More than 3,200 people have signed a petition protesting a proposal for a new luxury resort hotel on Paris Mountain.
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TRAVELERS REST, S.C. —
More than 3,200 people have signed a petition protesting a proposal for a new luxury resort hotel on Paris Mountain.
Developers say they're listening to neighbors' concerns and working to keep them in mind.
Neighbors say they worry the development would change the wildlife and landscape beyond recognition.
Folks on Altamont Road like it quiet.
"You can just hear nature sounds, and it feels like an oasis," said Ben Alier, who lives across from the proposed site.
When the news broke that a resort hotel was being proposed on Altamont, some neighbors took action.
Casey Cooperman created a petition that's received more than 3,200 signatures.
"When the news broke about this resort, I honestly had the gut feeling that it was wrong. And so, I tried to follow my gut," she said.
Alie signed the petition. "It really does look pretty," he said. "I just wish it was maybe pretty somewhere else."
The Divine Group
Signs protesting the proposal line part of the road.
The Inn at Altamont is a proposed four-star hotel on Altamont Road in Greenville County. Developers tell us it would have 150 guest rooms, a rooftop bar, a spa and mountaintop views.
The Divine Group
The proposal details setting half the land aside for public use, hiking trails and picnic areas.
"That was a big passion of mine to have some kind of public access on Paris Mountain. Even to this day to if you want to be able to enjoy the beauties of Paris Mountain, you either have to have a very expensive home or pay a state park and then hike to be able to see," said Krut Patel, the developer with the Divine Group.
While neighbors say they want a nice hotel in the city, they don't want it in their backyard, and they disagree on what should be there.
"I'm hoping that maybe, possibly one day, there could be a conservation easement. Or maybe it could be used for an eco-lodge, some other type of business," Cooperman said.
"I think it would be foolish to say, like, 'Oh, it's forever having to stay woods.' That's -- I think that's a bit naive," Alier said.
We reached out to developers about this. They responded with this statement:
"Travelers Rest is 'The Coolest Small Town in South Carolina,' and we aim to share what makes this community so special with others in a way that ultimately benefits the area through more jobs, more consumer spending, and more revenue for infrastructure and the school district.
"Originally, we were drawn to the idea of developing luxury condos or a for-rent apartment complex on the property--which is what it is currently zoned for--but we realized there was a potential to have a greater impact to the local community with less development.
"Since beginning work on this project in 2022, we have made it a priority to leave no stone unturned, commissioning third-party studies on potential impacts to traffic and the environment--both of which found no cause for concern, designing the property to seamlessly blend into its surroundings, and ensuring the beauty of the Paris Mountain viewshed is not impacted.
"We're excited about the project and have received great feedback from local business owners and others who know just how impactful this could be. I'm looking forward to meeting with community members Monday night at 6PM to showcase our thoughtful plan for The Inn at Altamont."
We reached out to the city of Travelers Rest about this. It said this is in such an early stage that it has not received an application with information yet.
A public meeting on the proposed development will be held February 10 inside the Younts Conference Center at Furman University. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.