Planning commission approves rezoning of portion of 475 Lewon Road from M1 to C2 amid access concerns

The Columbia County Planning Commission on March 19 recommended approval to rezone a roughly 1-acre portion of the parcel at 475 Lewon Road from M1 (light industrial) to C2 (general commercial).

Dylan, planning staff, said the parcel fronts Lewon Road and William View Parkway and that converting the rear M1 portion to C2 would make the zoning pattern more consistent with surrounding parcels; staff proposed conditions including vacating parked vehicles that block an access easement and subdividing the parcel along zoning lines if the rezoning is approved. Robert Titus of EMC Engineering, speaking for the applicant, said the goal is to ‘get it cleaned up’ and that subdividing and moving parked cars are planned.

Jeff Wilson, representing adjacent property interests including land owned by Brad Samach, urged the commission to require a curb cut or access stub so that future development of adjacent lots could obtain safe emergency access across the site. He cited an ordinance provision that encourages driveway connections between adjacent commercial properties “where practical.” The applicant and his representative responded that two adjacent parcels sold their direct access to Lewon Road when the road was widened and that requiring access stubs on this approval was not justified; they said parked vehicles blocking the access easement would be moved.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval of file RZ260309 to rezone an acre at 475 Lewon Road from M1 to C2; the motion received a second and carried on a voice vote. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for final action on April 21, 2026.