Dear Neighbors,
We wanted to share an important update regarding the Owens Glen subdivision and the ongoing efforts by the developer, Forestar Group (also known as D.R. Horton), to move the project forward despite overwhelming community opposition.
In August of this year, Forestar obtained a sewer easement from ReWa for $27,000. This prompted some suspicion on our side and after numerous calls and conversations with County Council and Planning Commission members, we are increasingly concerned that the developer is attempting to revert to the preliminary plan that the Planning Commission wrongfully approved in August 2024.
This plan was previously considered dead because the developer could not obtain the proposed sewer easement through County-owned land. However, we have now learned that Forestar is seeking to use a private sewer easement from the neighbor instead — and they are asking County Staff to treat this as a “minor amendment.”
If County Staff classifies this as a minor change, it will not go back before the Planning Commission for a vote, effectively allowing the development to proceed without public oversight. This is the same easement that the Planning Commission rejected when they voted down the 2025 plan earlier this year.
This situation is deeply concerning. County staff must be held accountable, and this subdivision should not be allowed in our rural area — especially when it conflicts with both the Plan Greenville Comprehensive Plan and the Piedmont Plan.
Our strength is in our numbers. We need everyone to speak up now and make their voices heard. Please email the following individuals and express your opposition and concern regarding this situation:
📰 Media Contact
Alexa Erbach (Fox Carolina) – alexa.erbach@foxcarolina.com
🏛️ Greenville County Planning Commission
Steve Bichel (Chairman) – sbichel@greenvillecounty.org (Voted yes in 2024)
Deborah Manning – dmanning@greenvillecounty.org (Voted no in 2024)
Frank Hammond – fhammond@greenvillecounty.org (Voted yes in 2024)
James Wood – jwood@greenvillecounty.org (Voted yes in 2024)
Jonelle Phillips – jophillips@greenvillecounty.org (Voted no in 2024)
Denise Franklin – dfranklin@greenvillecounty.org (Voted no in 2024)
John Holland – joholland@greenvillecounty.org (Voted yes in 2024)
Kenneth Matesevac – kmatesevac@greenvillecounty.org (New, n/a in 2024)
Corey Parham – wparham@greenvillecounty.org (New, n/a in 2024)
🗣️ Greenville County Council
Joey Russo (District 17) – jrusso@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 483-0689
Kelly Long (District 18) – kelong@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 410-6172
Benton Blount (District 19) – bblount@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 483-2474
Steve Shaw (District 20) – sshaw@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 553-9713
Curt McGahhey (District 21) – cmcgahhey@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 398-0721
Frank Farmer (District 22) – ffarmer@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 398-0880
Alan Mitchell (District 23) – amitchell@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 483-6952
Liz Seman (District 24) – lseman@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 501-4126
Ennis Fant, Sr. (District 25) – efant@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 483-2433
Rick Bradley (District 26) – rbradley@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 483-3090
Garey Collins (District 27) – gcollins@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 398-2709
Dan Tripp (District 28) – dtripp@greenvillecounty.org | (864) 915-9212
General Comments: council@greenvillecounty.org
We urge everyone to email today. Be respectful but firm — let County officials know that we, the residents of Piedmont, oppose the revival of this project and demand that the County uphold the law and the Comprehensive Plan.
We’ve already shown what community strength looks like — 253 residents signed the original petition in just three weeks, and now we are over 900 strong. Let’s continue to stand together to protect the integrity and safety of our community.
Thank you all for your continued support and determination.