Jasper County board denies setback and buffer variances for Low Country Paver at 535 Steiny Road

The Jasper County Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday denied a pair of variance requests from Low Country Paver LLC and Curry Creek Ready Mix for a property at 535 Steiny Road, finding the applicants had not met the statutory standards for undue hardship or lack of detriment to neighbors.

The board voted 4-0 to approve motions denying both a requested reduction of the 15-foot rear setback to as little as 1.1 feet and a request to substitute an 8-foot masonry wall for the ordinance’s required vegetative buffer. The board chair said, “we have not found that the four elements of the statute are in the record,” citing applicant-created conditions and possible harm to adjacent properties.

The request came after staff described the application and an amended packet of exhibits, including a South Carolina Department of Environmental Services notice of intent (NPDES general permit) and engineering plans. Staff summarized the variances sought under the Jasper County Development Ordinance (setbacks in Article 7, Table 1; buffer requirements in Article 12, Table 4) and outlined the legal criteria the board must…