Oppose the request to amend the permitted uses in Sumter West Planned Development PD-00-08 to permit mini-warehouse storage

Knowlton Properties, LLC is requesting to amend the permitted uses in Sumter West Planned Development PD-00-08 to permit mini-warehouses storage as a use on a parcel of land that backs up to the Patriot Park soccer fields and is directly next to the neighborhood Patriot Village.

This parcel is located in an area designated as "Neighborhood Commercial". The City of Sumter Zoning and Development Standards Ordinance does NOT allow mini-warehouses in areas designated as Neighborhood Commercial. However, in this case they appear to be making an exception by adding mini-warehouses to the permitted use list. Mini-warehouses are normally only allowed in General Commercial, Light Industrial Warehousing, and Heavy Industrial zoning districts because of industrial-like characteristics.

According to the Sumter Planning Commission permitting mini-warehouses to this area could be detrimental and incompatible with activities at the park along with impacting the aesthetics of the park. Therefore, this could arguably have a huge impact on the areas visual appeal and negatively affect the surrounding area. There is a proposed buffer, BUT the plan with this proposed buffer has not been made available. The only plans available to the public do not show a buffer.

To see current plan visit: http://www.sumtersc.gov/Data/Sites/1/media/departments/planning/boards-and-commissions/2016/pc/0824/pd-00-08-rev-18-patriot-pkwy---atkinson-knowlton-properties-llc-8.24.pdf

Council approved the first reading of the mini-warehouse request. All zoning changes require 2 readings for approval. The second reading is scheduled for October 4 at 5:30 pm. However, no public comments are allowed at this meeting. Therefore the only option now is to email your Sumter City Council Members if you have concerns or PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION if you oppose bringing mini-warehouses into this area.

*The information above is taken from the Sumter City-County Planning Commission packet PD-00-08 (Revision 18).