City Council Approves Westside Annexation for Future Apartment Development

At their recent meeting, Spartanburg City Council gave final approval in a 5-2 vote for an annexation of two parcels on Franklin Avenue to allow construction of a new 288-unit apartment complex.

Mayor Junie White and Council member Sterling Anderson voted against the annexation, citing opposition from nearby county residents. The developer, Hotchkiss Development Group, LLC requested the annexation because the city’s development standards allowed for more units to be constructed on the site. County rules would’ve only allowed 200 units.

Prior to the vote, several county residents from the area voiced opposition to the annexation, claiming that the development would increase traffic, noise, and crime. Answering questions from council members about the traffic concerns at the busy intersection of Franklin Avenue and Highway 29, City Manager Chris Story said that traffic issues at the intersection would likely not be addressed at all without the City’s involvement, as SCDOT and Spartanburg County have not discussed improvements to the intersection.

For more from the recent city council meeting, see the full video below.

Prepared by the City of Spartanburg.