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Planning commission recommends disapproval of rezoning for two South Bel Air Road parcels
Summary
The Columbia County Planning Commission on Feb. 19 recommended that two parcels at 309 and 311 South Bel Air Road remain zoned for commercial use, rejecting a petition by homeowners to return the lots to single-family zoning; the recommendation will go to the Board of Commissioners on March 3, 2026.
The Columbia County Planning Commission on Feb. 19 recommended that the Board of Commissioners disapprove a petition to rezone two parcels at 309 and 311 South Bel Air Road from Community Commercial (CC) back to R-2 single-family residential.
Staff planner Danielle told the commission the parcels were rezoned to CC in 2024 and previously held a time-limited conditional use for residential that has since expired; staff recommended disapproval because long-term planning designates the Bel Air corridor for professional and commercial uses. The chair noted the commission is advisory and that final action will be taken by the Board of Commissioners on March 3, 2026.
Owner Charles Petrie and co-owner James Blankenship asked the commission to recommend rezoning to R-2 or extend the conditional use, saying they were promised the lots would be sold as part of a larger assemblage and that the developer later backed out. "Someone could come in and say you're living there illegally," Petrie said, describing pressure on occupants and asking for relief while they try to find a buyer or negotiate terms.
Developer representative Sanjal Kani, who said he represents the company negotiating for nearby parcels, urged the commission to keep CC zoning and described plans that include buffers, a fence and landscaping. Kani said the developer has submitted multiple site-plan iterations and that, if built, the layout would place buildings farther from the houses and include a 40-foot northern setback, fencing and plantings. "We're already working on it," Kani said, noting commercial projects often take years to materialize.
Commission discussion focused on whether a conditional-use extension would be practicable; staff said the prior conditional use was time-limited and had expired, so a new application would be required. After public and applicant comment the commission voted to recommend disapproval of file RZ251204. The chair announced that the motion carried; that recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final action on March 3, 2026.
No formal vote tally attributable to named commissioners was provided in the transcript beyond the chair's announcement that the motion "carries".
