York County Council Defers Clover School District Impact Fee Increase at November 3rd Meeting.

The York County Council held a Regular Meeting on November 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the York County Government Center.

High-Level Summary of Key Items and Actions

The meeting began with a moment of recognition and community engagement, followed by the approval of the Consent Agenda. The most contentious item was the Old Business consideration of the Clover School District Impact Fee, which ultimately resulted in a motion to defer for further legal advice after an extensive discussion and presentation. Five Rezoning Actions were considered during the Public Hearing session, all of which were ultimately approved for their respective readings.

Key items and actions included:

Recognition of First Responders who assisted with the Horry County Wildland Fires.
Recognition of York County 4-H Legislative Day.
Approval of Rezoning Case #25-17 (Newport Commons PD Amendment) on Second Reading.
Approval of Rezoning Case #25-30 (York County Natural Gas Authority) on Third Reading.
Deferral of the Clover School District Impact Fee Ordinance (Second Reading).
Approval of Piedmont Medical Center Board nominees.

Detailed Summary of Agenda Items

1. Appearances

First Responders Recognition: Council and staff recognized first responders who assisted with the Horry County Wildland Fires on March 1, 2025. This included personnel and equipment from several fire departments and York County Emergency Management/Fire Services. Horry County had formally adopted a resolution and presented a plaque in honor of their service.
York County 4-H Recognition: Council recognized the York County 4-H Legislative Day. Members of the 4-H program, including Noah McManus, Abby Ellis, and Colby Allen, shared their positive experiences and the program’s impact, followed by the recitation of the 4-H Pledge.

2. Public Forum Session

The session was limited to thirty (30) minutes.
Leanne Shadek (18:17) spoke about the Silabb Solar Manufacturing Plant safety risks and John Gosset (20:33) spoke on the necessity of the Clover School District Impact Fee.
The remainder of the session was dominated by citizens speaking in favor of the full Clover School District Impact Fee

3. Consent Agenda (Approved)

Approved the minutes from the October 14, 2025 Council workshop.
Approved the minutes from the October 20, 2025 Council meeting.
Approved Rezoning Action Case #25-37 for Third Reading (Rezone from UD to RSF-30) for Mark Lindsey on Porter Road, Rock Hill. The request aims to allow for the combination of the parcel with an adjacent one, with a condition that the recombined parcel meets the 30,000 SF minimum lot size.
Received the FY 2024-2025 Annual Development Report as information.
Received the 2024 Annual Land Use Codes Report as information.
Approved Change Order #1 for the construction of two custom Pierce Pumpers for the Riverview and McConnells Fire Departments for a total cost of $9,105.28.
Approved the Vehicle Replacement Committee’s recommendation for vehicle replacements for FY 2026 (39 vehicles, removing 2, and replacing 1 surplus police interceptor SUV).
Approved the commitment to abandon a segment of RPC Road in Fort Mill upon completion of the I-77/SC 160 Interchange project.
Approved nominated applicants for service for Boards & Commissions.

4. Public Hearing(s) and Rezoning Actions (All Approved)

Case #25-17 (Newport Commons PD Amendment): Held Public Hearing and considered Second Reading (Rezone from RUD, GC, and PD to PD and GC, 97.0 acres). The request amends the existing PD to accommodate a mixed-use center with commercial (up to 300,000 SF retail/office) and residential opportunities (up to 247 units). This proposal was argued to be a better alternative than the previously approved 2008 PD, which allowed for 630 apartment units. Motion to Approve passed.
Case #25-26: Held Public Hearing and considered First Reading (Rezone from AGC to RUD, 2.87 acres) for Jay Cleveland Wilson at 1723 Beamguard Road, Clover. The purpose is to subdivide the property and place a manufactured home on the new lot, with staff recommending approval despite inconsistency with the Comp Plan because the property is non-conforming to the 5-acre AGC minimum lot size and the rezoning will create two conforming RUD lots. Motion to Approve passed.
Case #25-30 (York County Natural Gas Authority): Held Public Hearing and considered Third Reading (Rezone from AGC and OI to LI, 28.0 acres) for 1299 Schlumberger Road, Fort Mill. The request is to utilize the existing building for a Support Operations Center. The applicant voluntarily changed the request from ID to the less intensive LI district, necessitating a second public hearing. Motion to Approve passed.
Case #25-38: Held Public Hearing and considered First Reading (Rezone from RSF-30 to NC, 1.74 acres) for Sunbelt Development Properties LLC. The purpose is to consolidate the properties and construct a single multi-tenant mixed-use building with potential for office, retail, and up to 11 Upper-Story Dwellings. Motion to Approve passed.
Case #25-39: Held Public Hearing and considered First Reading (Rezone from UD to GC, 9.99 acres) for Demon Development LLC at 2203 Deerfield Drive, Fort Mill. The purpose is to allow for an upfit of the existing building and a field house expansion for a Health Club and Fitness Center. Motion to Approve passed.

5. Old Business

Clover School District Impact Fee Ordinance (Second Reading): Council considered amending and approving the second reading of an ordinance to revise the impact fees based on an updated study that recommended significantly higher fees: $15,035 for single-family detached, $7,430 for multi-family, and $9,842 for manufactured homes.
- The Clover School District Superintendent provided a presentation to address council’s previous questions, clarifying the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects, funding sources, and millage rate comparison.
- After an Executive Session for legal advice, a motion to approve the ordinance failed for lack of a second.
- A subsequent motion to defer for further legal advice passed 4 to 2.

6. New Business

Piedmont Medical Center Board Nominees: Council discussed and approved nominees for the two upcoming vacant positions on the Piedmont Medical Center Governing Board. Bo Legg (Western side) and Brit Blackwell (at large) were nominated and approved.

7. Committee and Other Reports

Public Works Committee: Chairman Roddey reported on the committee meeting, including updates on the potential costs and model for the animal control facility (targeting cost under $20 million) and a discussion of breeder registration to help curb animal intake.
Council Member New/Non-agenda Comments: Included a reminder of the Veterans Day celebration and a request to refer to the Planning and Zoning committee for discussion on split zoning, non-conforming lots, and developing a tool for ethical conduct by board members.

The meeting adjourned at the conclusion of the second Executive Session.