Jul. 4—ANDERSON — A request to use the former Odell Photography building as an event center has been denied by the Anderson Board of Zoning Appeals.

The board Wednesday voted unanimously to deny a request for a special exception submitted by Bruce Harter and Oscar Gonzales because of several concerns raised by the Anderson Municipal Development Department staff and local residents.

Tim Stires, deputy director of the Anderson Municipal Development Department, said a previous request was withdrawn in March after it was learned the intention was to open a members-only adult club or swingers club with bedrooms on the second floor.

He said the newest request was for the opening of an event center in the 11,000-square-foot building with hours of operation from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends.

Stires said the owners want to rent the space for birthday parties, weddings, reunions, and retirement and anniversary parties.

The staff recommended denial because the proposed event center is located in a residential neighborhood and would attract large crowds and excessive noise. Additionally, there is inadequate parking with the property’s current configuration.

Although Gonzales initially said there were 45 parking spaces on the property, the submitted site plan showed 26 spaces.

He said Harter would remain in South Carolina and the special exception is needed for a potential buyer.

“Why is the special exception needed to increase the value of the property?” BZA member Greg Spencer asked. “The potential buyer should be asking for the special exception.”

OTHER BUSINESS

The BZA approved an amended development plan for the former Walgreen’s store in downtown Anderson.

The BZA approved a special exception in 2022 for VR Empire for a gas station and convenience store at the intersection of 14th and Jackson streets.

The approval was granted with the understanding that up to 2,000 square feet of the building would be used for the sale of fresh produce.

The amended development plan reduces the amount of space for the planned mini-food market, according to Stires.

He said the plan also calls for converting some of the space for use by five to eight tenants.

Attorney Ray Basile said the Walgreen’s building has remained vacant for nine years and no one was interested in purchasing the property.

He said the plans for the building changed when the city approved a gas station and convenience store directly across from the property.

“The proposal for a gas station across the street with a lower financial investment changed the plans,” Basile said.

“Ravi Singh is committed to the project,” he added. “He is investing $1.8 million, not including the purchase price.”

He said additional tenant space was needed to offset the cost of remodeling the property.

“A market concept won’t work financially at this location,” Basile said. “None of the other plans have changed.”

Rudy Williams, president of the BZA, said he has been waiting two years for the project to get off the drawing board.

“I’m glad you’re going to stay the course,” he said.

Basile said the gas station should open in August.

“This makes sense,” Spencer said of the revised development plans.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.