Sumter County Council approves zoning changes, updates industry codes
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Summary
On Aug. 8, Sumter County Council granted first reading approval to three rezoning requests and unanimously approved an ordinance updating zoning code references from SIC to NAICS. One rezoning drew an opposing vote from Councilman Carlton Washington over conservation concerns.
Sumter County Council on Aug. 8 granted first-reading approval to three rezoning requests and approved a zoning-code update meant to modernize industry classifications.
Planning Director Helen Roodman told the council that RZ‑23‑15 would rezone roughly 15.56–15.59 acres at 315 E. Red Bay Road from General Residential (GR) to Light Industrial‑Warehouse (LI‑W). Roodman said the site has been used as an electric substation since 1985 and the applicant intends to replace a nonconforming telecommunications tower under LI‑W rules; the Planning Commission recommended approval. "I believe it was unanimous," Roodman said when asked about the commission's vote.
The council also granted first reading to RZ‑23‑16, which would rezone about 3.62 acres at 1600 S. Pike E. from LI‑W to Neighborhood Commercial (NC). Roodman said the property currently hosts The Revelation Sanctuary Church Ministries and the NC designation would allow the construction of a parsonage and future accessory uses that are not permitted under LI‑W.
Council approved first reading to RZ‑23‑12, a request to rezone two parcels totaling about 0.53 acres at 419 and 429 S. Guignard Drive from General Residential to General Commercial. Roodman told council that the request is inconsistent with the Sumter 2040 Comprehensive Plan and that one Planning Commissioner opposed the recommendation citing conservation-area concerns. The motion to grant first reading carried with Councilman Carlton B. Washington voting in opposition.
Separately, the council unanimously approved third reading of OA‑22‑12, an ordinance amendment that replaces references to the older Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system with the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) across several zoning-code articles. Councilman Artie Baker moved the third reading, and Vice Chairman James R. Byrd Jr. seconded.
Votes at the meeting matched staff recommendations: RZ‑23‑15 and RZ‑23‑16 were advanced on unanimous first‑reading votes; RZ‑23‑12 advanced with one council dissent; OA‑22‑12 passed on third reading. The council did not convene an executive session and adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
Provenance: Presentation and discussion of the three rezonings and OA‑22‑12 appear in the meeting record during the planning-presentation segments and the recorded motions and votes on first and third readings.