In the heart of Greenville County, a battle is brewing that encapsulates the tension between development and community preservation. The focal point of this conflict is Bruce Lake, a serene 15-acre reservoir nestled within the Bruce Heights neighborhood, near Furman University. This seemingly tranquil setting has become the epicenter of a heated debate over a proposed townhouse development that threatens to disrupt the lives of local residents and potentially harm the environment.
A Neighborhood’s Haven
Bruce Lake is more than just a body of water to the residents of Bruce Heights. Built in the 1950s for flood control, it has evolved into a cherished natural space where neighbors kayak, fish, and birdwatch. The lake is a place of recreation, relaxation, and connection with nature. It’s a sanctuary where residents can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the tranquility of the water and the surrounding woods.
The residents in this Bruce Heights Community, have a lot to say about the community’s relationship with the undeveloped land around them. For neighbors, Bruce Lake is an integral part of their lives, a place they hold dear and are determined to protect.
Development’s Threat
The tranquility of Bruce Lake is now threatened by a proposal to build 52 townhomes along its edge. The high density development, on just 5.5 acres, has ignited a firestorm of controversy and opposition from local residents and environmentalists.
The crux of the issue lies in the developer’s plan to use Bruce Lake as a detention pond for stormwater drainage. This proposal has raised serious concerns about the potential harm to the lake’s water quality and the broader environmental impact.
Environmental Concerns Take Center Stage
Environmentalists and residents alike fear that using the lake as a detention pond will have dire consequences for its water quality. The concern is that stormwater runoff from the townhomes, carrying pollutants from asphalt and roofs, will flow into the lake, contaminating its waters and harming the delicate ecosystem.
Frank Holleman, a local environmentalist and attorney, warns of the potential for the development to negatively impact water quality, with effects that could extend beyond the immediate vicinity. He emphasizes that Bruce Lake flows into the Reedy River, which in turn feeds into Lake Greenwood, a drinking water source for the Upstate. Holleman points out the historical significance of the Reedy River, which was used by mills in the early 1900s to discard chemicals and waste. He notes the efforts made since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972 to clean and preserve the river.
Holleman’s concerns are echoed by Erika Hollis, the clean water director for the environmentalist group Upstate Forever. Hollis stresses the importance of implementing the highest standards of stormwater management for any development that discharges into the Reedy River or its tributaries. She advocates for large wooded riparian buffers and other proven strategies to protect and improve water quality. The current plan, however, places townhomes close to the water’s edge, with no buffer.
A Difference of Opinion
Jay Martin, the engineer for the development project, asserts that he has “zero concerns” about using the lake as a detention pond and insists that it would not affect water quality. This starkly contrasts with the views of environmentalists and local residents, highlighting the contentious nature of the debate.
The Dam Dilemma
Adding another layer of complexity to the issue is the condition of Bruce Lake’s dam. A 2018 study by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) revealed the dam to be in “unsatisfactory” condition, indicating that its failure would pose a significant hazard to property, roads, and key infrastructure.
The current owner of the land, Leigh Colyer, has stated that the dam is undergoing another study by DHEC to determine if its condition has further deteriorated. Martin has said that his company plans to repair the dam as grading and construction for the townhomes is underway, and the townhomes would not sell until the dam was fully repaired.
The 2018 DHEC study highlighted several problems with the dam, including a spillway filled with debris, animal burrows, the need for a tree management plan, problematic beaver activity, debris blocking the inlet structure, and the need for grass cover or erosion protection.
Community Opposition
Beyond environmental concerns, residents of Bruce Heights and the surrounding area have voiced strong opposition to the development for various reasons.
Susan Powell, a Bruce Heights resident of over 50 years, while not using the lake for recreation, is against the townhome development, primarily due to the anticipated increase in traffic. “Traffic is terrible out here,” Powell says, highlighting the difficulties residents already face in accessing Poinsett Highway. She is also concerned about the lack of privacy that the new development would create, as her home faces the back of the development site.
David Teeter, the owner of Furman Barber Shop and a Bruce Heights resident since 1994, shares Powell’s concerns about increased traffic and has witnessed numerous car accidents on Poinsett Highway. “There’s been car accident after car accident here,” Teeter says, emphasizing the dangers of adding more traffic to the already congested roadway.
The sentiment that Poinsett Highway is frequently backed up, especially during peak hours when those living north in Travelers Rest try to make it downtown, is common among neighbors.
Governmental Involvement
Efforts are underway to address the traffic situation on Poinsett Highway. The Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study, the area’s metropolitan planning organization, has two traffic projects in the works. One project aims to add sidewalks to Poinsett Highway to enhance walkability and safety, while the other seeks to alleviate congestion at the intersection of West Blue Ridge Drive, State Park Road, and Poinsett Highway.
Greenville County Council Chair Willis Meadows, who represents the area, is also against the development.
The Approval Process
The development project is navigating a complex approval process. Arbor Engineering was set to present a preliminary plat plan to Greenville County’s Subdivision Advisory Committee on March 14. If the committee approves the plan, the county’s Planning Commission will then vote on the townhome subdivision in late April.
A significant factor in the approval process is a Bruce Heights neighborhood covenant for the lake, signed in 1989, which prohibits the use of the lake for stormwater drainage. Such neighborhood covenants are legally binding to the property owner. A Greenville County planner, when presented with the covenant by Wright, was unaware of its existence and is now taking it into consideration.
The proposed development has united the community while exposing the lack of protections inherent in Greenville County government where developers often get what they want because of long-standing relationships with Greenville County staff and Planning Commissioners.