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Fountain Inn board approves change allowing general store at former towing site despite neighbor concerns
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a change of nonconforming use for the frontage building at 111 Telfer Street on Oct. 2, 2025, allowing a general store; staff said the conversion is less impactful than prior heavy uses and noted an RV park behind the site is under Lawrence County jurisdiction, not the city.
The City of Fountain Inn Board of Zoning Appeals voted Oct. 2 to allow a change of nonconforming use at 111 Telfer Street, clearing the way for a general store in a building that previously housed towing, paving and storage operations.
Chairperson Derryberry moved to approve Miscellaneous 2025‑01, a change‑of‑use request for the frontage parcel, and the board carried the motion on a voice vote after a short discussion. Staff recommended approval, saying the proposed store would be less impactful than the former heavy commercial activities on the site.
Jason (staff member) told the board the part of the property proposed for an RV park lies within Lawrence County and is outside the board’s authority. "So our approval tonight is not for the RV park," Jason said, explaining that the board’s decision applies only to the highlighted parcel along the road and the front building.
A nearby resident, Carol Davis of 700 Gulliver Street, testified in opposition, saying she expected a store or warehouse and was not told an RV park might be added behind the property. "I am against this ... he told me it was a store in a warehouse, but he didn't say nothing about an RV park going in back there," Davis said, expressing concern about trailers and transient occupants.
Staff described the front building as better suited to a community‑oriented retail use than the prior heavy uses, noting the ordinance allows the board to permit a nonconforming use that is "more in line with the underlying zoning district." Staff also said without board approval the owner would otherwise need to demolish and replace the structure to meet residential standards.
The transcript records the board’s action as a voice vote with the chair declaring the motion carries; individual vote tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript. The board did not take action on any county‑jurisdiction items related to the RV park; those would be addressed by Lawrence County.
The applicant may proceed with local permitting for the building conversion consistent with city requirements and any county processes that apply to adjacent parcels.
