York County Council Meeting Summary – February 17, 2025

Call to Order & Invocation
Chairwoman Christi Cox called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM at the York County Government Center. Councilmember William “Bump” Roddey led the invocation and pledge of allegiance. He also took a moment to wish Chairwoman Cox a happy birthday, recognizing her leadership and contributions.

Board and Commission Appointments

The council swore in new members for various county boards and commissions, including:

• Rock Hill/York County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau: Indira Eskieva, Porter Gable, Hiram Hutchison, David Angel, Shea Maple, Lamar Thompson.
• York County Forever: Dawn Posey (District 1) and Jennifer McAdams (Ex Officio).
• Stormwater Appeals Board: Flint Holbrook.

The council expressed gratitude to these individuals for their service.

Special Recognition

Sheriff Tony Breeden and county officials honored Lisa Love-Salinas for her 17 years of service with the York County Sheriff’s Department. She was praised for her dedication, leadership, and positive influence on colleagues and inmates. She announced her plans to retire and open a flower shop.

Public Forum

Six individuals addressed the council on various community concerns, including:

• Rezoning Requests:

  • Some residents expressed opposition to rezoning cases affecting their neighborhoods.
  • A representative from Ognibene North America, LLC supported a zoning change for their new facility in Fort Mill.
  • A resident urged the council to maintain a light industrial designation rather than heavy industrial for a local business.

• Pennies for Progress Overlay Concerns:

  • A property owner raised issues about an infrastructure project affecting their land, citing lack of notice and transparency.

• Concerns Over Silfab Facility:

  • A speaker expressed concerns about hazardous chemicals used in the facility near schools and homes.
  • The council reiterated that legal proceedings were still underway regarding the facility’s compliance with zoning regulations.

Consent Agenda

The council approved multiple items, including:

1. Rezoning Deferrals & Second Readings

   • Deferred: Case #24-58 (Ogden Road, Fort Mill).
   • Approved Second Readings: Cases #24-63, #24-64, #24-65, #24-67, #24-68 (various rezoning requests in Clover, Rock Hill, and Fort Mill).

2. Zoning & Infrastructure Ordinances

   • Amended parking and vehicle storage rules for agricultural and residential areas.
   • Modified the York County Land Development Code to adjust road classifications and egress requirements.

3. Contract Approvals

   • Approved a $70,495 contract amendment for York County Government Center renovations.
   • Approved a $150,000 economic development grant application for Project Unagi.
   • Approved contract amendments related to SC 72 widening and fiber optic installation projects.

Public Hearings & First Readings

1. Administrative Adjustments to Zoning Code

   • Proposal to allow minor deviations to zoning standards (e.g., setbacks, building heights) without requiring Board of Zoning Appeals approval in certain cases.
   • Approved for first reading after discussion on associated costs and process.

2. Accessory Structure Standards Update

   • Proposed eliminating Lake Wylie Overlay-specific restrictions, increasing allowable accessory structure sizes, and standardizing countywide regulations.
   • Some council members argued for further relaxing restrictions, particularly for RV garages and workshops.

Old Business & Final Votes

1. Rezoning Case #24-59 (Dredging Facility, Clover)

   • Rezoned from RMX-20 to Light Industrial with deed restrictions limiting uses to dredging and dock work.
   • Passed 5-2 after debate on balancing lakefront property needs with land-use planning.

2. Rezoning Case #24-66 (Ognibene North America Facility, Fort Mill)

   • Rezoned 16.77 acres on Wilson Business Parkway, Fort Mill  from Light Industrial to Industrial Development for a manufacturing facility.
   • Approved unanimously.

Committee Reports

1. Economic Development Committee

   • Welcomed Mitch Miller as the new Economic Development Director.
   • Discussed defining funding priorities for economic development initiatives.
   • Reviewed updates to the York County Small Business Digital Toolkit to assist local entrepreneurs.

2. Planning & Zoning Committee

   • Reviewed proposed rural zoning changes and gathered feedback for upcoming revisions.

3. Finance & Operations Committee

   • Approved multiple board and committee appointments.
   • Allocated $3,000 in district funds to the York County Humane Society.

Other Council Comments

1. Animal Control Facility Concerns

   • Council members expressed concerns about the high costs of a new animal control facility and suggested reviewing alternatives.

2. Rental Late Fee Regulations

   • Councilmember William “Bump” Roddey raised concerns about excessive rental late fees (up to 25% of monthly rent) leading to evictions and homelessness.
   • Proposed looking into local or state-level policy changes to cap fees, similar to North Carolina’s 5% limit.

Executive Session & Adjournment

The council entered an executive session to discuss legal matters, roadway agreements, and county attorney personnel reviews. No action was taken.

The meeting adjourned after celebrating Chairwoman Cox’s birthday.