Lancaster County Newsletter
July 2025
A relatively quiet mid year pause in July as we head into the second half of the year. Significant development activity focusing on 521 between City of Lancaster and Hwy 5 is expected so stay tuned.
If you missed earlier editions, click here to see all the previous months. Great way to share it with your friends and neighbors via email or social media.
π₯ If you're part of a group that would be interested in having me attend a meeting to discuss county matters, donβt hesitate to reach outβIβm always happy to connect.
If you have any questions or concerns about the county, feel free to reach out: 803-804-6017 or simply reply to this email. You can also follow me on Facebook for more updates.
π Important Updates
π£οΈ Transportation Tax Heads to November Ballot
Lancaster County Council has officially approved placing a 1% transportation sales tax referendum on the November 4th, 2025 ballot. At the July 21st meeting, Council passed the third and final reading of Ordinance 2025-1966.
If approved by voters, the 10-year tax will fund targeted road, intersection, and transportation improvements throughout Lancaster County. The new proposal reduces both the tax duration and project list compared to the previous 2024 ballot measure. Click here to see the presentation to council on July 21st. After council discussion, a few roads and intersections were added/switched out.
Next month's newsletter will feature the roads and intersections included.
π Next Steps:β
Voters will have the final say this November. If passed, revenues will be used only for the listed projects and monitored through regular reporting.
π A full map and breakdown of projects by district will be shared in a future newsletter and at upcoming public info sessions.
π What Is the UDO and Why Does It Matter?
UDO stands for βUnified Development Ordinance.ββ
Itβs the rulebook that governs how land can be used and developed in Lancaster County β everything from:
- What types of buildings can go where ποΈπ’
- How tall structures can be ποΈ
- Where homes, businesses, schools, and parks can be placed
- How land is subdivided and infrastructure (like roads and sidewalks) is built π§
- Rules for signage, landscaping, stormwater, and more π³π§
π οΈ Why is the UDO important?
- It shapes how our communities grow β from neighborhoods to business corridors to rural spaces.
- It provides predictability for residents, developers, and businesses.
- It ensures public safety and quality of life by managing traffic, drainage, building heights, buffers, etc.
- It helps preserve character in different parts of the county β whether rural, suburban, or urban.
Lancaster Countyβs UDO is currently being updated for the first time in over a decade, to reflect our rapid growth, modern planning standards, and the unique needs of each area β from Van Wyck to Indian Land to Kershaw.
π UDO Update: July 2025 Progress Report
At the June 9th Committee of the Whole, Council received a detailed update on the ongoing rewrite of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) from the White & Smith consulting team and Lancaster County planning staff.
Council expressed concern with the piecemeal delivery of draft chapters. Since each section impacts the others, reviewing them separately has made it difficult to fully evaluate the cumulative effects of proposed changes.
π§ Whatβs Next?β
Staff and consultants are working to finalize all remaining modules, with a complete draft expected in August. Council will then begin reviewing the full document as a whole.
ποΈ Projected Timeline:
- August 2025: Full UDO draft delivered to Council
- Fall 2025: Council review and discussion
- October (Aspirational): Target for potential vote
- Realistically: Final adoption may shift to early 2026 to allow for proper public input and refinement
π£οΈ My Perspective:β
βItβs difficult to evaluate new development requests under outdated rules, knowing a revised ordinance is around the corner. This rewrite is important to ensure growth aligns with infrastructure, safety, and community character.β
Stay tuned for opportunities to review the draft UDO and share your feedback as this important process moves forward.
π£οΈ 521 Widening Grant Applicationβ
Lancaster County has applied for a $43 million grant from the South Carolina Infrastructure Bank to support the widening of Highway 521 from the North Carolina state line to roughly Marvin Road.
π
A decision is expected in August.
π Note: North Carolina has already committed to widening their portion of Hwy 521βthis project would be very important to match that effort on the South Carolina side.
β
π
Next Planning Commission Meeting- August 19th at 6 pm. β
Agenda will be provided 7 days prior to meeting. Several developments could be in the August 19th meeting. The August newsletter will come out before that meeting and highlight the proposed developments.
Requests/Developments in processβ
β
π Request from Lowes Foods for Large sign
- Proposed Text Amendment- Increase Sign size for Large Scale retailer/hospital
- βProject details
- Postponed for decision to get more info on impact to other stores in county and questions over lighting.
π Shadow Moss- Off Hilldale Rd (Lancaster)
- Project Size: 52 acres from RN on MDR (98 houses)
- βProject details
- Postponed for due to not meeting requirements in The Review Committee (TRC) Click here.
π Old Hickory- Old Hickory Rd (across from back entrance of Roselyn)
- Project Size: 159 acres from RN on MDR (roughly 300 houses)
- βProject details
- Postponed for decision until July upon request from developer
πRiverside Manor
- Project Size: 251 acres with proposed 133 homes. No rezoning required. Plats must be approved by Planning Commission. Owner can develop with this density under the current zoning. No approval from County Council is needed by owner to proceed.
- βProject details
π Note: As expected, seeing significant development interest/pressure on Riverside Rd, Old Hickory Rd and 521 from City of Lancaster to Hwy 5. Stayed tuned.
How to Share Your Input
Thanks to quite a few people over the last 6 months that have either contacted me directly about issues that were important to them. Several have spoken at a public meeting or submitted citizen comments. It is really important and I appreciate it.
Want to voice your opinion on county issues? Hereβs how:
1οΈβ£ Speak at a County Meeting
- Arrive early and sign up to speak at the door.
- Youβll have 3 minutes to address a topic on the agenda.
- Note: Council members can listen but cannot engage in discussion during public comments.
2οΈβ£ Submit a Public Comment Electronically
3οΈβ£ Email County Council Members Directly
π© Contact Council Members:β
π District 1 β Stuart Graham:smgraham@lancastercountysc.gov
π District 2 β Charlene McGriff:cmcgriff@comporium.net
π District 3 β Billy Mosteller:bmosteller@lancastercountysc.gov
π District 4 β Jose Luis:jluis@lancastercountysc.gov
π District 5 β Steve Harper:steveharper@lancastercountysc.gov
π District 6 β Bryant Neal:bneal@lancastercountysc.gov
π District 7 β Bryan Carnes:briancarnes@lancastercountysc.gov
π Tips for Effective Public Commenting:β
βοΈ Be respectful and concise. Avoid personal attacks.
βοΈ State your position clearly (support/oppose) and provide facts.
βοΈ Keep it under 3 minutes. You donβt need to be a great speakerβjust be direct.
Stay Informed on County Meetings
π¬ Want meeting updates in your inbox? Sign up here to receive agendas and documents before each meeting.
πΊ Missed a meeting? Watch past sessions here.
β
Looking for a cool nature spot in Lancaster County- Check out 40 Acre Rock.
Thank you for staying engaged in our community!
Best,β
βStuart