A Lake Wylie shop owner wants to sell her land. York County rule limits who can buy it.

Carla Pendleton wants to sell her family’s bait and tackle shop on SC 49.

The 58-year-old York resident said the family-owned business has operated since the 1970s. With just under two acres, the wooden one-story structure blends into the landscape and seems small compared to the large 7-Eleven gas station adjacent to her business.

For the past two years, Pendleton has been trying to sell her property. She and her mother operate the business and told The Herald that “business is satisfactory, with a busy season during this time of year.”

But she is ready to retire. Pendleton has a buyer for the parcel, but there’s one hitch.

“I have someone wanting to purchase my property and put a car wash in place, and that 660 rule prevents them because of the proximity to the 7-Eleven next door,” she told The Herald last week.

The rule now states similar businesses must be at least 660 feet apart from each other. Businesses that would fall under this separation include: self-storage, food sites with drive-thru or drive-in service, gas stations, restaurants, car detail, washes and vehicle service, repair or customization.

Adopted in 2022, the new set of county zoning rules included updates for the Lake Wylie area that runs from Buster Boyd Bridge west along S.C. 49 to the Three Points intersection with S.C. 274 and 557, then south past the Five Points area where Lake Wylie Road and S.C. 55 join, The Herald previously reported.

“When they adopted that rule, that basically took away people’s usage of their property without properly notifying them,” Pendleton said.

In Lake Wylie, Pendleton is among several business owners and community members who share concerns about the rule and its proposed changes. They argue it restricts property use and violates business owners rights.

Tom Smith, co-owner of May Green Properties, criticized the plan.

“This ordinance seems illogical,” he said. “It was created based on preferences rather than addressing traffic patterns, reducing curb cuts, or enhancing safety.”

Although supportive of the bill, Councilman William “Bump” Roddey questioned the ordinance, advocating for a specific list of businesses the council aims to restrict. He emphasized that if research supports placing a business in the area, he would put one there.

The County Planning Commission recommended exempting certain types of businesses from the original ordinance. These include automobile, truck, recreational vehicle, boat and marine, and motorcycle and ATV service, repairs, storage facilities and fuel centers.

The council voted Monday evening 5 to 1 in favor of the changes, but also said it needed to send other aspects of the amended ordinance back to zoning and planning departments for further review.

“What we have now is very reduced,” said Christie Cox, the York County Council chairwoman. “What is proposed is very different from what we had before and I am not even sure how it affects some of the people.

“I will support this amendment because it addresses the issues, but this is the bad way to go about it. We have been talking about it for so long.”

Why do we need a separation ordinance?

Council member Allison Love, who recently lost the primary in her reelection bid, said the separating ordinance was specifically designed for the Lake Wylie business district following extensive public input.

She added, she was unaware of businesses opposed to the ordinance.

“I believe even many existing businesses in those categories would welcome more variety.”

Smith, who has been in property development for over 20 years, believes county board members have not been transparent with local business owners. “You need to have a pulse on what’s going on,” he said. “Otherwise, you lose that community sense.”

Jeff Ledford, board chairman of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce, also opposes the plan and questions its benefits.

“It contradicts basic urban planning principles that recommend clustering similar businesses,” he said. “There’s already an approved small area plan that the county council and community leaders endorsed years ago. While that plan can be reviewed and adjusted as needed, this ordinance clearly conflicts with its intentions.”

When asked how other affected business owners and residents can become more involved or even prevent the plan’s approval, Ledford advised, “Educate yourself about the ordinance, attend county meetings, or watch them online. Share your views with the county council and manager.”

“The more public input they receive, the better-informed their decisions will be regarding whether to support or oppose it.”

A few residents also supported the ordinance during a Feb. 19 meeting, arguing that the council should maintain the 660-foot restriction and prevent further car service businesses in the area.

This story was originally published June 18, 2024 at 6:00 AM.