Anson County planning board recommends rezoning 11.87‑acre parcel to allow smaller home lots

Anson County Planning Board on April 9 recommended approval of a zoning map amendment that would change an 11.87‑acre parcel at 1110 Hightower Road from rural agriculture‑five (RA‑5) to rural agriculture‑one (RA‑1), allowing smaller single‑family lots.

Valerie, a planning department staff member who presented the case, said the request (ZMA 26‑02, PIN 637900829193) is intended to ‘‘allow subdivision into single‑family residential tracts’’ and noted a clerical error in the staff report’s first paragraph; she said the planning department recommends approval because the change would align with the county’s 2040 comprehensive land use plan and provide a logical transition between nearby RA‑1 and larger agricultural parcels.

Board members asked staff about utilities and soil suitability. Staff confirmed the parcel has access to a county water line but no public sewer; percolation (‘‘perc’’) or soil suitability tests were not included in the rezoning application and therefore the number of buildable lots is not yet known. Staff said a rezoning is often sought before costly soil studies because a rezoning application costs far less than a full soil evaluation.

A board member who moved to recommend approval said reducing the minimum lot size to one acre can promote homeownership and noted existing RA‑1 parcels nearby. The motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Board of Commissioners.

Valerie stressed the planning board’s action is a recommendation only and not legally binding; the same staff report and the board’s recommendation will be presented to the Board of Commissioners at its April 21 meeting.

Next steps: the Board of Commissioners will consider ZMA 26‑02 on April 21; any conditions or final approvals will be decided there.