Lancaster County Council on Monday, Oct. 12, passed the county’s rewritten Unified Development Ordinance on second reading. The vote leaves the multiyear overhaul of zoning and subdivision rules one vote from adoption.
Council also heard that two planned EMS stations will cost about $7.8 million, more than twice the money set aside for them, and gave staff informal direction to find a way to build both. Every vote was 6-0. Council Member Stuart Graham was absent; Chair Brian Carnes said Graham was stranded in Philadelphia on his way back from an international flight.
Development code nears final vote
No one signed up to speak at the public hearing on Ordinance 2026-2059, which repeals and replaces the county’s development code. The county’s consultant said the public hearing draft, dated Oct. 8, reflects the changes council made at first reading on Sept. 1 and later recommendations from the Planning Commission. The consultant said the county received 125 online comments from 13 people during the review.
County Administrator Brian Tucker told council that staff wants the same document in front of it at third reading, set for two weeks from now. He said this was effectively council’s last chance to raise changes.
During citizen comments, one resident urged council to pass the ordinance and later consider counting wetlands and floodplains toward open space requirements. A representative of the Manufactured Housing Institute of South Carolina said the draft still excludes manufactured homes from several districts that allow site-built houses. She also said a provision on replacement homes in nonconforming communities could conflict with a state law passed this year.
EMS stations cost twice the estimate
Deputy County Administrator Stephany Snowden said bids put a new Heath Springs EMS Station 7 at about $3.94 million and a new Van Wyck EMS Station 10 at about $3.87 million. The Heath Springs station would replace a deteriorating trailer. Van Wyck call volume is up 53.5% since 2020. Both stations, at about 5,940 square feet with four bays, reuse the design of existing stations in Indian Land.
Capital project sales tax 3 covers about $3.6 million, leaving a $4.2 million shortfall.
Tucker said the county could build only the Heath Springs station, which ranks higher on the sales tax list, or find money for both. Several council members said they want both built. EMS Director Clay Catoe said crews must leave the Heath Springs station whenever the wind blows, and maintenance workers have covered holes in the floor with plywood.
Tucker said staff will bring back a funding plan for both stations and share the bids with council.
Steady debt millage floated
Tucker asked council to consider setting a fixed debt service millage so the county can plan capital projects years ahead. He said the county’s debt millage has swung between about 2.5 and 11.25 mills since 2016 and now sits at the low end. Bob Damron of Compass Municipal Advisors said the county has about $50 million in borrowing capacity under its 8% debt limit. He said the county could likely finance $15 million in projects by gradually raising the debt levy to about 7 mills.
Some council members pushed back. One said he wants a full accounting of capital project sales tax 3 before approving more money, noting the account is expected to end with a surplus. Another said any surplus should go to the $90 million detention center. A third said he would not support spending more than the $6 million already set aside for the planned Indian Land fire station on Harrisburg Road. The county received 17 submissions from design-build firms for that project on Oct. 2 and expects firm costs by early 2027.
Staff also outlined a proposed corporate hangar at the county airport, with about $1.05 million available from the sales tax and South Carolina Aeronautics.
Jail opening pushed to July 2027
Chad Catledge said the Williford L. Faile Detention Center is 74% complete. About $58 million of the $90 million budget has been spent. Substantial completion is now set for March 2027, with inmates moving in by July 2027, about three months later than reported earlier. Catledge said the team chose to resequence the remaining work rather than add crews. He said new state jail regulations could allow 20 to 30 beds beyond the 330 planned.
Archives center to open in January
William Shaw, executive director of the Lancaster County Society for Historical Preservation, said the old 1936 library and the former Clemson Extension building on West Gay Street have been restored as the Lancaster County Archives Center. The society raised $2.13 million for construction, including $1.9 million from the state. A public dedication is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The center will open two days a week in January and expand to Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in June 2027. Shaw said operating costs after the first year will run about $170,000 a year and asked the county for help. The society’s next project is turning the old jail next door into a visitors center and museum.
Other business
On the consent agenda, council gave final approval to rezone about 0.955 acres at 792 Fort Mill Highway to Neighborhood Business. Council passed a budget amendment, Ordinance 2026-2058, on third reading. It also passed Ordinance 2026-2060 on second reading; that ordinance sets up a special revenue fund for state supplemental appropriations. Council reappointed Marky Trinkle to the Van Wyck Fire Protection Fee District Board and appointed Jeffrey Kirby to the Community Outreach and Engagement Advisory Committee as the District 4 representative.
Residents of a neighborhood next to the planned regional sports park off Charlotte Highway (U.S. 521) raised concerns about traffic, noise and the park’s 10 p.m. closing time. They asked for a traffic light at the neighborhood entrance and said they will return to future meetings.
Council meets next on Oct. 26, when the UDO is scheduled for third reading.
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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.
