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Dorchester County council approves townhouse rezonings and exempts interior townhouse lots from width‑to‑depth rule
Summary
Council unanimously moved rezoning requests and adopted a text amendment to the county zoning code exempting interior townhouse lots from the lot width‑to‑depth ratio, a change staff said will align rules with contemporary townhouse lots and reduce repeated waiver requests.
Dorchester County Council voted unanimously Oct. 6 to advance a set of zoning actions that will make it easier to build townhouses in parts of the county and to rezone several small parcels for residential use.
Planning staff told the council the package includes Rezoning Request 934, a request to change approximately 1.83 acres near Latson Road in the Ladson/Somerville area from General Commercial (CG) to Single Family Attached District (R3) to allow townhouse development. Staff said the existing platted lots — roughly 20 feet by 110 feet — meet townhouse lot‑size requirements (minimum 20 feet and a minimum of about 1,500 square feet) but will require access and stormwater adjustments; planning commission had recommended approval.
Applicant Elliot Locklear said residential townhouses would reduce “high volume traffic” compared with commercial uses, described likely DOT access controls (expecting right‑in/right‑out), and said lot dimensions could be adjusted (minimums of 20–22 feet possible). A nearby resident, Tommy Fagan, opposed the rezoning citing concerns about increased traffic and the effect of converting commercial parcels to residential on school operating revenue. After public comment and brief discussion, the council closed the hearing, moved and seconded the recommendation and the motion carried unanimously.
At the same meeting the council also approved a text amendment to the Dorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards (Ordinance No. 04‑13, Article 20) to exempt interior townhouse lots from the county’s lot width‑to‑depth ratio. Planning staff explained the change was prompted by repeated waiver requests at the planning commission: townhouse lots are often longer than they are wide under contemporary townhouse designs, and the existing ratio forced frequent waivers. The amendment is limited to interior townhouse lots, not exterior lots, and staff said design review and technical review will continue to apply.
Why it matters: the combined rezoning and code change lower a regulatory barrier for townhouse development in areas where the county’s future land‑use map supports medium‑density traditional neighborhoods. Supporters said the change clarifies the code and avoids repeated ad hoc waivers; opponents raised concerns about traffic, school impacts and neighborhood character.
What’s next: the rezoning and code amendment were advanced by council action on Oct. 6. Future steps include technical review for access and stormwater, any necessary plats, and developer submittals under the revised code. Planning and DOT approvals will govern road access and curb cuts.
