Kent Road rezoning draws strong opposition from long-time residents

A first-reading rezoning for about 40.49 acres on Kent Road prompted a wave of public opposition at the Jan. 13 Georgetown County Council meeting, where multiple long-time residents and neighbors urged the council to preserve the area’s rural character and deny a change to the county’s highest residential density.

Speakers including Felicia Rue Howard told council the area is rural, connected by narrow gravel and dirt roads, and that the proposed change from Forest Agriculture to R6 could permit up to seven homes per acre on properties that have been family homesteads for generations. "My family has lived there for 7 generations and, over 150, almost 150 years," Howard said, and she asked council to "preserve the rural character of that area and deny this request."

Concerns raised: Neighbors and commenters cited multiple practical issues: narrow, secondary roads that could create evacuation problems during storms; a high water table that affects infrastructure; uncertainty whether sewer extensions would be provided county-wide or only to a new subdivision; and claims that adjacent property owners had not received proper notification. Tyrone Fraser said the planning commission had already recommended denial (5–? vote referenced) and urged council to do the same.

Status and next steps: The Kent Road rezoning (Ordinance 26-01) was read by title as a first reading; no final council vote was taken on Jan. 13. Councilors asked staff to ensure proper notification procedures and to consider infrastructure implications; the item will return for later readings as required under the county process.

What to watch for: Council will consider subsequent readings and any staff reports on sewer extension plans, traffic impact analyses, and notice procedures before voting further on the rezoning.