York County Council Denies Lurecliff Place Rezoning, Debates Fort Mill School Impact Fees, and Discusses EMS Transition to Atrium Health

The York County Council convened on March 17, 2025, at the York County Government Center for a regular meeting. The session, led by Chairwoman Christi Cox, included the swearing-in of new board and commission members, public forum discussions, zoning and infrastructure decisions, and emergency services updates. Key legislative actions involved rezoning approvals, infrastructure improvements, and the allocation of $3.1 million for road projects.

1. Oath of Office for Board and Commission Members

The Council swore in the following newly appointed board and commission members:

Bethel Fire Tax District Board
- Joseph Costello
- Walter Wilkes
- Michael Robbe
Board of Assessment Appeals (District 2)
- John Jiminez
Lake Wylie Parks and Recreation District
- Michael Hurst
- Dennis Kelley
Catawba Regional Council of Governments
- Stacey Moore
Rock Hill/York County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (At Large)
- Brian Jones
Keep York County Beautiful (District 2)
- Amy Hutchins

Chairwoman Cox expressed appreciation for their volunteer service and emphasized the critical role they play in supporting county governance.

2. Public Forum Session

During the 30-minute public forum, citizens raised concerns about:

Zoning regulations and their impact on homeowners
Errors in county property records
Local business operation concerns

Chairwoman Cox clarified the Council’s jurisdiction over zoning and stated that some issues would need to be resolved in court.

Legislative Actions and Approvals

1. Consent Agenda Approvals

Approval of minutes from February 17 and March 3, 2025, meetings.
Second reading approval for rezoning a parcel at 1850 Dobys Bridge Road, Fort Mill, from RMX-10 (residential) to OI (office-institutional) to allow for an 8,000-square-foot office development
Approval of the third reading of a zoning ordinance amendment, permitting minor administrative adjustments to zoning regulations
Second reading approval for the sale of county-owned surplus property on Kanawha Street, Fort Mill, for $47,500

2. Infrastructure and Development Decisions

Road Improvement Funding: Council approved the allocation of $3.1 million for road infrastructure, divided equally among Council districts to address localized road improvement needs
Public Works Contracts: A $366,835 contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. was approved for the design of the US 321/Old North Main Intersection as part of the Pennies for Progress 5 program
Solid Waste Equipment Purchase: Council approved $154,214 for the purchase of four stationary compactors and ten octagon receivers to improve solid waste collection and recycling services

Public Hearings and Zoning Requests

1. Rezoning Requests and Approvals

1850 Dobys Bridge Road, Fort Mill: Approved rezoning from RMX-10 (residential) to OI (office-institutional) to allow for an 8,000-square-foot office development
Accessory Structure Regulations – Lake Wylie Overlay: Council held a public hearing regarding modifications to accessory structure regulations in the Lake Wylie Overlay District, addressing concerns over setbacks, building heights, and permissible land use
Nonconforming Lot Adjustments: A zoning ordinance was proposed to allow minor adjustments to nonconforming lots under specific conditions, aiming to provide greater flexibility to property owners while maintaining zoning integrity

2. Denied Rezoning Request – Lurecliff Place, Fort Mill (Case #25-01)

Applicant: Oz Custom Built Homes Inc.
Owner: Oz Custom Built Homes Inc.
Requested Action: Rezone 7.46 acres from RSF-40 (Residential Single-Family, Low Density) to RMX-10 (Residential Mixed-Use, Higher Density) to construct 15 single-family detached homes.
Location: Lurecliff Place, Fort Mill (Council District 1).
Planning Commission Recommendation: Denial (5-0 vote).
Council Decision: First reading was considered, but the request was ultimately denied due to its inconsistency with the county’s Future Land Use designation for Single-Family Residential

3. Fort Mill School District Impact Fee

Council held a public hearing and considered the second reading of an ordinance to implement an education impact fee for new residential developments in Fort Mill.
The fee is proposed as follows:
- $29,640 per single-family home
- $20,796 per multi-family unit
These fees are intended to fund school infrastructure improvements to accommodate rapid population growth

Emergency Services and Economic Development

1. EMS Transition to Atrium Health

Council discussed transferring Fort Mill EMS services to Atrium Health Fort Mill to maintain Advanced Life Support (ALS) services and emergency response efficiency.
The transition aims to enhance emergency medical services without additional financial strain on the county

2. Economic Development Update

The Economic Development Committee presented an update on county economic initiatives, highlighting upcoming business investments and infrastructure expansion projects

Executive Session and Conclusion

The Council entered an executive session to discuss:
- Legal matters related to pending litigation.
- Condemnation proceedings for the Flint Hill Street Drainage Improvements project.
No additional legislative actions were taken after returning from the closed session.
The meeting adjourned with a reminder of the upcoming Council retreat, which will focus on long-term infrastructure planning and road improvement strategies

Key Takeaways:

Council approved $3.1 million for road improvements, dividing funds among districts.
Rezoning request for Lurecliff Place, Fort Mill, was denied due to inconsistency with land use plans.
A new Fort Mill School District impact fee was debated to fund educational infrastructure.
Fort Mill EMS services may transition to Atrium Health, ensuring sustained emergency medical support.
Council is enhancing public works infrastructure, approving contracts for intersection improvements and solid waste equipment.
Newly appointed board and commission members were sworn in.
The next council meeting will address ongoing development projects and zoning adjustments.