Council approves rezoning for Siloam Church Road parcel to allow neighborhood store

Greenwood County Council approved Ordinance 20-26-04 on Feb. 17 to rezone about 1.01 acres at 915 Siloam Church Road from RDD (rural development district) to neighborhood commercial. The rezoning would allow a small community store use that the applicant described as supportive for nearby elderly residents.

Planning staff (Carol Coleman) explained that the parcel is a small cutout from surrounding RDD land and that RDD permits many uses when parcels meet acreage thresholds; commercial uses generally require two acres under RDD, so the applicant requested neighborhood commercial zoning to enable a smaller commercial lot. Coleman also noted the Planning Commission voted unanimously (10–0) to approve the change, while staff had expressed concerns that the county’s future land-use map indicated residential use for the site.

The property owner, Galena Repka, said she supports the rezoning because a neighborhood store would provide convenient services for elderly neighbors who may lack reliable transportation. “It was very supportive for the neighbor when the weather conditions were bad,” Repka said.

After public testimony and staff remarks, council moved to approve the ordinance; the vote was reported as 6 in favor and 1 opposed. The motion passed and the rezoning will proceed as adopted.

Planning staff said utilities are limited at the site (no water or sewer currently) and that any commercial development would still require compliance with road/utility standards and applicable permits.