Summerville Methodist Church finalized the purchase of two parcels of property along Luden Drive at the end of January 2026. While these parcels include a lot of acreage, less than 8 of those acres, which are spread across both parcels, can be built on. The rest of the acreage is either wetlands or in the flood plain.”

The smaller parcel is zoned in Dorchester County. After consulting with the Town of Summerville, SMC learned we would need to annex the smaller, county parcel into the larger, town parcel. In addition, SMC learned the smaller parcel would need to match the zoning of the larger, town parcel, which was zoned MF-R (Multi-Family) at the time SMC purchased it. At the recommendation of the Town, SMC submitted a zoning request for the county property to be annexed into the town to match the zoning of the larger, town parcel.

The following data explains why matching the zoning of the smaller parcel with the larger parcel’s MF-R zoning is the cleanest and most efficient means of annexing the property into the town for the purpose of building our Church.

  • • Summerville Methodist Church purchased both the approximately 4-acre parcel at Luden Drive and King Charles Circle and the adjacent 33-acre tract already located within Town limits.

  • Summerville Methodist Church directly purchased the property and intends to develop and permanently use the site as a church campus. The church’s long-term plan is to develop a unified church campus across the combined property.

  • To combine parcels within the Town of Summerville, zoning classifications must match. The adjacent 33-acre tract is currently zoned MF-R (Multifamily Residential).
    • The annexation and MF-R zoning request is based on the need to align zoning with the existing adjacent tract.
    • The church worked closely with Town staff throughout the process and followed staff guidance regarding zoning alignment.
    • The previously proposed apartment development never purchased the property
    • Multifamily use is already permitted within multiple Town zoning districts, including:
    ◦ D-MX
    ◦ N-MX
    ◦ UC-MX
    ◦ Neighborhood Business (NB)
    ◦ General Business (GB)
    • MF-R is already the prevailing zoning classification along Luden Drive with limited exceptions.
    • The proposed church campus represents one of the lowest-density meaningful uses possible for the property.
    • The church campus will add:
    ◦ zero residential units,
    ◦ zero additional students to local schools,
    ◦ and minimal impact to weekday rush hour traffic and school pickup lines.
    • Church-related traffic primarily occurs outside weekday peak traffic hours.
    • MF-R zoning provides the flexibility necessary for:
    ◦ campus-style development,
    ◦ building placement,
    ◦ parking,
    ◦ circulation,
    ◦ future ministry growth,
    ◦ and preservation of open space.
    • Residential zoning classifications requested by some neighbors substantially limit:
    ◦ lot coverage,
    ◦ building height,
    ◦ parking flexibility,
    ◦ and campus functionality.
    • Under MF-R zoning, building height allowances better accommodate institutional architecture such as sanctuaries, gathering spaces, and church spires.
    • Many churches within the Town of Summerville exist under a variety of zoning classifications because they were established prior to the current Unified Development Ordinance and, in some cases, prior to any zoning existing within the Town.

    Comprehensive Zoning Chart

  • • Prior to purchasing the property, church leadership met with the HOA president and understood the neighborhood would support church use of the property.
    • Summerville Methodist Church proactively communicated with neighbors and HOA leadership regarding its plans for the property.
    • The HOA acknowledged appreciation for the church’s outreach and support for church use of the property.
    • The HOA requested restrictive covenants, future approval rights over land use changes, and a monetary contribution in exchange for supporting the annexation and rezoning request.
    • The church explored multiple compromise options, including:
    ◦ a Right of First Refusal,
    ◦ and deed restrictions.
    • After further investigation, the church determined that deed restrictions could later be amended or removed by current and future property owners and therefore would not provide permanent assurance.


  • • The church intends to preserve substantial natural buffers around the property to minimize impacts to neighboring homes.
    • Summerville Methodist Church remains committed to being a responsible steward of the property and a positive long-term neighbor within the community.