Spring Hill residents are upset.

More than 140 of them showed up at a Dec. 2 public meeting to protest the rezoning proposal.

An online petition protesting the rezoning gathered 944 signatures.

The Richland County Planning Commission recommended denying the rezoning in the northwestern rural area of Spring Hill.

Realtor Vicki Brooks filed a request in November to rezone 17.79 acres from rural to General Commercial.

Terrill Tuten, the owner of Anderson Oil Company, said he said he hoped the neighbors would welcome a gas station, Dollar General, or a pharmacy.

Brooks also requested a zoning change on the adjacent property for high-density housing for 192 units on 12 acres. This request for apartments was withdrawn before the Planning Commission meeting.

Those opposed say the request is not following the Richland County Comprehensive Plan. Other concerns were the area’s lack of essential infrastructure, including roads, public safety, and emergency personnel.

Matt Gerrald said, “The proposed rezoning at the corner of Broad River Road and Freshly Mill is plainly inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s designation of the northwestern area of Richland County as a rural area, and we are glad the planning commission unanimously agreed.”

The planning commission documents state the rural zoning designation is for areas targeted for future land conservation, active agricultural lands, historical, cultural, and natural resources to be conserved through land-use planning, which upholds unique attributes of the community.

Brooks said,” I am disappointed in the denial. A gas station and drugstore actually lowers the traffic count because it services the homes that are near. They don’t have to drive outside their community.

“Townhomes for the elderly would be a nice asset to the area. It would give seniors an opportunity to live close to their families.”

The rezoning request goes before the county council Feb. 25, 2020.