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 In 2002 City Officials and local business leaders formed a Redevelopment Plan that would improve the quality of life and increase business opportunities in the downtown area by focusing on changing blighted areas to thriving business areas and improving conservation areas that would otherwise continue to decline. However, municipal funds are limited and the City of Easley could not finance the redevelopment plan. However, by taking advantage of S.C. Code Ann. 31-6-10 et seq. the City will utilize the Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
The objectives of the Redevelopment Plan are as follows:
- To improve the function and appearance of the downtown and the city as a way of
strengthening its position to attract new residents and investment.
- To enhance the role of downtown Easley as the City’s primary economic and community center and to sustain and improve the value of existing properties in the downtown area.
- To increase the tax base of all local governments through the attraction of new jobs and businesses to the City.
- To maintain and enhance the community’s quality of life through strategic investments in public facilities including the improvements to roads, parks, and public facilities.
 Under the TIF Law the most notable conditions showing blight within the Redevelopment Project area are (a) the age and dilapidated conditions of various structures and facilities; (b) deterioration; (c) obsolescence of much of the existing house; (d) lack of community planning prior to development; (e) deterioration of structures in neighboring areas adjacent to vacant land within the project area (f) presence of structures below minimum code standards; (g) inadequate utilities; (h) overgrown vacant properties; and (i) excessive vacancies.
Under the TIF Law the most notable conditions to qualify as a conservation area are (a) dilapidated conditions of various structures and facilities; (b) deterioration; (c) obsolescence of much of the existing housing; (d) lack of community planning prior to development; (e) presence of structures below minimum code standards; (f) inadequate utilities; (g) overgrown vacant properties; and (h) excessive vacancies.
In conjunction with this plan an Architectural Review Board was created. This board must hear all improvements being made to the downtown area. Application must be made to the board for all new buildings, additions, exterior improvements or changes to the property and signage in the downtown TIF District. Click here for an
application. If you are not sure if your property is part of the specially created TIF
District, consult the TIF map below. To view special
stipulations for this district, Click
HERE
to view this section of the revised 2004 Zoning
Ordinance.
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