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Council approves rezoning for Thomas Marine at Browns Ferry Road after divided vote
Summary
After a public-comment period with strong arguments on both sides, Georgetown County Council approved Ordinance 24-51 to rezone 2.92 acres at 7914 Browns Ferry Road from VR-10 to General Commercial with a 4–2 vote.
Georgetown County Council voted to approve Ordinance No. 24-51 on Oct. 22, changing zoning for a 2.92-acre parcel at 7914 Browns Ferry Road (TMS 02-045-022-06-00) from VR-10 (village residential) to General Commercial (GC), clearing the way for Thomas Marine to operate a boat sales and service business at the site.
Justin Cole, speaking during the public-comment period, supported the rezoning and described the applicant as a "small, family-owned marine sales and service business" that would reuse a vacant building and provide a service to local boaters. "They were all, very pleased that Mr. Thomas and his family... would be a tremendous asset to the Browns Ferry community," Cole said.
Opponents raised safety and neighborhood-character concerns. Kennedy Johnson urged council to accept the planning commission’s recommendation to deny the rezoning, citing a curve on nearby Highway 551 where a fatal crash occurred and noting that a school-bus stop sits at the street near the property. "I'm concerned with trucks and everything else coming out, especially when our precious kids is on that school bus," Johnson said.
Applicant Lee Thomas told council he intends to operate a small-scale service business and reuse the existing building, emphasizing that he does not plan to expand into larger commercial operations. "We don't intend to do anything else but utilize the property as it is," Thomas said.
Planning staff explained that VR-10 permits limited neighborhood-serving commercial uses but not marine-related businesses, which led to the rezoning request. Staff recommended the applicant install a level-3 buffer where the site abuts residences and noted that Brown's Ferry Water and Georgetown County Water and Sewer serve the site. The planning commission had voted 4–1 to recommend denial at a prior hearing.
On second reading council debated permitted uses in GC versus VR-10 and whether approval would enable future, broader commercial development. A motion to approve Ordinance 24-51 was moved by Councilor Newton and seconded by Councilor Elliot; the motion passed with 4 in favor and 2 opposed.
Council’s approval changes the property’s zoning entitlements to the broader set of uses allowed in the county GC district. No additional conditions were recorded on the ordinance during the meeting; council noted buffers and setback requirements under county zoning would apply.
