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Planning Commission Denies Zoning Request |
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Written by Jenny Peterson, The Journal
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Sep 06, 2007 at 05:27 AM |
The James Island Planning Commission unanimously voted against the zoning request for the Five Points area in the Riverland Terrace neighborhood.
John Fleming, representing owner J.L. Woode, requested a zoning change from residential to planned unit development for two parcels that front Maybank Highway. The lots had houses on them, and the owner tore them down after buying the property.
An adjacent piece of property on Maybank Highway that formerly housed old Huck’s vegetable stand is zoned commercial.
A planned unit development has many more restrictions than commercial zoning, Fleming said.
“We’re asking to rezone to limit possible uses,” Fleming said. The development would prohibit fastfood restaurants and gas stations.
Instead, developers want to put “light retail” establishments on the property, such as a bank, cafe or pet groomer, Fleming said.
“It would be small, light commercial and fit in the neighborhood setting,” he said.
The plans are roughly the same as what was presented to residents in May. Fleming said the group tried to work with residents to determine what they wanted for the area.
Fleming said there are no specifics about what establishments will be in the development because no retailer has signed on to the project.
He said that the developers can’t find businesses to lease the space until the zoning is changed. He did say developers want to bring in a bank.
“We can’t get a firm commitment from any user,” he said.
John Meffert, Riverland Terrace Neighborhood Association president, told the commission his group supported the planned unit development proposal as long as noise is minimized, parking is in the back of the business and any large drugstore is prohibited, among other restrictions.
However, many residents disagreed with Meffert’s position. They disagreed with the project entirely, expressing concerns that the owners bought two lots, subsequently tore down the houses and now are asking for the lots to be rezoned.
“It’s not a good precedent,” said resident Tom Stiteler. “I would like to keep it residential. I do live here and there are plenty of services; there’s nothing I need that I can’t get on James Island.”
Resident Joanne Nixon also was concerned about the precedent the zoning change would set.
“Let’s buy these old homes and tear them down,” she said. “Why does residential get changed just because someone bought a bunch of land?”
Resident Diane Michelle Wilson, who lives next door to the lots, said the plans for the development are too “open‑ended.”
“A ‘cafe’ ‑ that’s food, that’s noise, that’s late night,” she said. “It’s not specific. I’m opposed to this as it stands?’
Others said the development would bring unwanted traffic to the neighborhood and infringe on neighbors’ privacy.
In all, 14 people spoke against the project.
One supporter, resident Fred Wichmann, said change is inevitable, and noted that the developers tried to work with residents’ wants and needs.
Fleming responded to concerns, reiterating that no one has signed on to the project because zoning is not in place.
The commission went into executive session for legal advice, then returned to open session to vote.
The James Island staff recommended the zoning change with major restrictions on what can be in the space and a new definition for a “light retail” classification, but the commission voted against rezoning the property because it said there were no specific plans in place.
“Until we know the nature (of the project), I feel we need to deny it,” Milliken said.
The commission’s recommendations to deny the zoning change request will go before James Island Town Council for review.
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