Commission recommends C2 rezoning for Bush River Road site to allow mini‑storage; asks that buffers be maintained

Lexington County planning commissioners recommended that county council rezone a vacant 3.5‑acre property at 5327 Bush River Road from C1 (neighborhood commercial) to C2 (general commercial) to allow a proposed mini‑storage (self‑storage) facility. The recommendation passed by majority vote.

Applicant Paul Michieux presented a preliminary site concept showing buildings clustered inside a disturbed footprint with significant undisturbed buffers retained along property edges. Staff said if the property were zoned C2 the proposed self‑storage design would meet setback, screening and stormwater requirements and could be permitted at staff level through the normal site‑plan and permit review process; the site would still require DOT access approval, landscape review and stormwater permitting.

Under the current C1 classification the mini‑storage use is not permitted. The applicant’s packet notes the parcel is in the older Euclidean C1/C2 zoning area established in the 1970s and that the requested rezoning would be consistent with several prior nearby C1→C2 map amendments. Staff and commissioners encouraged the applicant to minimize clearing and preserve evergreen buffers, noting natural vegetation provides the best screening and reduces the need for extensive replanting later.

Commissioners also noted that rezoning to C2 would not automatically approve a site plan or remove landscape, stormwater or DOT requirements. A motion to recommend approval to county council passed; the recommendation will be included in the committee memo to council for final action.