Introduction |
Feb 15, 2007 |
The property under consideration for planned development, Ottaray, has been owned by the Harper family for almost half a century, with three generations of the family having lived on the land. The name Ottaray comes from the Cherokee name for the mountains and foothills of the Carolinas, and was used as the name of one of the first hotels in downtown Greenville where the Hyatt sits today. The family feels a keen sense of obligation to preserve the special characteristics and natural beauty of the area as much as possible. A special feature of the property is a beautiful and pristine 50 acre lake. A sanctuary area with a potential future chapel is being considered for a small island in the lake commemorating the first generation owners, Elizabeth and Caldwell Harper, and highlighting some of the many 
contributions they made to the Greenville area during their lifetimes. Having already successfully developed nearby Huntington, the family has a passionate determination to see that future use of this land be a credit to the legacy of the family and a benefit to the neighbors and many friends that have lived along side of them and visited the premises during their stewardship.
The owners and development team feel that this property will best serve the community as a Planned Development. Greenville County established the Planned Development District (PD) zoning to encourage innovative and creative designs of residential and neighborhood commercial developments such as Ottaray. The goals of the PD district are to promote efficient use of the land and protect the natural features and scenic beauty of the land while providing a full range of residential facilities and neighborhood commercial and public services. Ottaray has been planned in response to these PD district goals, and fulfills the wishes of the neighbors who have recently provided input to the County Planning Commission as it developed the recently completed Scuffletown Road Area Use Plan.
A key feature of Ottaray is the incorporation of the concept of the Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND). A growing nationwide trend in new urban development, several Traditional Neighborhood Developments have been introduced to Greenville over the past few years. Ottaray is joined by Redfearn & Verdmont, Sycamore Ridge, Tuscan Woods, Villagio de Montebello, and the recent additions of Acadia, Griffin Park, and Verdae as examples of the TND design movement. TND communities appeal to active retired adults, baby boomers, young families and singles who prefer the feeling of a neighborhood with a “sense of place” feeling. Ottaray achieves this sense of place by preserving much of the natural surroundings, showcasing the centrally located 50 acre lake, incorporating a town center, and by guiding the construction of architecturally interesting homes and buildings with sustainable quality. Pedestrian orientation is maintained throughout the community, with walking trails that will eventually connect to the county wide “greenway” trail system provided that a satisfactory arrangement agreeable to all concerned parties can be reached.
The Town Center is envisioned as a “cobblestone village”, similar in size and scale to Greenville’s Lewis Plaza on Augusta Road. The retail/commercial portion of the town center is patterned after the concept of a neighborhood center, serving not only Ottaray but the neighboring communities as well. The town center will also incorporate “livework” units designed for small professional offices and retail boutiques, and a variety of restaurants and public services.
