Commission grants limited extension for residential uses, approves variance for reuse along South Bellaire Road

On July 17 the Columbia County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended a limited change of conditions and approved a variance related to a redevelopment project along Colonial Road and South Bellaire Road. Staff described a rezoning approved about a year earlier that allowed commercial uses but included a condition limiting residential occupancy of existing homes on several parcels. The applicant requested additional time; the commission approved a revised condition extending the conditional use for single-family residential occupancy for an additional 12 months from the Board of Commissioners’ approval date. The approved motion directs that if commercial development has not commenced on any subject property within the 12-month extension, the Board of Commissioners shall initiate rezoning those parcels back to R-2 single-family residential. Separately, the commission approved a variance at 307 South Bellaire Road to reduce the front building setback only for the existing structure so the house may be reused for professional or commercial purposes. Staff emphasized the setback reduction would apply only to the existing structure; if the building is demolished, the 125-foot setback applies to any redevelopment. Both recommendations carry forward to the Board of Commissioners for final action where applicable. Commissioners voted to recommend the revised change-of-conditions (motion carried 4-0) and to recommend the variance (motion carried 4-0).