Here’s a recap of Greer City Council’s Feb. 24 meeting:
Approved: Closure of Moore Street
Council gave final approval to an ordinance abandoning and closing a portion of Moore Street to facilitate railroad safety improvements at the South Line Street crossing.
The issue is that section of the city-owned street intersects South Line Street inside the crossing arms, which creates a serious safety issue.
The road closure was prompted after the city was approached by the state Department of Transportation and Norfolk Southern to explore remedies to the safety issue. City Administrator Andy Merriman told council those discussions indicated the simplest solution was to close and abandon the portion of Moore Street between First and South Line streets.
Councilman Jay Arrowood was the lone dissenting vote and expressed the belief that the railroad should compensate the city for abandoning the street. The remainder of council indicated ensuring the safety of citizens was a higher priority than seeking compensation for the street closure.
Approved: Annexation of property on McElrath Road
Council unanimously approved the first of two readings of an ordinance that would annex 17.4 acres on McElrath Road into the city and establish an initial zoning category of traditional neighborhood.
City Planning Manager Ashley Kaade said the property owner’s intent was to develop a single-family detached neighborhood on the three parcels to be annexed. She said preliminary plans envision 57 units and that staff was recommending approval.
The city’s planning commission is scheduled to conduct a public hearing on the proposal March 9.
