Sumter County council denies rezoning request for Ginyard Parkway site

Sumter County Council on Tuesday denied second reading of rezoning request RZ2517, stopping a plan by applicant Raymond Smith to rezone 2.22 acres at 1650 South Ginyard Parkway from Agricultural Conservation to Heavy Industrial.

Planning staff member Helen Reuben told the council the parcel is heavily wooded, adjacent to established residential lots and a religious use, and that a wetlands delineation found sufficient developable area outside jurisdictional wetlands. Reuben said the planning commission recommended approval but cautioned about compatibility, noting the site sits between a residential subdivision and existing commercial/industrial uses across the street.

Smith, who said he has operated a nearby business for more than six years, told the council he wants to expand into manufacturing and warehousing to assemble subwoofer motor assemblies and other electronics and to continue limited retail and installation work. "My primary goal with getting this rezoned was to make sure that we don't lose another small business," Smith said. He also described local workforce and mentorship programs he has offered to schools.

Neighbors who spoke during the public hearing pushed back. Jimmy Golden said the site was previously described as wet and that he did not want an industrial building at his front door. Jacqueline Wright, who lives behind Golden, said traffic already makes it difficult to exit her driveway and opposed placing industrial uses near churches and homes.

A councilmember noted the county land-use map designates the corridor for suburban development rather than heavy industrial and said there are other parcels already zoned heavy industrial that would be better suited. The council made and seconded a motion to deny second reading; the motion carried and the rezoning did not advance.

Next steps: Because second reading was denied, RZ2517 will not proceed unless the applicant re-files or appeals per county procedures.