Neighbors’ concerns lead Sumter County Council to deny second reading of funeral‑home rezoning on US 15

Vice Chairman James R. Byrd and Sumter County Council on Aug. 23 denied second reading of rezoning request RZ‑22‑07, a proposal to rezone 2.35 acres of a 29.12‑acre tract at 4510 S. US 15 from Agricultural Conservation (AC) to Limited Commercial (LC) to permit a funeral home. The motion to deny, made by Councilman Charles T. Edens and seconded by Councilman Vivian Fleming McGhaney, carried 4‑1; Vice Chairman Byrd voted in opposition.

The Planning Department——s presented the application and context. Planning Administrator Jeff Derwort told council that funeral homes are permitted by right in the LC district but that the AC district contains a Conditional Use path that would allow the use if the applicant secures required neighbor support and meets AC criteria. Derwort also said the request was "not generally consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan" and that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning.

The Neal Family Association, represented by Gloria Neal Showers, told council it opposes a funeral home near the Neal Cemetery on Highway 15 South. Showers raised proximity concerns, asked how embalming chemicals would be handled and whether formaldehyde or other substances could contaminate soil or groundwater, and asked whether a crematory would be used and how ashes would be managed. Resident Charlie Wells, who lives north of the property, said he keeps horses nearby and shared concerns about aerial and soil pollutants.

Applicant Patrick James responded that he had no malicious intent toward neighbors, noted that the existing family cemetery had long been used for burials, and said burials at the proposed funeral home would require outer containers and compliance with the Statewide Funeral Board. On cremation and emissions, James said operations must meet federal Environmental Protection Agency standards and, as he put it, "it is not like the Cremator is burning trash"; he added that his professional license would be at risk if he did not follow rules.

Council members pressed for neighborhood engagement and clarified process. Edens, Washington and others explained the AC Conditional Use route and noted that the Conditional Use process requires signatures of neighbors within 500 feet (a two‑thirds threshold was cited) for approval; several council members urged James to pursue that route and to meet with nearby residents before restarting the application. County staff said that if council denies second reading the applicant may apply for a Conditional Use; if the Conditional Use application meets standards and gains the required neighbor support, the project could move forward without returning to council.

The denial of second reading does not permanently prohibit the project; it directs the applicant to pursue the AC Conditional Use process with neighbor engagement.

Next step: the applicant may submit a Conditional Use application that must meet the AC criteria and the neighbor‑signature requirement before final approval is possible.