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Sumter County council denies rezoning for Ginyard Parkway property after neighbors object
Summary
The council voted to deny second reading of RZ2517, a request to rezone 2.22 acres on South Ginyard Parkway from Agricultural Conservation to Heavy Industrial, after neighbors raised traffic, compatibility and wetlands concerns; the planning commission had recommended approval.
Sumter County Council voted to deny second reading of rezoning request RZ2517 on South Ginyard Parkway after several residents and council members raised concerns about compatibility with surrounding homes and churches.
Planning staff Helen Reuben described the request as an application to rezone two parcels totaling 2.22 acres at 1650 South Ginyard Parkway from Agricultural Conservation to Heavy Industrial. Reuben said the applicant completed a formal wetlands delineation that identified buildable areas outside jurisdictional wetlands and that the planning commission recommended approval.
Applicant Raymond Smith told the council he has operated a small business within a block of the site for six years and said rezoning was needed to permit warehousing and manufacturing he plans to bring in-house, including assembly of subwoofers and small electronic components. “My primary goal with getting this rezoned was to make sure that we don't lose another small business,” Smith said, and added he has run local mentoring programs with schools.
Neighbors pushed back. Jimmy Golden said the parcel is near his property and had been wet during a previous hearing; he said industrial use near residences and churches would be inappropriate. Jacqueline Wright, who lives behind Golden, said existing traffic and nearby churches make the site unsuitable for heavy industrial uses. Anderson, another nearby resident, said an assisted-living facility is being built close by and added that heavy industry would worsen crowding.
During council discussion Councilmember 8 noted the county's land-use map does not show heavy industrial at that location and moved to deny second reading; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Councilmember 1 expressed sympathy for the applicant but voted in favor of denial and wished him success in finding another site.
The council’s denial means the second reading failed and RZ2517 will not advance under the proposed heavy industrial zoning. The applicant may pursue other options, including locating in areas already zoned for industrial use.
