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Easley council denies rezoning request for 738 East Main Street
Summary
On Jan. 13, 2025, the Easley City Council voted 7-0 to deny an ordinance that would have rezoned about 0.815 acres at 738 East Main Street from residential (R7.5) to general commercial. Council members cited neighborhood character and nearby residential uses; applicants may reapply for neighborhood commercial as soon as February.
The Easley City Council voted unanimously Jan. 13 to deny Ordinance 20-2415, a second-reading proposal to rezone approximately 0.815 acres at 738 East Main Street (the corner of South D Street and East Main Street) from R7.5 (residential) to general commercial.
Councilwoman Denise Davidson moved to deny the rezoning, saying she believed a neighborhood-commercial designation would be more ‘‘conducive to the neighbors’’ than general commercial. Mayor Talbert called the question and the council recorded the vote as 7 in favor of denial, none opposed.
The vote follows public comment from residents who said they were concerned rezoning to general commercial would harm property values and change the residential character of the surrounding blocks. Angela Moss told the council she and her neighbors purchased homes in the area as ‘‘downsized’’ residences and worried a general-commercial zoning would suppress property values and alter the neighborhood’s character. ‘‘If we can’t be assured that our property values will hold, what are our choices?’’ she said.
Council discussion noted East Main Street contains a mix of commercial and residential parcels but that the immediate area around the subject property contains more residences, which influenced members’ recommendation to preserve the current zoning. Council members also said the owner can pursue a different zoning classification: city staff said the owner may apply for neighborhood commercial as soon as February if the developer seeks that less-intensive designation rather than waiting a year.
The ordinance described the parcel as about 0.815 acres at 738 East Main Street; the measure was introduced as Ordinance 20-2415. No amendments to the motion were recorded. The council did not take other action related to the parcel during the meeting.
The denial concludes the second reading process for Ordinance 20-2415; staff noted the applicant may file a new application seeking neighborhood commercial zoning at the next available cycle.
