Public hearing held on rezoning request for 5327 Bush River Road; no council vote

Lexington County held a public hearing April 22 on zoning map amendment application M24‑01 for 5327 Bush River Road. Planning staff introduced the request as an application to rezone the approximately 3.5‑acre parcel from C‑1 (neighborhood commercial) to C‑2 (general commercial) to allow a mini‑warehouse (self‑storage) development. The applicant’s agent, Paul Michaud of Cross Engineering Services, spoke in favor and described the proposal.

Michaud told council the planned layout would leave about 200 feet of undisturbed wooded perimeter on the south and west sides of the site adjacent to existing residential parcels to provide screening. He said the proposed build‑out would include about 125 storage units of varying sizes, a stormwater pond and a perimeter fence designed to limit trespass. Michaud said the developer staged an on‑site charrette and placed signage inviting public feedback; he told council no one attended the neighborhood meeting but that one adjacent property owner called to offer to sell additional land.

Planning staff explained the site’s surrounding pattern of zoning, noting multiple past map amendments in the area and that the property is in Council District 7. The staff presentation referenced the parcel’s tax map number and the November 15, 2024 application date. The council chair read two emailed submissions into the record but said no vote would be taken that evening and that he intended to speak with residents in opposition before any later council action. Council gave each speaker three minutes and received no in‑person speakers in opposition; the public hearing was concluded without a council vote.

The rezoning request will return to council for decision at a later meeting after councilmembers have had an opportunity to review public input and staff materials.