Planning commission sends unfavorable recommendation on Beasley's Bend rezoning after neighbors object

At its May meeting the Hartsville-Bridal County Planning Commission voted to send an unfavorable recommendation to the county commission for a rezoning request to change a 5.5-acre parcel on Beasley's Bend Road from A-1 (agricultural) to R-1 (residential).

The applicant’s representative, Ray Hubner, told the commission the owner seeks to divide the tract into two lots of about 2.75 acres each and build one house on each lot. "We are proposing there's a 5 and a half acre tract at Beasley's Bend that we are proposing to cut into 2 and 2 2 and 3 quarter acre tracts out there...we're just looking to take the 5 acres and cut it into 2 lots. We'll put 2 houses on it," Hubner said.

Neighbors who spoke opposed the rezoning. "We are opposed to the idea of subdividing the tracts...It's a rural area, and we like it that way," said a resident, Mr. Nichols. Dean Sprague, who said he lives across from the parcel, described noise and substance issues tied to smaller, older 1-acre lots nearby and said additional subdivision would change the character of the area.

Planning staff presented environmental and subdivision considerations during the discussion. Planner Amanda said the rezoning "is generally consistent with Chastell County's future land use plans and growth management policies" and that the site "access to water service and road frontage meets minimum subdivision zoning requirements for R-1," while noting floodplain at the rear of the parcel "may limit the development of that portion." Staff recommended approval "subject to any future development conforming with subdivision regulations and environmental limitations related to the floodplain," Amanda said.

Commission members asked about lot perc tests and road-frontage requirements; one resident said preliminary soils work indicates the lots could support 4-plus-bedroom homes. County staff and an engineer cautioned that the parcel’s width-to-depth ratio and existing road frontage could require a road or cul-de-sac for a subdivision to meet zoning standards.

Commissioner Carmel moved to forward the rezoning request to the county commission with an unfavorable recommendation; Commissioner Katie seconded. The motion carried with six votes in favor and one opposed. The planning commission noted that its recommendation will be advisory: only the county commission can rezone property.

The county commission is expected to consider the request at its next meeting in late May; planning staff asked members of the public to watch that agenda for the formal rezoning hearing.