Council approves first reading for rezoning request to allow funeral home near cemetery

Sumter County Council on Aug. 9 approved first reading of RZ-22-07, a rezoning request that would change roughly 2.35 acres of a 29.12-acre tract at 4510 S. US 15 Highway from Agricultural Conservation (AC) to Limited Commercial (LC). Planning Director Helen Roodman presented the application on behalf of applicant Patrick James, who intends to locate a funeral home on the parcel adjacent to an existing cemetery.

Roodman told council the parcel is currently vacant except for a cemetery previously approved on the tract and that the request is not consistent with the Sumter 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which designates the area for low-density residential and select nonresidential uses. Roodman provided location, zoning and aerial maps during her presentation.

Councilman Charles T. Edens said he was involved in adopting the Comprehensive Plan language that requires Conditional Use review in AC districts that abut neighborhoods and asserted the applicant may not need rezoning to pursue the funeral-home use. Roodman clarified that the applicant had chosen a process intended to expedite a loan and stated that, under that process, neighbor signatures were not required.

Vice Chairman James R. Byrd moved to grant first reading and Councilman Artie Baker seconded. The motion carried; Councilmen Charles T. Edens and Carlton B. Washington were recorded in opposition. The rezoning now advances to subsequent hearings required by county procedures.

The Land Use staff packet noted the Sumter 2040 plan’s rural-development goals prioritize low-density residential patterns and selected nonresidential uses; staff advised the requested LC designation is inconsistent with that plan designation. Council did not take final action on the item at the Aug. 9 meeting.