Sumter County council advances rezoning for former Gamecock Shrine Club to allow event center

Sumter County Council on second reading approved RZ2516, a rezoning request for about 5.58 acres at 1865 U.S. Highway 15 South that would change the parcel from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to General Commercial (GC) to permit a special events facility.

Kyle Kelly, planning staff, told the council the site — the former Gamecock Shrine Club on the southern quadrant of Old Manning Road and U.S. 15 South — lies adjacent to industrial and commercial zoning and “the request aligns with the 2040 comprehensive plan.” Kelly said the Planning Commission had recommended unanimous approval.

Talmadge Tobias, speaking on behalf of applicant Tyler B. Dunlap Jr., described the project as a renovated event center and said it would not itself hold an alcohol license: “They will not have [an alcohol license]. Anyone using the facility that wants to have alcohol will have to go through that process themselves,” Tobias said. He also said leases will require security.

After the public hearing and a motion, the council adopted the measure on second reading. The rezoning expands the range of permitted commercial uses on a site currently developed with a building that formerly housed a shrine club.

The council record does not include an executed purchase, development agreement or special-use permit; staff said additional approvals or agreements may be required before the applicant begins renovations.

Planning staff said the site is in a commercial mixed-use priority investment area under the county’s 2040 future land use map and that rezoning the balance of the parcel is consistent with local zoning best practices given the site’s frontage on a primarily commercial and industrial stretch of U.S. 15 South.

Council action: RZ2516 passed second reading. The ordinance will return for any further readings or conditions as required by staff and county code.