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Residents urge council to reject rezoning for proposed Hubbard Young Pharmacy site; public hearing scheduled Aug. 3
Summary
At least a dozen residents and community leaders told council the proposed rezoning of a Highway 93‑Abel Road parcel to commercial for a Hubbard Young Pharmacy would harm an historic Abel neighborhood — citing traffic, child safety and loss of residential character — while a number of MyCivic comments supported the relocation. Council scheduled a formal public hearing for Aug. 3 at 5:30 p.m.
Felisa Bennett, a resident of Kearny Circle, opened the public comment portion of the meeting by asking council to reconsider a rezoning request that would allow a Hubbard Young Pharmacy to locate at the corner of Highway 93 and Abel Road. "If Hubbard Young Pharmacy comes into our neighborhood it's going to completely change our neighborhood's character," Bennett said, urging council to consider placing commercial uses across the highway instead.
Several pastors and longtime residents echoed traffic, safety and preservation concerns. The pastor of Abel Baptist Church (who did not give a name during his remarks) described Abel as a historic, intergenerational neighborhood and said a high‑traffic pharmacy entrance would threaten pedestrian safety near parks and churches. Linda Davis, who identified herself as a pastor at New Hope Baptist Church and a Clemson University employee, said many of the letters read in favor of rezoning were from outside the Abel community and that residents of Abel opposed the change.
At the same time, the council read multiple written comments submitted via the MyCivic app supporting the rezoning and the move, including messages stating the pharmacy would provide important access to prescriptions and improved customer service for some residents. Staff noted both in‑person testimony and those written submissions are part of the public record.
Why it matters: The rezoning would change residential land to commercial usage adjacent to longstanding homes; commenters warned that once land is rezoned commercially it is difficult to reverse and that increased paving and traffic could degrade livability and stormwater outcomes.
What residents said (selected): - Felisa Bennett: "There is virtually no way that the pharmacy could have a one way in and out on Highway 93... the amount of traffic that would come into our neighborhood would just be entirely much." - Pastor at Abel Baptist Church: urged council to "consider whether this proposal truly reflects the best interest of the Abel community." - Linda Davis: said many supportive letters likely came from non‑residents and pleaded with council to listen to neighborhood residents.
What supporters said (MyCivic submissions): - Several written comments said the new site would provide improved access, with one submitter noting Hubbard Young "would be a tremendous location" and another calling it a "wonderful asset."
Next steps: The chair announced a formal public hearing on this rezoning request will be held on Aug. 3 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers; comments made at tonight's meeting were entered on the record and will be available to council ahead of the hearing.
