The Talking Rock Town Council voted to rezone a 5.7-acre parcel identified as Parcel 011-018-001 from R‑1A (residential‑agriculture) to C‑1A (limited commercial) and granted a conditional‑use permit to allow a wedding and event venue on the property. Council members approved the rezoning and conditional use by a 5‑0 vote.

The rezoning was requested by applicants Christopher and Whitney Bennett. Council members read a set of conditions into the record that limit the permitted use to an assembly hall for events and weddings, require events to end by 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends, and require any driveway access that falls within unincorporated Pickens County to meet county encroachment and Pickens County standards. The permit conditions also require compliance with state fire code regulations for fire apparatus and emergency vehicle access, including a minimum width of 26 feet and a maximum grade of 12%.

Christopher Bennett, the applicant, read the driveway and access conditions during the public hearing and described technical requirements for the access. He told the council that “the driveway shall have a radius no sharper than 28 degrees to facilitate ingress and egress.” The council also recorded technical standards including a minimum of 40 feet of 18‑inch HDPE or corrugated metal pipe for certain crossings and a chip‑seal or asphalt surface for at least 30 feet from the point of access onto Fisher Creek Road.

At least one member of the public spoke during the hearing. Washington Roberts told the council he had contacted a Mr. Wells with EPD and said he was informed that Mr. Wells “would approve the driveway.” The council left the public hearing open for additional comment before closing the hearing and voting on the rezoning and conditional use.

Council members clarified during the vote that the approval is limited to use as a wedding/event venue and does not permit other commercial uses on the site. The motion to rezone and grant the conditional‑use permit carried 5‑0.

The council’s conditions require applicants to obtain any necessary county encroachment or easement permits for driveways that fall within Pickens County jurisdiction; the transcript records the requirement to “comply fully with all the same conditions as required by Pickens County” but does not specify which Pickens County ordinance or permit form must be used. The applicants and town will need to secure those external approvals before constructing the required driveway or opening the venue.

No application fees, bond amounts, or a schedule for inspections were specified in the record. The town did state the parcel size as 5.7 acres in the read resolution.

Planning staff or county officials were not recorded on the final vote; the council’s tally was announced as 5 out of 5 in favor.