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Sumter County Council denies two Hideaway Drive rezoning requests, approves Camden Highway rezoning
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Summary
Sumter County Council on July 22 denied two rezoning requests for properties on Hideaway Drive after resident opposition, and approved a rezoning for a parcel on Camden Highway with staff support but acknowledgment of septic/sewer constraints.
Sumter County Council voted July 22 to deny two rezoning requests on Hideaway Drive and to approve a separate rezoning request on Camden Highway.
Planning Director Helen Roodman presented three land-use items during the meeting. Council considered RZ-25-09, a request by applicant Adrianna Bowley to rezone a roughly 1.0-acre parcel at 1980 Hideaway Drive from Agricultural Conservation (AC) to Residential-15 (R-15); and RZ-25-10, a request to rezone a roughly 0.64-acre parcel at 1992 Hideaway Drive (to allow combining undersized lots to meet R-15 minimums). Planning staff noted RZ-25-09 aligns with the county’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan and nearby development patterns, but a series of residents voiced opposition at the public hearing, citing concerns about property values, density, maintenance and compatibility with the existing neighborhood. Council Member Artie Baker moved, and Council Member Carlton B. Washington seconded, a motion to deny second reading of RZ-25-09; the motion carried unanimously, resulting in denial of the request.
For RZ-25-10, two residents similarly opposed the change, citing nonconformity with R-15 requirements and maintenance concerns. Council Member Charles T. Edens moved to deny the request, seconded by Council Member Baker; that motion also passed unanimously and the rezoning was denied.
The council approved RZ-25-08, a rezoning submitted by Vanessa Simmons for a roughly 3.26-acre parcel at 2825 Camden Highway. The applicant amended the original request and sought classification that would allow additional flexibility (planning staff recommended approval). Councilors and staff noted the parcel lacks access to public sewer and that DHEC septic standards are a limiting factor; several residents spoke in opposition raising stormwater, small-lot and wildlife-impact concerns. Vice Chairman James R. Byrd Jr. moved to approve second reading of RZ-25-08, Council Member Charles T. Edens seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Why it matters: The decisions preserve neighborhood standards in two Hideaway Drive cases after sustained resident opposition, while the Camden Highway approval advances development on a parcel that will remain constrained by septic and drainage considerations. The council’s unanimous votes mean the denied rezoning requests remain rejected and the Camden Highway parcel may proceed under the approved zoning subject to permitting and septic requirements.
What’s next: The council approved second readings as recorded; project applicants seeking building permits will still need to satisfy county permitting and DHEC septic requirements, and neighbors may continue to engage through planning department processes.