Planning commission approves Charleston Highway rezoning for freight and container facility

The Dorchester County Planning Commission voted to rezone about 11 acres along Charleston Highway (TMS 013-00-00-011) from AR (agricultural/residential) to CLI (commercial light industrial) to permit a ground freight transport facility and storage of transport containers.

Staff recommended approval, saying the property is located in the employment/mixed-use area on the Future Land Use Map, that the CLI district allows the proposed freight and light-industrial uses, and that the parcel is large enough to accommodate required buffering from adjacent residential properties. Staff cited Dorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards, Ordinance O-4-13, including section 5-6-1 on nonconforming uses and section 7.9.10(a) requiring a conceptual plan when mapping CLI. Staff noted that approval of the rezoning would not constitute approval of the conceptual site plan; any redevelopment would require Technical Review Committee review and possible traffic studies or off-site improvements.

The applicant was identified in the packet as Big Brother USA LLC; the applicant contact listed was Elliott Locklear, PE. Commissioners asked whether existing access points would be reduced; staff said site design remained conceptual and any final access would be subject to S.C. Department of Transportation review. Commissioners asked about sound mitigation; staff replied that required landscape buffers are the primary tool to increase compatibility with adjacent residential areas. The motion to recommend approval passed by voice vote.