lot of the new housing might only be affordable to some.

“Roughly 95% of renters said that they had difficulty finding housing that is affordable” said Blackwell, referring to the preliminary results of a housing survey.

Blackwell says now the county is forming a way to increase the availability of housing for everyone. It’s one of the priorities listed in their 5-year Strategic Plan. But first they need to know the obstacles and what type of housing people need.

“This survey is a way for citizens to give us their feedback and to really have a voice in the future of housing in Spartanburg County” she said.

Initial survey results show people want more single-family homes, senior living, townhomes and tiny homes. Previous county data shows there’s a need for more than 2,000 rental units for those considered extremely-low income.

“So the goal behind this assessment is to increase the availability of housing units that are affordable and accessible to people and families of all income levels and all ages” said Blackwell.

The survey is open until the end of this month. After that, the consultants form a plan of action. Considering the types of housing needed, the price ranges and locations. Then present it to the county council for approval, that could happen as soon as next month.

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Copyright 2023 WHNS. All rights reserved.

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Just as the current penny sales tax is about to end, it could be hanging around a bit longer. Spartanburg County Council is debating asking voters to decide if that tax should continue.

The first penny sales tax in Spartanburg County was approved by voters back in November 2017.

County council could be asking voters to approve another 6 years of the one cent tax, with the money going towards fixing roads.

“Every day people are asking us fix the roads,” said county councilman, David Britt.

In Spartanburg County, there are quite a lot of roads to be fixed.

“From Spartanburg to Phoenix, Arizona if you backed all the 1,730 miles, it would take you to Phoenix,” said Britt.

Leaders said the penny sales tax is one way to get that work done.

“It would make a huge, fast difference in the road conditions that we currently drive on, and that’s what most of the people are asking and pleading for,” said Britt.

The first penny sales tax funds are being used to build a new courthouse along with a joint city-county government complex, among other projects.

“From ’17, when it was passed then, we were hoping that the one cent sales tax would generate about $300-$325 million, and it’s exceeded far beyond our imagination,” Britt said.

It is not just residents who are contributing to the tax.

“Everybody shares in this. If you stay at a hotel, if you eat in a restaurant, you’re paying the one cent sales tax,” said the councilman.

Clothes, shoes, and restaurant food are all taxed an extra cent. Grocery store items and medications are exempt.

“I have not had anybody complain to me that that one penny sales tax has caused them not to buy that Coca-Cola, or a Milo’s Tea, or a honey bun,” said Britt.

If the penny sales tax is extended for six years, Britt said, that’s $478 million to be spent on county roads, the ones with the red bird image on them.

“They’re in need of $500 million just to get them up to where, not only will they be satisfactory, they will be safe and helpful,” he said.

They would also work with partners to fix state roads, the ones with the state symbol on the sign.

“Not just to be able to drive on a new, smooth paved road, but to drive on safe roads that will protect them and their families. That’s what we’re all here about,” stated Britt.

Another focus would be improving county bridges.

Britt said a committee must be formed first, the committee will make a detailed presentation to council and then council will vote. All of this must be done by August 15 to get on the ballot.

The current penny sales tax runs out in April of 2024. Britt said any money left over from that will go towards fixing roads.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - For months now, the City of Spartanburg has been working to figure out what’s next for Morgan Square. Last year they formed a committee to generate some ideas and now, they’re asking you. Tuesday night, they held a community workshop at C.C. Woodson Community Center.

The city needs and wants input to move forward and begin creating designs. But with so many thoughts and ideas, the real challenge is finding a plan most people will be happy with. When the drawing table is empty– no idea, is a bad idea.

“What made me come out today was to make sure that everybody has a chance to come together up under one area, all colors and all ages, so that we can just enjoy Spartanburg together,” said Spartanburg resident Darline Ross.

A city survey found 84% of people say it’s the food that brings them to Morgan Square, while only 34% say shopping. And some business owners want the square to bridge that gap.

“As a downtown resident and downtown business, I would like Morgan Square to be a jumping off point, I would like people to come downtown to Morgan Square, and from there know where they can go eat, know where they can go shop” said Tori LeRoy, the Co-Owner of Two Doors Down Boutique.

The city closed the road early in the pandemic to allow outside dining. But LeRoy says fewer parking spots interfere with business.

“It definitely impacted our business. It definitely hurt us so we would like to see change” she said.

Others love the pedestrian friendly feel.

“Walking does not bother me. So if I have to park one block away I mean, it’s nothing” said Spartanburg resident, George Loudon.

Neighbors learned about the process, sketched designs and wrote their visions for the square during the meeting.

“As soon as we get the input from the community, we’re going back to the design team so they can go ahead and put some schematics together, some drawings together,” said Mayor Jerome Rice.

Mayor Rice says from here they’ll work on getting more input by visiting businesses and setting up more meetings. We’ll keep you updated as plans progress.

Copyright 2023 WHNS. All rights reserved.

GREER, S.C. —

Thousands of I-85 drivers pass by an eye-catching glass and white building off Highway 101 between Greenville and Spartanburg every day, but how many have actually taken the time to go inside?

The streaming series "Eat, Play, Stay" episode called "Spin and Shag in Greer," available on Very Local, gives us a peek inside the BMW Zentrum.

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The 28,000-square-foot, one-of-a-kind complex is a museum that celebrates both the history and future of BMW, and its almost 30 years in the Upstate.

Very Local

The BMW facility in Spartanburg County opened for production on July 11, 1994. The first vehicle produced was a white 318i on Sept. 8, 1994.

Guests can take a self-guided trip through the museum to see that vehicle and others, including the Z3 first featured in the 1990 James Bond film, "GoldenEye."

BMW

Zentrum traces BMW vehicles from beautifully restored classics to current best-sellers, with exhibits that feature state-of-the-art technologies, including rarely seen exclusive models.

If you've never taken the trip to this uniquely Upstate attraction, whether you're a BMW fan or just a car enthusiast, the Zentrum is definitely worth the pit stop.

Watch the entire "Eat, Play, Stay" episode, with this and more restaurants and hot spots in and around Greer, by downloading Very Local on your smart TV or device.

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