Camden Approves Housing Development Rezoning Amidneighborhood Concerns

CAMDEN, S.C. (WIS) – A housing development proposal has ignited debate in Camden, with the planning commission approving a rezoning on Monday night. This move aims to reduce the number of houses that can be constructed on a historic equine training center.

The Camden Training Center’s owner, Stuart Grant, has long sought to develop the land for housing. However, local residents have expressed concerns over the potential impact. The city initiated a request to rezone 61 acres of the training center from R-15 to R-E, which would limit the maximum number of houses from 152 to 45.

Initially, Grant’s plan included around 153 lots, but he scaled back after pushback from neighbors. Joseph Berry, Grant’s attorney, stated that his client was not consulted about the city-led rezoning request. “Here we are now, once again, the city is taking action that is vindictive, and it targets and it seeks to punish my client,” he said.

Grant has filed lawsuits at both federal and state levels, claiming local leaders have unlawfully denied his housing project. Planning and Zoning Director Shawn Putnam noted that it remains unclear what effect the new rezoning would have on the ongoing legal dispute.

Berry added, “If the city wants to control the future of this property so badly, then it needs to do the right thing and pay fair market value for it, and don’t use the power of zoning to appropriate property for public use.”

The rezoning effort coincides with the city and county’s updates to their comprehensive plans aimed at managing rapid residential growth. Planning Commission Chairman Johnny Deal mentioned, “What we’re trying to do is appease our public; our citizens are saying they want larger lot sizes with less housing.”

Some residents support the new zoning decision. One resident remarked, “Restricting the density of development is critical in maintaining the unique ambiance of Camden.”

Another neighbor, wishing to remain anonymous, voiced a different concern. “I’m not opposed to growth. I think growth is necessary in all communities, but there is such a thing as overgrowth,” she said, emphasizing worries over the local infrastructure’s ability to handle more developments.

The Camden city council will make the final decision on the rezoning request on September 30. Grant indicated that if the rezoning is accepted, he plans to amend his ongoing lawsuits accordingly.