Berkeley Leader

Berkeley County issued the following announcement on February 15.

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Tuesday, February 15, 2022) – Berkeley County is working to rezone specific parcels in the Cordesville community to remedy possible procedural errors from the late 1990s. In order to reach this goal, the County’s Planning and Zoning Department is utilizing proper due process and actively engaging with Cordesville property owners.

The zoning to be remedied in the Cordesville community is Preservation Residential (R-15) Zoning. There are a total of 62 parcels affected by this R-15 zoning; many of which are also split-zoned R-15 and Agricultural (Flex-1) Zoning. The County is currently waiving the $250 rezoning application fee for any affected property owner who would like to pursue an alternative zoning designation. Please see the different Rural Zoning Districts below:

• Preservation Residential (R-15) Zoning: Maximum density is one (1) principal dwelling unit per 15 acres with allowances for up to two accessory dwellings per principal dwelling.  The minimum lot size upon subdivision is 15 acres.  Certain agricultural and institutional uses are also permitted.
• Agricultural (Flex-1) Zoning: Maximum density is two (2) dwelling units per acre with a maximum of four (4).  The minimum lot size upon subdivision is 30,000 square feet.   Agricultural uses are permitted. Commercial event venue, mining, campground, and other uses are supported as conditional or special exception uses. 
• Rural Single-Family Residential (R1-R) District: Maximum density is one (1) principal dwelling per 1 acre; no explicit cap.  Minimum lot size upon subdivision is 2 acres.  Manufactured homes are a prohibited housing type.  Certain agricultural uses are supported subject to applicable conditions.
• Rural Manufactured Residential (R2-R) District: Maximum density is one (1) principal dwelling per 1 acre; no explicit cap.  Minimum lot size upon subdivision is 2 acres.  Certain agricultural uses are supported subject to applicable conditions.
• Mobile Home Rural Farm Residential (R2-R(F)) District.  Maximum density is one (1) principal dwelling per 1 acre; no explicit cap.  Minimum lot size upon subdivision is 1 acre.  This district is intended for hobby farms, supporting a variety of agricultural uses subject to applicable conditions.

State law mandates the process to amend the Official Zoning Map (a “rezoning”) and typically takes about five months from the date an application is submitted. County Council has the final decision-making authority on all rezoning requests; if adopted, the request will go into effect via ordinance at Council’s third and final reading. For more information on the County’s rezoning process, visit the Planning and Zoning departmental page online.

Affected property owners are encouraged to contact the Berkeley County Planning and Zoning Department at 843-719-4095 or webpaz@berkeleycountysc.gov to discuss their options and the rezoning process. The County will also be sending out informational mailers to affected property owners’ legal addresses. The mailers will also contain an application for rezoning. Once received, the requests will be published to the County website under upcoming Planning Commission agendas (and posted with a yellow public meeting sign). 

The County is also holding public meetings on its One Berkeley Comprehensive Plan on Thursday, February 17. Stakeholders who have an interest in how the County grows over the next 20 years are encouraged to attend. For more information, go HERE.

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-Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office-

Original source can be found here.