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Planning commission approves annexation and NC-6.3 rezoning for 1.3-acre Desconda Drive site
Summary
The Florence City Planning Commission approved annexation and rezoning of roughly 1.3 acres at Desconda Drive and West Palmetto Street to NC-6.3 for a townhouse project, despite neighborhood objections and a commissioner recusal.
The Florence City Planning Commission approved annexation and rezoning of a roughly 1.3-acre parcel at the corner of Desconda Drive and West Palmetto Street to NC-6.3 for construction of townhouses.
The decision matters because the site is currently unzoned in the county and, if it remained in county jurisdiction, could be developed under less restrictive rules. Planning staff said annexation and the NC-6.3 designation would limit the range and density of uses the owner could pursue within the city.
Planning staff described the request as subdivision and annexation of the northern portion of the home-center shopping-center parcel with the intent to build townhouses consistent with the city's future land-use map. Staff also said the road and right-of-way were conveyed to the city at closeout of Villa Toscana phases 1 and 2, and that maintenance of common areas along the right-of-way remains the association's responsibility. "The applicant is requesting to subdivide off the northern, one little over an acre of it, annex that into the city and zone it NC 6.3," staff said during the report.
Two members of the public spoke. Ken Wenzel, who identified himself as representing the Built-to-Scott community, said neighbors attempted to negotiate with the developer but instead collected objection letters. "We have 61 of them right now signed by individuals within our community opposing this project," Wenzel said, adding his neighborhood has about 77 homes and roughly 175 residents. Louie Hopkins, the applicant, told commissioners he prefers townhouses because they would act as a buffer between commercial uses and single-family neighborhoods. "I think the townhomes are a good buffer between commercial and residential," Hopkins said, and warned that if the property remains in the county he could pursue higher-density apartments allowed under county rules.
A commissioner noted that the parcel is currently unzoned in the county and observed annexation would give the city more control over buffers and density than county rules. The chair on this item recused himself because of a personal conflict; Doctor Lawhorn acted as chair for the item.
A commissioner moved to approve the annexation and rezoning and a second was heard. The commission voted to approve the request; commissioners signaled four in favor and two opposed. The motion carried and the item was approved.
Planning staff said they will proceed with the administrative steps to effect the annexation and zoning change and that additional approvals, such as subdivision platting or site-review, will follow as required by city procedure.
