Ordinance No. 04–04–2023. Ordinance acting on a request to amend the official zoning map established pursuant to zoning ordinance No. 12–24–01 as revised and amended by zoning ordinance No. 06– 11–16 and codified in chapter 153 of the Newberry County code of ordinances, establishes zoning classification and districts so as to rezone one real estate parcel totalling sixty and fifty hundredths (60.50) acres designated as TMS No. 392–3 from R2 – rural to RS – single-family residential.

The above is being considered for the first reading by the Newberry County Council on Wednesday, April 19th 2023 at 6:00 pm. This tract of land is currently zoned as rural, and is in one of the more rural areas of the county, the Mt. Bethel Community. This community stretches from near the city limits northward to US Hwy 176 and beyond. The area is rich in history and agriculture, and has truly been rural for centuries. The proposed zoning change will allow for what is proposed as a 70 home subdivision on a 60.50 acre tract of land. This tract borders an existing farm to the east, private lands to the north and south, and Mt. Bethel Garmany Road to the west. A subdivision of this size would come close to doubling the population of the community. In addition there are safety concerns of the location in regards to ingress/egress. Outside of those issues, the common development is residential homes on multiple acres of land. This proposal would have a large number of homes in close proximity to one another, and would certainly change the common landscape of the community. The majority of the residents in the Mt. Bethel Community reside in the area because of how rural it is, and low numbers of traffic and development. If approved, this zoning change could very well change the way the community looks and feels going forward. The residents of the community along with many others are not in favor of this passing approval. This petition is intended to bring awareness and show that this is not the desire of the citizens of Newberry County.