CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston City Council approved five zoning and development items at its Dec. 17 meeting, including a rezoning request to change 1733 Main Road from single-family residential (SR-2) to residential office.

City planning staff presented five items that had all been recommended for approval by the Planning Commission. They included: the rezoning of 1733 Main Road; a rezoning on Daniel Island at 1683 Oakleaf Street from Daniel Island Park zone to Daniel Island conservation to accommodate a cell tower; a third amendment to the Magnolia development agreement to add property formerly used by Parker Marine; an ordinance amendment to permit alternate members on the Boards of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission; and the annexation and SR-1 zoning of a property at 901 Millers Drive.

The Planning Department’s presentation said of 1733 Main Road: "This is 1733 Main Road. It's a request to go from single family residential SR 2 to residential office." The staff presentation noted the site sits at the corner of Brownswood Road and Main Road and that the change to residential office is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan suburban designation. For the Daniel Island parcel, staff said the 1.82-acre tract would be rezoned to match adjacent conservation zoning to permit a cell tower to improve coverage on the island's southern end.

At public comment, residents raised both safety and reuse concerns. Lauren Mili, a resident who identified herself as living on Summer Trees on John’s Island, said traffic at the Main Road intersection is already heavy and that the rezoning "is going to be something much more disruptive in the future"; she expressed concern for children and parking. Property co-owner Sarah Young said she and a partner bought 1733 Main Road, renovated it and sought a low-intensity business occupant: "I don't believe this would be a disruption. It would be a very calm CPA firm. There's ample parking behind the house." Staff replied to Councilman Brady that "there would not be a traffic study required for such a low intense use," noting the residential-office classification is the least intense commercial category and must retain a residential character.

Council members spoke in favor of activating a long-vacant property and said the comprehensive plan limits more intense commercial uses. Councilman Higgins said the proposal "seems like kind of a no brainer" and observed that a small CPA office would likely produce less traffic than a large household with many occupants. After discussion, a motion to approve items 1 through 5 was made, seconded and adopted by voice vote. The clerk recorded that the "Ayes have it." A subsequent motion to advance items 1, 2, 3 and 5 to third reading also carried.

The council packet and Planning Commission recommendation were cited repeatedly during the presentation and debate. The council also acknowledged receiving two online comments opposed to the rezoning of 1733 Main Road.

The rezoning and development agreement amendment now move forward per the usual reading schedule and any required final readings or administrative steps specified in city code.