Lancaster County Newsletter
​📬 December 2025

Commercial Development- Roads- County news

Missed a county council meeting? - See below for recap:

​November 24, 2025​
​December 8th, 2025​

🎭 Highlighting the Good: Culture & History in Our Backyard

If you’re looking for good news and vibrant culture in Lancaster, check out the Lancaster Cultural Arts Center, located in the beautifully restored Old Presbyterian Church (built in 1862) on West Gay Street.

The Lancaster County Society for Historical Preservation has done incredible work revitalizing the Cultural Arts District. The Arts Center hosts a fantastic lineup of concerts (from Americana to classical) and a thoughtful lecture series. The 2025 season was full of excellent programming, stayed tune for what is up next in 2026. You can follow along on Facebook- check out previous posts for the past year concerts and speakers.

👉 Click here to learn more.

🚦Traffic Talk: Hwy 521 & SC DOT Resources

I’ve received many questions about traffic light syncing, potholes, and general upkeep along Hwy 521.

📍 Highway 521 is a state-maintained road, managed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SC DOT) — not Lancaster County.

While Lancaster County works closely with SC DOT to advocate for improvements, they make the final decisions about signal timing, maintenance, and repairs. As county officials and citizens, we need to better advocate for resources on state roads in Lancaster County.

With roughly 900 miles of Lancaster County roads maintained by the state (SC DOT), knowing who to contact is key. Use these direct tools to get action:

🛠️ Submit a Work Request: Report potholes, road debris, and safety concerns directly to SC DOT.

🔍 Check Road Ownership: Not sure if a road is state or county maintained? Verify it here.

🚦 Report Traffic Light Issues: SC DOT handles light timing and syncing (Note: We are in District 4).

🗺️ Track Active Projects: View progress and timelines for state-led road work.

🏛️ Find Your State Rep: Contact your state representative for further advocacy on state road matters.

🏛️ County Leadership Transition

Lancaster County is entering a leadership transition. County Administrator Dennis Marstall is departing for a new role as City Administrator of Wichita, Kansas—a return to his home state. We thank him for his four years of dedicated service. More info​

To ensure continuity, Steve Willis has been appointed Interim Administrator. Mr. Willis previously served from 2007–2021 and brings strong institutional knowledge during this interim phase.

County Council will engage a professional search firm to identify the next permanent County Administrator. We’re targeting July 1, 2025, for someone to be in place.

🧭 Civics Corner: Council-Administrator Government

Lancaster County operates under the Council-Administrator form of government, which separates policy-making from day-to-day operations:

• County Council: Sets policy and budget
• County Administrator: Runs operations and oversees departments

👉 Learn more about forms of government in SC and see more details about the role of county administrator.

🏗️ Commercial Development: What’s Happening in Indian Land?
​1️⃣ The Point – Hwy 521 & Charlotte Hwy (Across from MUSC)

A 44-acre commercial development by Collett is coming across from the new MUSC Hospital.

🛍️ What’s Planned:

• Approximately 240,000 square feet of total commercial space for uses such as medical office, retail, smaller office space, restaurants, storage and a daycare.
• 90-room hotel

✅ Already Zoned: This is a “by-right” development—no Council vote is needed, but the developer must meet design and infrastructure requirements in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

📖 Read more via Charlotte Stories​

2️⃣ Rezoning Proposal: C.F. Smith / Harris Tracts

📍 Location: Across from The Retreat at Rayfield, between Aldi and ParkStone

📌 Request: Rezone 71 acres from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Regional Business (RB)​
🏬 Intent: Large-scale commercial with retail and outparcels

⚠️ Zoning Change Required – Unlike The Point, this project needs Council approval before it can move forward.

• Community Meeting:
  🕕 Monday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 PM
  📍 Indian Land Rec Center (Pettus Room)
• Planning Commission Hearing:
  🕕 Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 6:00 PM
  📍 County Administration Building, Lancaster (101 N. Main St.)
  📍 Click here for the full details including the county staff recommendations.
  📍Can't make it to the meeting- comment electronically here.

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⚠️ Please note: The current moratorium in place applies only to residential subdivisions — commercial projects like this are not affected.

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✅ Please comment — in person or electronically.​
It's really easy — and complaining to others doesn't do much. Your voice matters in the public process.
🔗 Click here for the ways to voice your concerns or support. The link will provide contact info and ways to speak up effectively including ways to submit comments electronically.

If you missed earlier newsletter editions, click here to see all the previous months. Great way to share it with your friends and neighbors via email or social media.

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👥 If you're part of a group that would be interested in having me attend a meeting to discuss county matters, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m always happy to connect.

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If you have any questions or concerns about the county, feel free to reach out: 803-804-6017 or simply reply to this email.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support. I hope this season brings peace and joy to you and your family.

I’m grateful to serve the county I grew up in and love—and I’m always open to your questions, ideas, and concerns.

Best,​
​Stuart

PS- If you find value and want to share this newsletter with your neighbors. You can use this link!!

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