Commission approves rezoning of 1.5 acres on Willow Road to allow second single‑family lot

The Pickens County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a rezoning request (RZ191004) that will reclassify 1.5 acres of a 7.86‑acre parcel at 124 Willow Road from small agriculture to rural residential to allow the property owner to create two single‑family lots.

Charles, staff member for the planning office, described the parcel (listed in staff materials as 018030005) and said the property lies within the county’s rural residential character area, which the staff said encourages low‑density residential development and preservation of open space. "The staff recommends approving the rezoning request for a 1.5 acre portion of a 7.86 acre tract...the purpose of this request is to create two lots allowing the applicant to build two single‑family dwellings to assist their parents," Charles said.

The record indicates the applicant sought the subdivision so a second house could be constructed for the applicant’s parents; the applicant was not present at the hearing. Commission members opened a public hearing, confirmed no one spoke in opposition, and then moved to recommend approval. The motion passed by voice vote; a commissioner noted that one named commissioner (Gaffney) was not present for the vote.

No conditions or development approvals beyond the rezoning recommendation were recorded in the hearing. The staff presentation included the site’s location at the southwest intersection of Highway 136 and Little Lane and repeated that the requested change is consistent with the rural residential character area of the county comprehensive plan.

The commission closed the hearing after the vote; staff and commission remarks did not specify a timeline for lot recording or building permits.