Planning Board recommends rezoning of Bowen Road parcel to allow 1.8-acre division

At its March 11 meeting, the Effingham County Planning Board voted to recommend that the Board of Commissioners rezone about 1.8 acres of a 17.53-acre parcel at 3368 Bowen Road from AR-1 to AR-2 to allow a one-acre-scale division to create a home site.

The rezoning request, submitted by applicant Keith Lancaster, was presented to the board by Liz Sapp, Land Use Planning Analyst, who said the change was necessary because Effingham County’s ordinance requires AR-1 parcels be five acres or larger and the owner proposes a family subdivision that would create a smaller lot. Sapp told the board staff recommended approval with conditions that the development services office review and sign the plat, that the plat be recorded before the zoning change takes effect, and that the mobile home on the parcel be readdressed to 364 Bowen Road.

Lancaster told the board his intention is to give a parcel to a family member: “My daughter’s lived there for over 21 years now,” he said. No members of the public spoke in opposition. After brief discussion, a motion to recommend approval was made and seconded; the board voted in favor and the chair reminded attendees the final decision will be made by the Board of Commissioners at its April 1 public hearing.

The action before the planning board was a recommendation—final approval requires the county commissioners’ vote at the April 1 meeting. The staff conditions remain in effect as part of the board’s recommendation.

The board’s packet lists the parcel as Third District, map 318, parcel 7B. The record shows no formal roll-call tally in the planning-board minutes beyond the board announcing the motion carried with no nays during the meeting.