Planning Commission Recommends Denial of County Landfill Expansion Parcel Amid Strong Resident Opposition

The Richland County Planning Commission on Feb. 19 recommended disapproval of map amendment 25-044MA, a request by Richland County to rezone roughly 63 acres on Montgomery Road from agricultural (AG) to heavy industrial (HI). Chair called the meeting to order and staff introduced the application, noting the request is noncompliant with the county comprehensive plan’s neighborhood low-density designation.

The applicant, Cindy Castellucci of the Richland County Solid Waste and Recycling Division, said the county purchased the property in 2021 and acquired it in 2022 for future landfill expansion and that the narrowed request (about 63 acres) creates a 300-foot setback along Montgomery Road and would be used initially for dirt operations. "Rezoning is a necessary step for the property to be considered for any future operational use, including dirt operations," Castellucci said.

Multiple residents spoke against the rezoning during the public-comment period. Randy Wolf said the heavy-industrial designation could bring "dust, fumes, smoke, odor, noise, vibration, large trucks" and raised concerns about effects on the Broad River. Wendell Patton said his street was "100% against" the expansion and urged preserving the rural character. Darlene Simpson cited nearby quarry operations and expressed worry about contamination and property values; Jeff Coleman urged delaying action until another town-hall meeting could be held. Eddie Wolf said the revised application had not been subject to a new town hall and stressed preventing access from Montgomery Road.

Staff told the commission that town halls are optional and scheduled by county council; staff confirmed the item remained on council’s Feb. 24 zoning agenda and that a town hall was expected later. Commissioners discussed the history of the request: the commission had denied an earlier, larger rezoning in a prior meeting (noted in the record as an earlier 8–1 denial). Several commissioners emphasized that the key issue was consistency with the comprehensive plan’s neighborhood low-density designation. Commissioner Lloyd moved to recommend disapproval; Commissioner Durant seconded. The commission voted to recommend disapproval by a 5–2 margin.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to Richland County Council, which may take final action at its scheduled zoning meeting. Staff noted council may choose to approve, deny, or defer the request; a town hall was scheduled for a later date. The record of tonight’s recommendation will accompany the council agenda item.

Next steps: county council will consider the application at its Feb. 24 zoning hearing; a town-hall meeting is expected to follow the council hearing.