[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6535700,"mediaKeyId","3384665-967fb5c383e666e38b4115752df99865","parentId",3384665,"title","Watershed study recommends FEMA buyouts for repeatedly flooded Fox Hollow; county, city pursue grants","audioSeconds",643,"startMs",6733000,"endMs",7376000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3384665-967fb5c383e666e38b4115752df99865&start=6733&end=7376","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3384665-967fb5c383e666e38b4115752df99865/thumbnail_6733000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6535700/Greenwood-City/Greenwood-County/South-Carolina/Watershed-study-recommends-FEMA-buyouts-for-repeatedly-flooded-Fox-Hollow-county-city-pursue-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535700-17065fc07d266578dfa28faa2e8cd54d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443089&Signature=iB81amARJwQkAmdZbk6wkuxrmPRhYDv1fS3-E89Febj~qwSDNZr8iEtKGsgI8~Traq9RPcjnKnbPLY0ZaXupJ1Axql8vwKTs1j6RvZcYGsjCt4HfNbvLeIdm3YFtAHcf7RWeLja5D8HweIRBDpcIKRUFwslMG5k396FExXafLae1P8L~E-Ff3RmNPcHPcTTAYQL1fqBlwdL8J3ZMDKL2~FWBzwSCi0SMunwJbDGreGUE4gQx7jGI19RaF8ZT59IWg3Bmw2RjGm0-XaSFSTGhIJzXhRPy8jd~sj8axGMuNJ4wpouZEhRHeEMS58EI5XdRRBhyAcrFjhvNQc8OXXhX1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Greenwood","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","City and county officials told Greenwood City Council that a watershed study supported by the 2016 Capital Project sales tax recommends pursuing property buyouts under a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant for Fox Hollow townhomes after repeated flooding.

Josh Skinner presented the watershed-study update and told council the study — funded at $1,747,000 under the capital-projects sales-tax program — modeled four watersheds and identified 21 problem areas, split into tiered priorities. The consultant (Wolpert Engineering) took a deeper look at seven sites, including the Fox Hollow/Halterwanger area, and recommended buyouts for the Fox Hollow townhome units as the preferred long-term solution.

\"They found that the best solution for that area was to buy out the properties using a program through FEMA, where you can get grant money to buy out homeowners that are in the flood plain or in the floodways, provided that once you buy them, you demolish them and remove them forever,\" Skinner said.

Skinner and staff said the county submitted a mitigation application that requests approximately $3,200,000 to cover acquisition, closing costs, asbestos abatement, project management, demolition and the required local match. Under the Hazard Mitigation Grant program described in the meeting, FEMA would provide 75% of the grant award; the remaining 25% is a local match. The application listed an estimated local-match amount of roughly $820,000; council and staff discussed sources for that match at the meeting and noted that the county had said homeowners would be involved in funding the local match — an item staff said needed clarification.

Staff reported that all 19 property owners in the Fox Hollow townhome complex have signed letters indicating willingness to participate in the grant application, which staff called a major step forward. The application was filed with the state emergency management office (SCEMD) and, if advanced to FEMA, could receive a decision in 12–18 months or, staff said, possibly up to 24 months.

Skinner outlined near-term steps: the county and city will continue internal outreach with residents; follow federal application timelines (SCEMD reviews before FEMA); and pursue potential state or local funding sources for the non-FEMA match if needed. Council members asked whether DOT and other agencies could assist with clearing clogged culverts and ditches in the near term — a separate short-term mitigation step staff said was already underway but that the city and DOT would continue to coordinate.

Why it matters: Fox Hollow flooded multiple times (2015; hurricane-related event; recent weekly flooding cited by staff), and residents remain dislocated or at ongoing risk. A buyout and conversion to permanent open space is a longstanding mitigation option that eliminates repeat losses but requires grant funding, demolition, and a local match. The city and county jointly pursuing the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant positions the neighborhood for a federal-funded mitigation solution but leaves a local funding question to resolve.

Details from the study and grant application
- Study funding source: 2016 Capital Project Sales Tax (project budget cited: $1,747,000). Consultant: Wolpert Engineering; watershed analysis included Currituck/Cr - transcript excerpted.
- Fox Hollow action recommended: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant buyouts, demolition and conversion to permanent open space.
- Application amount referenced: $3,200,000 (covers acquisition and related costs); FEMA share: 75%; local match: 25% (approx. $820,000).
- Timing: SCEMD reviews before FEMA submission (state scheduled an Oct. 1 submission window); staff estimate FEMA decision window of 12–18 months, possibly 24 months.
- Participation: Staff reported all 19 property owners signed to participate in the application; the last signatures arrived the week of the meeting.

Staff cautioned that a FEMA grant requires a perpetual open-space maintenance obligation after acquisition and that a local match must be identified if FEMA funds are awarded.

Speakers and next steps
- Presenter: Josh Skinner (watershed study update); other city staff and county representatives participated in Q&A. Council asked staff to continue outreach to Fox Hollow residents and to coordinate with DOT and state agencies on near-term ditch/culvert clearance while federal grant processes move forward.

Sources: Greenwood City Council meeting transcript; watershed study summary presented to council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City and county staff told Greenwood City Council that a watershed study recommends pursuing FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant buyouts for Fox Hollow townhomes after repeated flooding, and staff said all 19 property owners in the complex have signed participation letters.","taxTitle","Greenwood City, Greenwood County, South Carolina","taxId",54778,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6535704,"Council approves changes to lien timing, bans encampments on public property and renews soccer lease; several rezoning items split",163,4668000,4831000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3384665-967fb5c383e666e38b4115752df99865&start=4668&end=4831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3384665-967fb5c383e666e38b4115752df99865/thumbnail_4668000.jpg","/articles/6535704/Greenwood-City/Greenwood-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-changes-to-lien-timing-bans-encampments-on-public-property-and-renews-soccer-lease-several-rezoning-items-split","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535704-ea275a3fbe9915287d2aabac19483807/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443089&Signature=X21LkDIfQs5jhBGwA4~lcuJvlx4ZVhONJI0JXnrdCf2yiGVxavpIYWOo~g9i5xxfh7oSqUCk-cQD1LnSqdp22DY5M882s4-rPuKjCd8qPPIuYKfL6FBsaR7yIhlgCANTSR9h2R7l~EObvF8zsDC6wlML9fcS5KrLQx~mUyWH5EK74o6r8-pmR-PVwvgDTMvBIvRKKS9L6zmhJSmhMPBco~ld-C91XCZaKL9LAH3wc1V8jFZrFS9Q6SyVnOAT9BW01B~uGUjW1TMwGAuAt5Pe8iMX3ayH1-nTsb4MorP1nUdxYdeJHtjPgm~sgdy5z0Kf8K3Jielyp21yDfu~M~HJKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greenwood City Council voted on multiple ordinances and land-use items during its regular meeting, approving changes to lien-filing timing, a new ordinance prohibiting encampments on public property, and an updated lease for a local soccer club while taking mixed action on rezoning requests.

The council unanimously approved ordinance 25-005 to amend the city code to remove references to 30- and 60-day delays before the city files liens in court, directing that liens be filed “as they are incurred.” The vote was recorded as 7-0 in favor.

Council also adopted ordinance 25-006, which adds an ‘‘encampments on public property’’ article to the municipal code (chapter 36, article 8). The ordinance makes it unlawful to camp or maintain an encampment on public property — including streets, sidewalks, open space or waterways — and authorizes removal after written notice posted at the encampment. It creates an expedited three-hour abatement option for imminent public-health or safety threats and includes an express penalty provision requested by the municipal judge. That measure passed unanimously, 7-0.

Separately, the council approved on second reading ordinance 25-008 authorizing the city manager to execute an updated site lease with the Lincoln Torres Soccer Club (described in the packet as a local soccer organization). The updated lease extends the term through Dec. 30, 2035; council members said budgeted funds are available for planned site improvements tied to the lease. The ordinance carried, recorded as unanimous by the members present (vote tally shown as 6-0 in the record; one council member stepped out earlier in the meeting).

Land-use and rezoning actions were mixed. Council postponed consideration of a rezoning request involving property on Maxwell Avenue — the motion to postpone was moved and carried unanimously and the item was rescheduled for the June 16 meeting. A later rezoning request for 202 Mineral Court to a master-planned residential district (described by staff as a proposed 60-unit, two three-story building development funded in part by low-income housing tax credits and increasing density to just under 20 units per acre) passed on second reading by a 6-1 vote. Council also denied a rezoning request for 217–219 Durst Avenue (ordinance 25-011) by unanimous vote, and approved rezoning 216 Harvey Avenue (ordinance 25-012) from Neighborhood Commercial to RM-7 (residential manufactured housing) by a 5-1 recorded vote.

Council handled a procedural zoning matter for a proposed rezoning at 701 Chase Avenue (first reading). Members voted to send that request back to the planning commission for reconsideration to ensure the commission had the corrected future land-use map and full information — the motion to return the item to planning commission carried unanimously.

Other formal actions included the council appointment of Keith Jamieson to the accommodations tax advisory committee; the appointment was approved by vote (recorded as carried). Several routine consent-agenda items were approved at the start of the meeting.

Why it matters: The lien and encampment ordinances change how and how quickly the city may act on property liens and on campsite removals on public property, including adding a narrower expedited abatement process for health-or-safety risks. The rezoning approvals and denials will affect housing density, redevelopment sites and future permitting in the identified neighborhoods.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 25-005 (amend city code chapter 18 and cross-reference in chapter 28) — motion to approve; mover: Mister Dean; second: Miss Huddl; vote: 7-0; outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 25-006 (add article 8, encampments on public property, chapter 36) — motion to approve including added penalties; mover: Mister Bass; second: Miss Huddl; vote: 7-0; outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 25-008 (update site lease with Lincoln Torres Soccer Club) — motion to approve (second reading); mover: Reverend Edwards; second: Miss Hutto; vote recorded as unanimous among members present (6-0 recorded); outcome: approved.
- Rezoning, 359 Maxwell Avenue (rezoning request; item referenced in the record with ordinance number 25-009) — motion to postpone until June 16; mover: Reverend Edwards; second: Mister Bass; vote: unanimous; outcome: postponed to June 16 for further information.
- Rezoning, 202 Mineral Court (master-planned residential, 60 units; referenced in the record with ordinance number 25-009) — motion to approve; mover: Mister Dean; second: Miss Hutto; vote: 6-1; outcome: approved on second reading.
- Rezoning, 701 Chase Avenue (first reading; approx. 2.7 acres from R-4 to R-7) — motion to return to planning commission for reconsideration with corrected future land-use information; mover: unidentified in transcript motion text (council motion recorded); second: Mister Bass; vote: 7-0; outcome: sent back to planning commission.
- Rezoning, 217–219 Durst Avenue (rezoning from R-4 to R-7; ordinance 25-011) — motion to deny; mover: Miss Huddl; second: Mister Bass; vote: 7-0; outcome: denied.
- Rezoning, 216 Harvey Avenue (NC to RM-7; ordinance 25-012) — motion to approve; mover: Mister Dean; second: Reverend Edwards; vote recorded as 5-1; outcome: approved.
- Appointment: Keith Jamieson to the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee — motion to appoint; mover: Miss Otto; second: Reverend Edwards; recorded as carried.

What the minutes show: The transcript records speakers calling out ordinance numbers during each public hearing and roll-call votes when motions were approved; where the transcript listed the same ordinance number (25-009) for two different rezoning items, councilmembers later discussed scheduling and clarification; the record does not resolve the duplicated ordinance reference in the agenda packet. The council asked staff to supply any additional requested materials ahead of postponed items.

Sources: Greenwood City Council meeting transcript (public hearing and new business sections).","Greenwood City Council on an evening meeting approved changes to the city code governing lien filings, adopted a ban on encampments on public property with an expedited abatement option for health-and-safety risks, and renewed a lease with a local soccer club while taking mixed action on several rezoning requests.","actionData","errors"]

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Watershed study recommends FEMA buyouts for repeatedly flooded Fox Hollow; county, city pursue grants

Council approves changes to lien timing, bans encampments on public property and renews soccer lease; several rezoning items split