Committee approves rezoning for Wade Hampton property after Planning Commission denial; one abstention

A Greenville County Planning and Development Committee member moved to approve a rezoning for 3316 Wade Hampton Boulevard in Taylors, and the committee advanced the request to county council by voice vote, 3–0 with one abstention.

Staff told the committee the 1.7-acre site, currently an auto body shop, would be rezoned from C-2 (Commercial) to S-1 (Services) to allow a special event facility with a food-truck park. "Staff is of the opinion that successful rezoning with the S-1 Services District would be consistent with similar zoning in the area and would not have an adverse impact on the surrounding properties," a staff member said during the presentation.

The agenda showed that the Greenville County Planning Commission recommended denial, but the attachments did not include the Commission's written reason. A committee member asked staff to follow up. The staff response said the Planning Commission "did not give a clear reason before making the motion," and noted concerns raised about the property's current use and whether certain uses would be permitted under the requested district; staff clarified that salvage and junkyards are permitted only in the I-1 district and thus would not be allowed under S-1.

Committee discussion referenced a prior certificate of occupancy from 2016 showing the site's earlier use as a muscle-car service and body shop without a paint booth and some car sales; staff had emailed that CO to committee members. The applicant was listed on the record as William Cunningham for Edward Cunningham.

After debate, the committee voted to approve the rezoning and forward it to full council. A remote member, Kurt, announced he would abstain, saying he did not have enough information to vote. The committee chair announced the item passed by voice vote with three ayes and one abstention.

The next procedural step is for the item to move to county council for final consideration.