Sumter County Council denies rezoning request for 1250 North Kings Highway, 6–1

Sumter County Council voted 6–1 on Sept. 26 to deny second reading of RZ-23-17, a request to rezone about 25.29 acres at 1250 North Kings Highway from Agricultural Conservation (AC) to Residential-15 (R-15).

Planning Director Helen Roodman described the parcel and surrounding land as zoned AC and said staff views portions of the site as an "enclave" that could support modestly higher-density clusters if public water and sewer were available. Roodman also presented soil information showing Norfolk loamy sand and Lynchburg sandy loam on parts of the site; she noted Lynchburg soils can be somewhat poorly drained and may have a seasonal high-water table 6–18 inches below the surface, which complicates on-site septic systems.

Planning Commission recommended approval, but both staff analysis and council members highlighted constraints. Councilman Charles T. Edens said leaving the site zoned AC could yield similar lot counts under proper subdivision layouts and that septic and Department of Health rules limit feasible lot yields. Several neighbors during the public hearing raised process and local-impact concerns: property agent Steven Dinkins said the area could supply needed housing close to Shaw Air Force Base, while residents including Gwendolyn Boyd, Michael Miller and Gabriel Processer objected, citing inadequate notice (a sign placed in a ditch), potential traffic increases, and worries about commercial uses changing without nearby residents' input.

Councilman Carlton B. Washington urged denial, restating that the AC district is intended to preserve the county's rural and agricultural character and noting the site lacks access to public sewer so on-site septic would be required for each lot. Washington referenced Planning Department notes that average developed lots in the proposal could be as small as 15,000 square feet (about 0.3 acres) and asked colleagues to deny the second reading. A motion to deny was made by Councilman Artie Baker, seconded by Councilman Vivian Fleming McGhaney. Vice Chairman James R. Byrd, Jr. was the lone vote in opposition; the motion carried six to one.

The denial leaves the property zoned Agricultural Conservation. The council did not require a site plan at this rezoning stage and did not adopt alternative conditions. Council members signaled continued concern about septic feasibility, community notice practices and potential traffic impacts if future development proposals come forward.

Outcome and next steps: the rezoning was denied on second reading; property remains AC. Any future development proposals requiring higher density would need to return to the council, and on-site septic constraints and public utility access will remain limiting factors.