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Commissioners deny Mil Pond Road rezoning after staff warns of land‑use and wetlands conflicts
Summary
After a public hearing the Board of Commissioners denied a request to rezone about 8.37 acres on Mil Pond Road from R1 to B3; planning staff cited inconsistency with the future land‑use map and wetlands concerns and recommended AR1 instead.
The Effingham County Board of Commissioners voted March 17 to deny a request to rezone roughly 8.37 acres on Mil Pond Road from R1 (residential) to B3 (major commercial).
Planner Jennifer Rose presented the application submitted by agent Ashley Kesser for property owner Salvador Figuro and summarized staff findings: "The subject parcel is designated agricultural residential on the future land use map," Rose said, and staff concluded the applicant's request would introduce commercial uses inconsistent with that designation. Rose also noted the presence of National Wetlands Inventory wetlands along the northern portion of the parcel that would need to be addressed during site development and said, "based off of the inconsistencies with the future land use map ... staff cannot recommend approval of the rezoning request presented." The planning board had earlier recommended approval with conditions, including access easement requirements that county counsel later advised should not be required.
The applicant or an agent was not present at the hearing to finalize a proposed downzone that staff said the applicant had previously indicated they might accept. Multiple commissioners expressed concern about truck and commercial traffic on Mil Pond Road and about preserving the county's future land‑use pattern. Following discussion a motion to deny the rezoning carried.
Why it matters The decision keeps the parcel aligned with the county's agricultural‑residential future land‑use designation and avoids extending commercial zoning into an area where residential and agricultural uses predominate. Staff recommended AR1 as a more appropriate classification that would still allow construction of a pole barn without broad commercial entitlements.
Next steps County staff said any site development will need to address wetlands and access during permitting. Officials also noted the applicant may revisit a request for AR1 if desired; the county will notify the applicant of steps needed to pursue that option.
Speakers (selected): Jennifer Rose (Planner I).
