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Planning commissioners approve rezoning for half-acre Orange Grove Road parcel to allow urban residential
Summary
Charleston County planning commissioners unanimously approved rezoning a 0.5-acre parcel on Orange Grove Road from R4 to UR, a change staff said is consistent with the comprehensive plan and would allow missing-middle housing types.
The Charleston County Planning Commission voted to approve a rezoning request for TMS 352-13-00-069 (1488 Orange Grove Road), changing the parcel from Low Density Residential (R4) to the Urban Residential (UR) zoning district. Staff recommended approval, saying the requested zoning is consistent with the comprehensive plan's Urban-Suburban Mixed Use designation and with nearby land uses.
Marshae Miller, planning staff, told the commission the half-acre parcel currently contains a single-family home and an accessory storage structure; the parcel is inside the county's urban growth boundary and is near services, retail and employment opportunities. The UR zoning district allows up to 16 dwelling units per acre and a range of housing types (multifamily, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes) by right. Miller said some site constraints (trees, setbacks, buffers, parking and stormwater) would likely reduce the number of units actually achievable and that the parcel's size would limit development to a maximum of about eight units given typical standards.
Applicant Nate Hertel, a local residential builder and the property owner, said he intends to build a mix of townhouses and possibly one detached home, preserving a notable live oak on the lot. Hertel said attached townhouses would produce more affordable family housing than single-family detached homes and cited local sales-price comparisons to support the affordability argument.
Staff reported two written comments in opposition and none in support; the case was noticed as required. Commissioners discussed the application as an example of "good density," noting the parcel is within a connected street network, on high ground and within walking distance of commercial nodes. Commissioner Luke Morris described the application as the kind of incremental, pedestrian-scaled increase in housing he supports.
A motion to approve the rezoning passed on roll call with unanimous aye votes from the commissioners present. County Council will also consider the request: a public hearing is scheduled for May 13, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers and the Planning & Public Works Committee will consider the item on May 22, 2025, at 5 p.m.; council must complete three readings for any final action.
Staff noted that, although UR allows higher density by right, actual development will be subject to site constraints and standard permitting processes including site plan, stormwater and tree-preservation requirements.
