Lancaster County Council voted 7-0 on Monday, Sept. 28, to reject a development agreement for a 92-lot subdivision after the developer declined to pay the impact fees recommended by the council’s ad hoc development agreement committee.
The vote signals that council intends to hold developers to a common impact fee standard while the county completes its own impact fee study, now expected to finish by the end of February. Council also gave first-reading approval to $1.44 million in state money for local projects, including $750,000 for the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.
Subdivision agreement fails
The agreement with AM Group Land Holdings LLC covered about 47 acres planned for a 92-lot cluster subdivision. County Administrator Brian Tucker said the developer offered $6,375 per home in impact fees: $4,000 for the Lancaster County School District, $2,000 for public safety and $375 for parks and recreation.
Council member Steve Harper, who chairs the ad hoc committee, said the committee met with the developer twice and told them a recent agreement at North Haven would serve as the county’s template for impact fees on similar developments going forward. The developer did not agree and brought a lower offer to full council instead, Harper said. No council member voted in favor.
Tucker noted the school district is still working through its own impact fee study.
Impact fee study stays on track
Council unanimously adopted a resolution keeping last year’s capital improvement plan and development impact fee work in force, with a new anticipated completion date of Feb. 28, 2027. Harper asked that the study determine whether existing planned developments, including Edgewater and RiverChase, are subject to the fees, since much of the county’s growth over the next 15 years will come along U.S. 521 under those earlier approvals. Council agreed to have consultant TischlerBise walk members through its methodology at a future work session.
State money and budget changes
Council gave first reading to a budget amendment accepting $1,441,000 in state supplemental appropriations signed by the governor Sept. 1. Beyond the sheriff’s office funding, the money includes $391,000 for the Flat Creek walking trail and playground, $150,000 for a mobile counseling unit run by Counseling Services of Lancaster County, $100,000 for the Heath Springs Business Park and $50,000 for a coroner’s office mounted response unit. Unspent funds carry over to future years.
Council also passed second reading of a separate amendment moving $886,000 from the county’s unassigned fund balance to finish renovating the Burns building for the information technology and fleet departments.
Other business
Council passed second reading of a rezoning for just under 1 acre at 792 Fort Mill Highway from medium density residential to neighborhood business. Staff also reported that the applicant has withdrawn a request to rezone about 51 acres on Olin Yarborough Road to regional business.
Tucker recognized seven employees of the quarter from county departments including EMS, parks and recreation, procurement, building and the sheriff’s office. During public comment, a resident invited the public to an Oct. 16 community event at the Lancaster County Library, which requires an RSVP.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
