Spartanburg County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Spartanburg County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Data Center Development Moratorium
Three development agreements are headed through the process: a high-performance computing center on S. Pine Street and data centers on Tyger River Industrial Drive and near Jones Road (~137 acres). These deals shape where large industrial-tech facilities land and what the county gets in return.
Automatic License Plate Reader restrictions
An ordinance would limit who can use automatic license plate readers and how the data they collect can be used, with penalties for violations — a privacy-versus-policing question.
Wrecker service and towing rule overhaul
Chapter 82 would be amended to revise the Sheriff's Office wrecker rotation list, wrecker operating requirements, and rules for nonconsensual towing from private property.
Woodruff-Roebuck Water District bonds and service area
The water district would be authorized to enlarge its service area and issue up to $20 million in general obligation bonds to fund water infrastructure.
Joint industrial park agreements with Cherokee and Union counties
A slate of ordinances would create, amend, or dissolve joint industrial park agreements with Cherokee and Union counties — adding and removing Spartanburg property from shared parks used for economic development deals.
Development Agreements for Numara, LLC and Valara Holdings, LLC
A dozen fee-in-lieu-of-tax and joint park ordinances are being considered for companies including Michelin, Milo's Tea, Red Rock, Airsys, Pivot Energy, and others. These deals reduce what companies pay in property taxes in exchange for investment and jobs.
Zoning permit extensions
Two projects — Tyger Pines in District 6 and The Trailer Park in District 2 — are seeking more time on their zoning permits through the consent agenda.
Roadside parking ban in unincorporated areas
First reading passed of an ordinance banning parking, stopping and standing along certain county roads — a safety measure that will affect drivers and residents along the designated roads once finalized.
2910 E. Main Street developments
Two projects at the same East Main Street address — a commercial subdivision and a townhome development — are up for commission action in District 3. Whatever the commission decides shapes retail and housing growth along that corridor.
Police Chief Appointment
Spartanburg has a new police chief: Art Littlejohn was just sworn in. If you care about public safety and how the department runs, he’s now the person to watch.
Front Setback and Bufferyard Variances for Chavez Property
The owner of the Chavez Property at 2034 Chesnee Highway Unit C is requesting two variances: a 39-foot reduction in the front setback from a minor road and a reduction in the left-side bufferyard requirement.
Setback Variance Request at 1401 Asheville Highway
Gustavo Martinez and Elda Cruz are requesting a 28-foot variance to reduce the front setback from 50 feet to 22 feet at 751 New Cut Road in Una.
Sheriff's Office Grant Applications and Law Enforcement Resources
Council approved multiple grant applications for the Sheriff's Office to secure funding for advanced forensic DNA testing, ballistic vests, and laboratory equipment upgrades, bolstering departmental capabilities without county matching funds.
FY 2026-2027 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan Adoption
County officials reviewed ongoing transportation improvements, noting over $161 million collected in revenue and significant progress on subdivision reclamation, intersection upgrades, and downtown capital projects.