Commission Backs Two Rezoning Recommendations and Directs Comprehensive Review of Commercial Zoning
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Summary
The commission recommended approval of map amendment 26-002MA (approx. 19.83 acres at Wilson Boulevard to EMP), voted to direct staff to evaluate MU1/MU2/MU3/GC/RC zoning districts, and approved staff’s four recommendations to move the comprehensive plan toward a broader 'paint-stroke' future land-use map.
On Feb. 19 the Richland County Planning Commission forwarded map amendment 26-002MA to county council with a recommendation of approval and took two additional policy actions: it directed staff to evaluate commercial zoning districts (RC, MU1, MU2, MU3 and GC) and voted to move staff’s comprehensive-plan recommendations forward.
Staff introduced 26-002MA, a request by applicant Brad Shell to rezone approximately 19.83 acres at 10141 Wilson Boulevard from Homestead to EMP (employment). Brad Shell said the EMP designation would support a mix of retail, restaurant and service uses and noted a January town hall with Councilwoman Cooper. Commissioner Grady moved to recommend approval, citing adjacent general-commercial zoning and the parcel's future land-use context; the motion passed.
On the code update, staff (Bryce) reviewed a DNS committee motion asking planning commission to evaluate the MU2 corridor mixed-use district and identified a list of uses the committee suggested removing from MU2. Staff presented three options for commission scope (evaluate MU2 alone, MU1/2/3 together, or include GC). After discussion, the commission voted to direct staff to research RC, MU1, MU2, MU3 and GC districts and return findings to the commission, including a potential work session.
For the comprehensive plan, staff proposed four changes: (1) move from a parcel-based future land-use map to a broad "paint-stroke" map, (2) adopt place-type descriptions to provide implementation guidance, (3) adjust future-land-use boundaries to reflect public input, and (4) remove the place-type/zoning alignment table to preserve flexibility. The commission voted to send staff forward with those four recommendations and to return a fuller package before forwarding to county council.
Taken together, the votes advance multiple rezonings to county council and set a schedule for staff to return with a coordinated evaluation of commercial zoning and updated comp-plan materials.