The Saluda Board of Commissioners is considering a rezoning request for a property that is currently zoned R-1 (residential) and C-2 (commercial) with a request to rezone the property to all C-2, but the planning board recommends the city deny the request.

The Saluda Board of Commissioners met July 11 and discussed the proposal to rezone the property to commercial. The parcel is owned by Judy Ward and fronts Louisiana Avenue.

The Saluda Planning Board met in June and recommended denying the rezoning request.

The planning board said in its disapproval of Ward’s rezoning request from R1 to C2 that the request is not in the public interest, does not represent a reasonable adjustment to the City of Saluda’s zoning and is not consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.

The board of commissioners did set a public hearing for Aug. 8 to hear from the public. Adjacent property owners were also sent a letter regarding the rezoning request.

Saluda City Manager Jonathan Cannon said the city board of commissioners does not have to go with the recommendation of the planning board, meaning commissioners could choose to accept or deny the request to rezone the property to all commercial.

City attorney Bailey Nager said commissioners have the discretion to hold a public hearing or not.

After some discussion, commissioners decided to go forward with a public hearing next month.

The planning board recommends the city disapprove of the rezoning based on the fact that all other properties adjoining Ward’s property fronting Louisiana Avenue, those directly across Louisiana Avenue, as well as almost all of Louisiana Avenue are zoned residential.

The planning board also said in its recommendation that there are no sidewalks on Louisiana Avenue and it is a busy street where walking becomes a safety issue.

The commercial traffic on Louisiana Avenue would become detrimental to the neighborhood, according to the planning board’s recommendation and the road is narrow and winding.

The planning board also said currently all land-use trends suggest the neighborhood will remain solidly residential in the area.