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Sumter County Council approves rezoning for 601 Pitts Road after neighbors raise concerns
Summary
Council approved second reading to rezone a 5.8-acre tract at 601 Pitts Road from R-15 to Agricultural Conservation to allow a Special Events venue. Nearby residents warned rezoning could allow agricultural uses and hurt property values; county planning said special-events review criteria would still apply.
Sumter County Council voted unanimously on Jan. 25 to approve second reading of RZ-21-24, rezoning a +/-5.8-acre tract at 601 Pitts Road from Residential-15 (R-15) to Agricultural Conservation (AC) to enable the property owner to seek use as a Special Events venue.
Planning Director Helen Roodman told Council the site is influenced by two Carolina Bays and currently contains a single building that most recently housed a religious institution. The applicant (Destinations Day Spa, LLC) and one property owner, identified as Mrs. Brassell, said they intend to renovate the building and operate weddings, receptions and similar events.
Neighbors voiced concerns during the public hearing. Debbie Brunson said the area is currently R-15 and warned that changing to AC could “impact” nearby homes and possibly depress property values, citing potential agricultural uses such as livestock. Jimmy Sanders, who owns property adjacent to the site, asked for clarification about what types of special events the facility would host and expressed similar concerns about compatibility. Planning staff and the owners said proposed uses would include weddings, receptions and birthdays, and that the county’s special-events review criteria—adopted in October—would apply if the rezoning is approved.
Councilman Charles T. Edens moved to approve second reading; Vice Chairman James R. Byrd, Jr. seconded, and the motion carried unanimously (six votes in favor, one absence recorded). The minutes note the Planning Commission had recommended approval.
Next steps: rezoning to AC allows the applicant to pursue special-events permitting but does not itself grant operational permits; the property would still be subject to the county’s special-events review criteria and any required conditions or site-specific approvals.
