Lancaster City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 13, gave first-reading approval to rezone a Dixon Road parcel for a 12-unit affordable apartment building, after state Rep. Brandon Newton briefed members on nearly $2.8 million in state appropriations headed to city projects.
Council also approved first reading of two annexations and authorized beer and wine sales for an Oct. 24 downtown benefit for Lancaster High School Assistant Principal Lee Sinclair. Every vote at the work session was unanimous.
State money for police, greenway and downtown
Newton, who said he is the first Lancaster city resident to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee since the 1980s, outlined three appropriations in this year’s state budget: $650,000 to replace Lancaster Police Department vehicles, $1.138 million for the Lindsay Pettus Greenway and $991,000 for the revitalization of the long-vacant Ellen Dean Hotel downtown.
The police chief said the vehicle money will let the department set up a regular replacement rotation instead of buying a large batch of cars every few years.
Greenway supporters said the trail now has about three miles on the ground, ending near the hospital. The state money will help extend it to the county-managed recreation center on city-owned property.
A representative of Ellen Dean Development said crews are midway through demolition, environmental abatement and structural shoring, with that phase set to finish in December. The $11.5 million project will create 18 market-rate one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with ground-floor office and retail space. The developer expects to close financing and break ground in early spring, with construction taking roughly 12 to 14 months. About $3.4 million in federal and state historic tax credits also supports the project.
Newton told council the appropriations are one-time money and encouraged the city to start lining up capital requests for next year, particularly for public safety, downtown revitalization and green space.
Dixon Road apartments
Ordinance O26-18 would rezone 1.032 acres at 273 Dixon Road, owned by the Mace Green Trust, to MF Multi-Family. Owner Mace Green Jr. plans a two-story building with 12 three-bedroom, two-bath units of about 1,200 square feet each, at an estimated cost of $3 million.
According to the agenda packet, rents will not exceed the HUD fiscal 2026 fair market rent, which is $1,382 a month for a three-bedroom unit in Lancaster County. Green told council the units will be income based and that he has begun applying for federal assistance. Staff estimate the finished project will generate about $40,000 a year in property taxes.
Building, Planning, Zoning and Licensing Director Louis Streater said the parcel was recently annexed and still carries interim zoning. The Planning Commission recommended approval after a June 2 public hearing at which no one spoke in opposition. One council member asked about parking. The site plan shows 24 spaces, which Streater said meets the requirement.
Mayor Alston DeVenny said affordable options are shrinking as rents follow market rates, and that any assisted housing the city can add is a positive.
Annexations on Roberts Drive and 6th Street
Council approved first reading of O26-16, annexing 0.44 acres at 1004 Roberts Drive, owned by Eduardo Torres Sanchez. Water service to the rental property was cut off in June 2025, and city code requires an annexation petition before service can be restored to a structure that has been disconnected for more than six months. Staff said it is the first Roberts Drive annexation in at least 26 years. The property is expected to bring in about $1,444 a year in city property taxes.
O26-17 annexes 0.15 acres at 1147 6th Street, owned by Mango Builders LLC. Streater said the builder put up a new single-family home under county permits without the city sewer availability letter the county normally requires, and the city required the annexation petition once the owner sought sewer service. Staff project about $903 a year in property taxes.
Downtown benefit Oct. 24
Resolution R26-18 allows beer and wine in specially marked cups from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in a downtown area bounded by Dunlap Street, Elm Street and Chesterfield Avenue, Catawba Street and White Street. Gay Street will close between Main and Catawba streets for the benefit, which raises money for Sinclair’s throat cancer treatment. Buyers must show ID and wear a wristband.
Events Manager Lisa Roddey said downtown businesses organized the event, which runs from 1 to 6:30 p.m. with live music, raffles, an auction and a bake sale. The benefit committee will pay for two off-duty officers and cleanup.
In other business, council approved the Sept. 22 minutes. During public comment, Arts Lancaster promoted several October events and noted the Springs House is scheduled for city-funded renovations beginning Oct. 26.
The three ordinances return for second reading at council’s Oct. 27 meeting.
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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.
