Very recently the Council adopted an ordinance proposed by Ward 1 Councilman Chad O’rear that would change the number of votes needed for council to override a recommendation of the Planning Commission from five to four votes. O’rear explained, “The change was proposed for several reasons, to give council the ability to have more oversight in development in Simpsonville and because council should not have to have more than a majority vote to decide how they accept recommendations from a Commission we appoint.”  

This new ordinance was exercised recently when the council decided, on a 4-3 vote, to deny a Major Change to a development on Neely Ferry Road near Plain Elementary that had been approved by the Planning Commission. Councilmembers had several reservations about the development including, Plain Elementary not being able to handle the potential influx of students, the loss of 1/3 of the green space, the change in design of the homes that would make the area not “Innovative” anymore, the addition of five more homes, and the additional traffic it would create.  

The planned development at 612 Neely Ferry Road originally proposed homes for aged 55 plus and was changed to allow family occupancy.●