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Commission recommends denial of rezoning to allow animal raising on 3.28-acre Prichardville parcel over environmental and enforcement concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended denial of a proposal to change a 3.28-acre parcel at 64 James O Court from T3 Edge to May River Community Preservation after staff and residents raised concerns about unpermitted animal raising, wetlands/headwater contamination and enforcement; staff suggested a text amendment to MRCP to require a 50-foot buffer if the district were expanded.
The Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of a map amendment that would have rezoned a 3.28-acre property at 64 James O Court from T3 Edge to May River Community Preservation (MRCP).
Staff explained the application responds to a code-enforcement citation for animal raising on a parcel that abuts single-family neighborhoods. Rob (speaker 3) said the T3 Edge district allows crop harvesting but does not permit animal-raising uses; the applicant asked for MRCP, which allows agricultural uses including animal husbandry. Staff recommended that, if the commission were inclined to approve the map change, it should be accompanied by a text amendment to MRCP requiring a 50-foot buffer between animal-raising/agricultural uses and adjacent single-family residential parcels.
Residents from nearby Verdeer View and other Pritchardville neighborhoods testified they are concerned about wetlands and headwaters flowing to the May River, reported long-running illegal animal keeping and site clearing, and said animals have been loose and have entered neighborhoods. Several speakers cited coliform and stormwater concerns and argued the county has not adequately enforced deed restrictions and code in the area.
Commissioners raised environmental and enforcement questions. Staff said existing operations are an illegal, nonconforming use and that the recommended text amendment approach would apply going forward while grandfathering existing lawful operations. Commissioners also observed that approving the rezoning for a property that has not complied with the county code risks enabling continued bad behavior unless conditions and enforcement are clear.
After public comment the commission moved to recommend denial. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners requested staff include concerns about drainage, deed-restriction enforcement and potential DHEC oversight in the record that goes to County Council.
