Lancaster City Council on Tuesday, May 26, annexed an 8.64-acre tract on Charlotte Highway for a planned medical office, advanced the rezoning of a vacant Chesterfield Avenue building so a pediatric occupational therapy practice can open there, and authorized public possession of beer and wine at the city’s 2026 Juneteenth Freedom Celebration.
All three measures passed by roll call vote during the regular meeting at City Hall, with Mayor T. Alston DeVenny presiding and Council Members Harris, Hood, Marsh, Koss and Miller present.
The actions cleared the way for two health care projects that city staff and supporters said would expand local access to medical and therapy services for Lancaster families. The Juneteenth resolution sets the alcohol rules for what city officials expect to be one of the largest downtown gatherings of the year.
Charlotte Highway annexation clears second reading
Council unanimously approved second reading of Ordinance O26-06, annexing 8.64 acres at 1867 Charlotte Highway into the city. The property is owned by 1867 LLC, whose members include Dr. Kumari Ramesh, an internal medicine physician who previously practiced in Lancaster and plans to develop the site as a professional office complex.
Building, Planning, Zoning and Licensing Director Louis Streater told council the property sits just south of the old Burn Center on U.S. 521 and is consistent with the city’s Future Land Use Map, which identifies the parcel as a growth area. Streater confirmed in response to a question from the mayor that a portion of the tract lies in the flood plain, but said enough usable acreage remains for the planned building and parking.
The parcel will carry an interim B-3 General Commercial zoning classification pending final rezoning under the city’s zoning ordinance. According to the staff memo, the property currently has an assessed valuation of $598,340 and is projected to generate roughly $7,610 a year in city property tax revenue at the 6 percent commercial rate, with an estimated additional $25,000 a year possible once the medical offices are built.
First reading was approved at the May 12 work session.
Pediatric therapy rezoning advances on first reading
Council also gave first reading approval to Ordinance O26-07, rezoning 0.478 acres at 207 Chesterfield Avenue from B-2 Neighborhood Commercial to B-1 Central Business. The property, owned by James C. Crumpler, last housed the Isley Surveying Company and now sits vacant.
The rezoning would allow Butterfly Pediatric Therapy, owned by occupational therapist Melissa Tanner, to open a pediatric outpatient occupational therapy practice at the site. Tanner addressed council during citizen comments, telling members the practice would serve children with developmental delays, sensory processing challenges, autism spectrum disorder, and feeding and motor difficulties.
“Many families currently travel outside of our area to receive specialized pediatric therapy services,” Tanner said. She told council that she sees 14 children after school, currently accepts only Medicaid, and has a waitlist of 25 families. Documentation submitted with the rezoning application lists the nearest comparable providers in Indian Land, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Waxhaw, Charlotte and Columbia, with travel distances ranging from roughly 17 to more than 60 miles.
A child who receives therapy from Tanner also spoke briefly in support of the request.
Streater told council the Lancaster City Planning Commission held the required public hearing on May 5 and recommended approval, and that staff concurred. He explained that staff initially looked at whether the proposed use could fit within existing zoning, including consulting the Catawba Regional Council of Governments, before determining a rezoning was the cleanest path forward.
The motion passed with Council Member Koss recusing herself. Letters of support submitted with the application included one from Junia and Bailey Koss and one from Michele Koss of Little Fox Academy. Second reading is scheduled for the June 9 meeting.
Juneteenth festival alcohol resolution approved
Council unanimously approved Resolution R26-12, authorizing public possession and consumption of beer and wine within the designated Juneteenth festival footprint on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13. The festival will run from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, with performers taking the stage at the green space at Main and Gay streets beginning at 6 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.
The two-day event will include live music, food trucks, vendors, a kids zone, and a car and bike show. The South Carolina Department of Transportation has approved the temporary closure of portions of Main, Gay, Dunlap and Arch streets. According to the staff memo, the 2025 festival drew more than 26,000 visitors, and staff are anticipating higher turnout this year.
Under the resolution, only businesses inside or fronting the special event area that hold a valid South Carolina Department of Revenue on-premise license, current city business license, and liquor liability insurance may sell beer and wine for public consumption. Attendees must show identification, wear a wristband, and use clear plastic cups supplied by the Events and Promotions Department. Police Chief Don Roper told council the city has run similar zones for several years without significant incidents.
Citizen comments and monthly reports
In addition to Tanner, Andy Michael of 1640 Logan Terry Road thanked council for ongoing conversations about a community skate park and said supporters have identified potential locations using underused recreational space and existing concrete pads. He asked council to keep looking at interim options while a longer-term plan develops.
During the monthly reports discussion, Council Member Harris highlighted growth in business license tax revenue shown in the HdL report, crediting an earlier council push to pursue businesses that had not been paying their share. Council Member Marsh asked City Administrator Flip Hutfles for an update on a resident’s request for a retaining wall behind new homes off West Barr Street and pressed staff for a stronger promotional roll out for the Juneteenth festival, noting that the Red Rose Festival received a full month of advance promotion. Hutfles said he would address the marketing concern the next morning.
Council also discussed continued conversations with Lancaster County about the future of solid waste disposal, with Hutfles saying the county is evaluating options that may not involve continuing to bring trash to the city’s transfer station. The mayor and chief recognized the police department for hosting an event earlier in the day related to its K-9 program.
The next regular meeting of Lancaster City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, at City Hall.
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