Plans to annex 135 acres along Woodruff Road into the city of Greenville cleared a procedural hurdle Aug. 6 with the city’s Planning Commission voting to approve the measure and send it to City Council for consideration.
The area to be annexed includes about 88 acres of real property, the bulk of which consists of the Merovan Business Center. About 48 acres of right-of-way are also included in the proposal.
If approved, it would represent the single largest single annexation into the city since the Cherrydale area along North Pleasantburg Drive and Poinsett Highway in 2024.
The measure uses the 75% annexation method authorized by state law. Under that method, 75% of property owners representing at least 75% of the assessed value of the property being considered for annexation must indicate a willingness to be annexed via a signed petition.
The 75% method does allow annexation of properties whose owners do not wish to be annexed.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the measure and establish zoning classifications of Business General District (BG), Business Heavy District (BH) and Industrial Flex District (IX).
During the public hearing portion of the meeting, the only speaker asked if the industrial flex district zoning would allow for heavier industrial uses. Answering for staff, Senior Development Planner Austin Rutherford said the proposed zoning matches the county’s existing zoning — S1 Services — for the property and that staff is not aware of any proposed changes in use.
The measure now moves to Greenville City Council, which is expected to conduct a public hearing and consider first reading of an annexation ordinance during its Aug. 24 meeting. Such an ordinance would require two readings before taking effect.
Community members can speak during the public hearing without prior notification.
