Goose Creek Planning Commission Meeting – July 1, 2025
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Goose Creek Planning Commission Meeting – July 1, 2025
The Goose Creek Planning Commission met on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. Commissioners approved two map amendments and one street name request, with a split vote on a contested annexation for a 75-unit residential development on Nello Drive. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:15 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda as written (5-0).
- Approved the minutes from the June 3, 2025 Planning Commission meeting (5-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the General Public Comments portion of the meeting.
Discussion Items
- Lindy Creek Road Annexation/Map Amendment (TMS 244-01-04-037): Staff presented a request by Stanley Martin Homes LLC to annex 2.99 acres of vacant land into the city and assign a zoning of Conservation (C). The parcel is designated Low-Density Residential in the Comprehensive Plan but contains less than half an acre outside wetlands, limiting development potential. The proposed use is open space and infrastructure for an adjacent subdivision. The applicant, Roger Huntsman, confirmed the plan includes an entry road and partial landscaping. The Commission approved the recommendation unanimously (5-0).
- Nello Drive Annexation/Map Amendment (TMS 235-14-04-030, -036, -040): Three parcels totaling 13.52 acres, currently zoned Berkeley County Single Family Residential (R1), were proposed for annexation and rezoning to Flexible Review District (FRD). The applicant, Chris Young of STYO Development, plans 75 single-family units on minimum 2,800 sq ft lots, with 25% open space including trails, a park, playground, pavilion, and dog park. Staff recommended denial because the Comprehensive Plan designates the area as Low-Density Residential. The applicant argued the density (approx. 5.9 units per acre) is close to the theoretical yield under RSF zoning and that the FRD allows for enhanced amenities and a regional pump station benefiting adjacent properties. Commissioners expressed concerns about on-street parking, private road maintenance by the HOA, pedestrian safety, and traffic. After extended discussion, Commissioner Matthews made a motion to approve with conditions: (1) widen Nello Drive north of Elrod Drive to match existing cross-section, extending 10 feet past the northern connection; (2) add a crosswalk at Nello and Elrod with street lighting; (3) use SCDOT pavement markings within the subdivision; (4) consolidate the double crosswalks at the southern entrance or install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB); (5) collect traffic data in 2025 or later on all associated streets to inform a future traffic impact analysis. The motion passed 3-2 (Chairperson Edwards, Commissioner Jenkins, and Commissioner Matthews in favor; Commissioners Burdick and Glaze opposed).
- Street Name Approval – Windsor Mill Village: The Commission approved seven street names (Shamus Street, Sardine Way, Macallum Drive, Vinita Lane, Valentino Boulevard, Bella Avenue, Beatrix Drive) for a planned development that includes retail, multifamily, and potential senior living. Motion carried 5-0.
- Plat Approval (Informational): Two previously approved subdivision plats were noted: Carnes Crossroads – Coleridge Drive and Berkeley Farms – Subdivision Plat. No vote required.
Key Outcomes
- Lindy Creek Road Map Amendment: Approved (5-0). Staff will forward a recommendation to City Council for annexation and Conservation (C) zoning.
- Nello Drive Map Amendment: Approved with five conditions (3-2). The zoning public hearing is scheduled for July 8, 2025, with first reading for intent to annex, and second reading likely the following month.
- Windsor Mill Village Street Names: Approved (5-0).
- Adjournment: Motion passed (5-0) at 7:15 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right, Chairperson Judy Edwards. Present. Vice Chairperson Heather Bird. Lisa Burdick. Here. Gina Glees. Here. Jenkins? Here. Josh Lilly. Nick Matthews. Here. Madam Chair, we have a quorum. Thank you. First item on the agenda is approved of the is the approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion? Madam Chair, move reapprove the agenda for July 1st, 2025. Thank you, Anthony. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Gina. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Next on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from the June 5th meeting. Is there an emotion? Madam Chair, approved the amendments as been presented to us. Thank you, Anthony. Do we have a second? I'll second. Thank you, Lisa. So any discussion, any corrections? All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. First item of new business is a map amendment on Lindy Creek Road. Um staff. Thank you, Madam Chair. This is for an annexation map amendment request for the area identified as TMS 2440104037 on Lindy Creek Road into the city of Goose Creek and to assign a zoning of conservation. This the applicant is Stanley Martin Homes LLC. The acreage is approximately 2.99 acres. Currently, the property is vacant. The proposed use is for open space and partial infrastructure. The land use classification is low density residential, and the staff recommendation is for approval. The City of Goose Creek Comprehensive Plan, which was amended in February of 2024, designates the parcel as low density residential, and it describes this designation as areas that will be developed in both new and existing neighborhoods that promote a sense of community. The land use section of the comprehensive plan specifically designates designates an emphasis on annexation in donut holes in existing residential areas. A vicinity zoning map has been provided in the packet.
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