Sterling Community Master Plan - Greenville County

Sterling Neighborhood Master Plan July 2010
5.1.5 Housing Development Activity
For the most part, new housing development in
Sterling consists of scattered new construction by
regional and local non-profit housing agencies.
The northern portion of the neighborhood has been
influenced by increased investment in the West
End Neighborhood and by commercial investment
along Pendleton Street. This area of Sterling has
experienced at least two major redevelopment
projects—a condominium development on
Arlington Avenue between Memminger and
Mallard Streets, and a series of new homes on
Judy Street just north of Dunbar Street.
New Houses on Judy Street
The southern portion of the neighborhood has had fewer new houses constructed and less
housing maintenance. Absentee landlords who have not made property improvements own
much of the rental property. This disinvestment has been furthered by a lack of public
investment in the community’s infrastructure. Also, struggling homeowners are unable to
undertake essential home maintenance. While there are current programs and partners available
to assist with property maintenance issues and tenant rights, there is a need for greater
coordination and sharing of information on the appropriate programs, agencies and application
processes.
5.1.6 Mission/Goals
Future investment in the neighborhood should be guided by the following goals in order to
revitalize the Sterling Neighborhood and promote housing opportunities that will retain existing
residents and attract new ones:
• Preserve the current housing stock of the neighborhood wherever possible. Although the
housing fabric of Sterling is not architecturally significant, it represents a special sense of
place and must be respected to ensure a continued feeling of community and neighborhood
identity.
• Encourage increased housing opportunities for home ownership and an improved balance
between housing ownership and rental. The overall goal is to provide a range of housing
opportunities and types.
• Ensure sanitary, safe and energy-efficient housing for homeowners and renters. Promote
home maintenance programs, encourage responsible management of rental properties, and
enforce applicable building maintenance codes.
• Encourage diverse housing types within the neighborhood to provide housing for persons of
all ages and life needs.
• Encourage quality building rehabilitation and new construction that complements existing
buildings and the context of the neighborhood, and incorporates EarthCraft, Energy-Star, and
Universal Design standards.
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Continuing the community legacy and leadership