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Planning commission backs rural-business rezoning for family photography studio in Pickens County
Summary
The commission recommended approval of RZ191083 to allow a family-run photography business on a 6.02-acre parcel along Highway 53 West; applicants said scheduled Santa sessions are high-volume but organized and staff said the rural-business district is intended for low-intensity home-based enterprises.
The Pickens County Planning Commission voted to forward a staff recommendation on RZ191083, a request to rezone a 6.02-acre parcel on Highway 53 West (Parcel 032051008) from rural residential to the newly adopted rural-business district to allow a family photography business.
Planner Charles (staff) explained the rural-business district was recently added to the county code to permit low-intensity commercial and service uses compatible with rural character. Staff recommended approval, noting the district allows homeowners to operate limited businesses without undermining the surrounding area's rural appearance.
Applicant William Kugel said his wife's photography operation has outgrown private hosting and rental costs and that moving to their property would provide a safer, controlled environment for clients. "Last year, we had 1,300 children, 677 sessions," Kugel said, describing a tightly scheduled set of 15-minute appointments and expected parking for about a dozen cars at peak times. Kugel said he did not anticipate traffic problems and framed the change as a way to keep the business in Pickens County.
Commissioners asked routine questions about client visits and home-based operations; no members of the public registered opposition in the record. A motion to "approve as recommended" carried, and the commission will forward its recommendation to the Pickens County Board of Commissioners for final action.
Next steps: the Board of Commissioners will consider the planning commission's recommendation; if approved, the applicants will proceed with any required site or building approvals under the rural-business rules.
(Provenance: Staff presentation by Charles; applicant testimony by William Kugel; motion and vote recorded in hearing.)
