Sumter County council approves first reading for rezoning at 425 Merle Beach Highway; sewer service cited as condition

Sumter County Council approved first reading of a rezoning request for approximately 37 acres at 425 Merle Beach Highway, advancing a proposal that county planning staff said would allow up to a roughly 111-unit residential development if city sewer service becomes available.

County planning staff described the item as RCD2422, saying the applicant — with Allen Stevenson identified as the authorized agent for Peach Truelock LLC — asked to rezone about 37 acres from its current designation to an R-6 residential district. “RCD2422 is a request for 425 Merle Beach Highway,” planning staff said. “This is a request to rezone approximately 37 acres of land.”

Planning staff told council the site connects north to the Sherwood Forest neighborhood, borders Allied WES property to the east, and is wooded. Staff said the parcel is in the county’s Suburban Development planning area in the Comprehensive Plan 2040 and recommended approval, calling the proposed density compatible with nearby subdivisions.

“Applicants are working with the city to get outside city public services,” planning staff said, adding that the project’s “functionality will be dependent upon obtaining sewer service to the property.” County staff and attendees noted the county does not operate sewer service and that obtaining sewer from the city — including potential pump-station modifications — is an unresolved condition.

Council members discussed alternate zoning if sewer service is not obtainable; one member asked whether the applicants had considered an R-15 district. Planning staff said R-6 permits a broader range of housing types and does not allow manufactured housing by right, and that R-6 zoning would not preclude later development at smaller lot widths if the developer chose.

Council also asked whether properties beyond the rezoning site could later connect to city utilities; county staff said the city typically reviews service on a case-by-case basis and that annexation agreements are commonly used to set terms for future service and automatic annexation when city limits expand.

A motion to approve first reading was moved and seconded; the council voted aye with no opposition and approved first reading of the rezoning request. The planning commission had previously recommended approval.

The council did not adopt a final ordinance in this meeting; staff emphasized that the ultimate lot sizes and unit count depend on the applicant securing city sewer service and any annexation agreements that may be required.

Provenance (transcript evidence): planning staff presentation beginning with the description of RCD2422 and the 37-acre figure; council discussion about sewer service and city annexation; motion and vote approving first reading.