During their meeting Tuesday, Pelzer Town Council approved a zoning change request for Upper Mill property that will pave the way for a $10 million senior housing development planned for Pelzer.
Carter Massingill, of Gallivan White Boyd Law Firm, spoke during a public hearing held on the rezoning of the Pelzer Heritage Commission (PHC) Upper Mill property. The zoning on the property is being changed from Industrial to Mixed Use in preparation of Cadence Development and Tapestry Development Group purchasing the property from the PHC, with plans for an affordable senior housing development for ages 62 and older.
Massingill said the developers have just gone through a difficult grant application process and were recently awarded a $10 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD for the project.
He said the development will incorporate the remaining warehouse building and new construction with gardens, new lighting and infrastructure, appliances, ADA compliant facilities and high speed internet. The one bedroom units are designed for occupation by two people, he said. “There will be green space in the middle,” Massingill said. “It will be a very nice community space for the seniors who live there. It will be safe, nice housing and will benefit the town.”
The facility will also have an activity center which can be used by the surrounding community.
Larry Coker of PHC spoke in support of the rezoning and asked Council to approve first reading. He said it includes five acres at the Upper Mill site and there is a $9.7 million or more complex planned for the propety. The project will also go before the SC State Housing Authority for possible additional funding, he said. Senator Mike Gambrell is helping with that request.
Council unanimously approved the zoning request later in the meeting.
“I am very excited for PHC and all the hard work during the last ten years,” Mayor Will Ragland said. “It is a long awaited and hard fought accomplishment.”
“I am excited to finally see some progress on the mill site property. We look forward to welcoming our future neighbors.”
Coker said the rezoning of the property is the first step. “We have just signed an extended contract with Cadence Development for purchase of the property.” The rezoning still has to go before Council for a second vote and will go before the State Housing Authority for approval after that. Coker said he expects the property sale to Cadence to happen in early 2024.
In other business, Council approved one of two recommended appointments to the planning commission. Planning Commission Chair Laura Rainey recommend Jane Frye and Caroline Walters for two positions on the Town’s new planning commission. Walters was unanimously approved by Council to serve on the commission. With a 2-2 vote, Frye was not.
During public comments, Wayne Hughey stated there has been a lot of discussion about where to put the Pelzer Veterans Memorial. “We want it in Wardlaw Park.”
Larry Coker, who is heading the project for the PHC, said “We have $110,000 raised and Meredith Signature Homes to build it for free.” The memorial was originally planned for a site at the Lower Mill property. Coker said with recent problems and issues with vandalism, they are considering a different location. He said the Upper Mill and Monkey Park have been considered, but a social media survey on several local pages showed 99 percent of the people who responded recommended it be placed in Wardlaw Park. Wardlaw Park is located behind the Pelzer Gym. Coker asked Council to consider this issue. “This is where we would like to see it,” he said.
In her report, Town Clerk Cheryl Bates said there were 33 traffic incidents, 85 contacts, 24 calls for service and 5 arrests.
Bates said the Pelzer Christmas Market has been canceled due to a lack of response for vendors. “We only had 14 applications,” she said. Potential vendors told her there were alot of other fairs at the same time. She recommended the town consider having the market next year with the Christmas Parade or the third Saturday in October.
Council approved a bid of $7,200 by HVAC Doctors for a heating and cooling system for the basement of the gym. Mayor Ragland said the system should also help with dehumidifying moisture. Funding will come from the Hospitality Tax fund.
Council then went into executive session to receive legal advice.
