Commission recommends R40 rezoning for Sugar Pike parcel, approves setback variance

The Cherokee County Planning Commission on Thursday recommended rezoning 12.55 acres at 2001 Sugar Pike Road from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to single-family R40 to allow an 11-lot subdivision and also recommended a variance reducing the collector-road setback from 65 to 35 feet for Lots 1 and 11.

Staff presented the case noting the parcel sits in the corridor-and-nodes character area and that topography and an unusually wide right-of-way make the site a challenging commercial parcel. Applicant representative (speaker 12) said community meetings showed neighbor support and described a plan that pulls the cul-de-sac back to limit grading and place most homes on flatter parts of the site.

Michael Sinco, an adjacent property owner, spoke in favor and said the rear tree buffer should remain undisturbed where possible. Commissioners discussed whether R40 or a larger-lot R60 zoning would better protect surrounding properties; several members noted most proposed lots meet or exceed R40 minimum sizes. Commissioner Bello moved to recommend approval of R40; Commissioner Tressler seconded. The rezoning recommendation passed 6–2.

The board then considered the concurrent variance to reduce the Sugar Pike setback from 65 to 35 feet. Commissioners characterized the grade, driveway and the wide right-of-way as creating a hardship and recommended approval of the setback variance (motion passed 8–0). The commission will forward both recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.