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Council approves first reading for 22-acre PD rezoning at 2640 West Oakland Avenue
Summary
The Sumter City Council on March 17 approved first reading of a plan-development rezoning (PD 26.01) for about 22 acres at 2640 West Oakland Avenue to allow a mix of 64 small-lot patio homes, four large residential lots and a ~3.7-acre commercial parcel; the measure moves to further review and eventual second reading.
The Sumter City Council on March 17 carried first reading of a plan-development rezoning for roughly 22 acres at 2640 West Oakland Avenue, advancing a developer’s proposal to create a mixed residential and commercial plan development (PD 26.01).
Planning staff said the site, currently a mix of R15 and general commercial zoning, would be redeveloped into three distinct areas: a small-lot residential section proposing 64 patio-home lots (minimum lot sizes around 5,000 square feet and 50-foot lot widths), four large residential lots along West Oakland Avenue, and a commercial area of about 3.7 acres on the north side of the road. Staff noted the PD would set site-specific development standards, including setbacks, a maximum building height of 35 feet, and impervious-surface limits. The staff presentation said the application includes preservation and fencing of an existing cemetery located roughly in the middle of the property.
Kyle Kelly of the planning staff said sidewalks will be required along new streets, canopy trees will be planted in front yards, and preliminary plat approval by the planning commission will be required before subdivision. He told council the PD aligns with the city’s 2040 future land-use designation and that the city is serving as purchasing agent for state and federal funds on some related projects.
The applicant spoke in support of the rezoning. The speaker identified himself as Bill and said his family has owned parts of the property for 75 years; he told council the residential portion is intended to complement the neighborhood. Bill described planned house sizes of about 1,800–2,300 square feet and estimated prices “mostly in the $200,000 range” with a few potentially in the low $300,000 range.
Neighbors questioned traffic and buffering. One nearby resident asked whether the houses would face Oakland Avenue and whether there would be fencing or other screening; staff replied that the new small-lot homes would be through lots oriented to a new interior street and that berms, fences and intensive landscaping would be addressed at the subdivision and site-plan stage. Staff also said the projected number of residential trips does not meet the city or South Carolina Department of Transportation threshold requiring a traffic-impact study, but that mitigation measures could be evaluated later during site-plan review.
Council moved and seconded the ordinance for first reading, and the record shows the first reading carried unanimously. Council members emphasized that this proceeding was a rezoning first reading and that subsequent steps—planning-commission review, site-plan approval and a second reading—would provide additional public input and technical review before any final approval.
Next steps: the rezoning returns for additional public hearings and administrative reviews; any final zoning change would require second reading and adoption at a future council meeting.
