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Council approves second reading to rezone small East Camden church property
Summary
Kershaw County Council approved second reading of a rezoning request to change about 0.5 acre behind a church in East Camden from residential to B-2 business zoning to allow future expansion and community services.
Kershaw County Council approved the second reading Tuesday of a rezoning petition that would change roughly a half-acre behind an East Camden church from residential to B-2 business zoning to allow the church room to expand for worship and community outreach.
Pastor Jones, who spoke at the meeting and read prepared remarks, said the church serves as a community hub and needs space to expand: "As our church continues to grow and serve the community, we would like the residential part of our property to be rezoned to business... Extend and improve our facility for worship and community outreach." He said the parcel was about half an acre and bounded on at least two sides by existing business properties.
The nut graf: Staff and legal advised the rezoning does not create a spot-zoning problem because adjacent properties already carry B-2 zoning; council members framed the request as a small, site-specific allowance rather than broad policy change.
County legal counsel (Mr. Bass) told council there were no spot-zoning concerns given adjacency to B-2 properties and that staff materials show uses of adjoining properties. Council members who spoke in favor described the church as a community staple that hosts civic organizations and outreach programs.
Councilman Shoemake said he typically hesitates to rezone to more permissive uses but supported this request as an exception: "You're bordered on two sides by the zoning you wanna go to... You're talking about a small parcel... I'm fully supportive of this."
The council voted unanimously in person and by the remote member to pass the second reading; the clerk recorded a yes vote from Councilman Tucker. Council members told the pastor there will be a third reading at the council's Nov. 18 meeting.
Ending: Because the request is on second reading, proponents must return for the third and final reading scheduled for Nov. 18; staff will keep the applicant informed about submittal requirements and timing.
