GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Greenville City Council approved the first reading of a penny sales tax ordinance. If the measure passes all readings, the tax would not apply to gas, groceries, or medications.
Most of the revenue generated by the tax would go toward road improvements and other infrastructure projects.
“This provides a way to address those two main issues,” Mayor Knox White said. “The things our residents care most about is public neighborhood infrastructure and public safety. So I think we’ll continue to have an open process. We have a lot of explaining to do.”
A project preview meeting is scheduled later this month where residents can ask questions about the proposed tax.
The city council discussion comes as Greenville County Council is also considering a penny tax ordinance.
Residents push back on proposed North Main development
Also at the meeting, community members spoke against a proposed development in the North Main area. The project would place homes on two lots on East and North Avondale Drive.
Neighbors said they have concerns over traffic, safety, and the potential impact on the character of the neighborhood.
North Main resident Ron Werntz said the scale of the project does not fit the area.
“In all of the 53 years that we had lived in our home there have only been two houses,” Werntz said. “We believe that the proposed seven houses is too many. Going from two homes to seven would not fit the character of the north main area.”
Developer Anthony Gallo, of The Gallo Company, said the concerns are being taken seriously.
“All of your concerns are being heard and I want to reiterate we are working with all the appropriate people at the city addressing all of your concerns,” Gallo said.
Council did not take any action on the development but said they are looking into neighbors’ concerns.
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