Lancaster County Newsletter
📬 November 2025
Election Results • Road Projects • Development Update
Missed a county council meeting? - See below for recap:
November 10th-2025 Significant citizen comments + Road update
🚧 Transportation Tax Election Results
Lancaster County voters decisively rejected the transportation sales tax proposal:
📊 32% Yes | 68% No
📍 You can view detailed results for all Lancaster County races — including precinct-level data — at this link:
👉 SC Election Results – Lancaster County
🛣️ Where Do We Go From Here on Roads?
Despite the vote, the need for road improvements remains. Here’s what’s next:
🏛️ 1. Push for More State Support
Many of our roads are state-owned.
We must:
- Continue to speak to our state representatives. Want to know who represents you and reach out to them? Click here. Shows contact info and a way to directly message your specific representative.
- Advocate for stronger collaboration with SC DOT. As an example -Encourage SC DOT to monitor and adjust light timing for more efficient traffic flow on HWY 521.
🧭 2. Strengthen Local Planning Expertise
Lancaster County must:
- Build deeper in-house road planning capacity
- Continue improving coordination between county staff and SC-DOT
📜 3. Strengthen UDO Road Requirements
As we update the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), we need:
- Stronger road improvement requirements for new developments
- Better traffic impact analysis standards to avoid past mistakes — especially on Hwy 521
Note: These changes won’t fund major projects like widening 521, but they can improve turn lanes, access points, and overall flow.
💵 4. Begin the Road Impact Fee Process
Lancaster County has started the required impact fee study, the first legal step under SC law before considering road impact fees for new residential growth. There are significant state law hurdles and regulation related to road impact fees but we need to thoroughly explore this option.
🤝 5. Explore Cost-Sharing Opportunities
Sometimes, a developer's required improvements (based on the traffic impact analysis study) fall short of what’s truly needed. The county (due to state law) has limited options to force road improvements not included in the traffic impact analysis.
The county may explore cost-sharing on strategic projects that benefit both the community and the development — when it makes sense.
📄 6. Refine Development Agreements
Council is reviewing and reshaping development agreements to ensure:
- Better financial contributions from developers
- Accountability on timing and road improvements
💬 Personal note: I'm conflicted on the use of these agreements. Often, the developer is negotiating for higher density. My preference: standardized, data-based impact fees — fair, consistent, and easier to enforce. I do recognize that development agreements can help hold developers accountable to time frames and other considerations like roads.
🗳️ Final Thoughts on the election
As the saying goes, “elections have consequences.” I’m thankful to every citizen who spoke up and voted. I am thankful this was a single-issue election, it brought forward important conversations.
🛠️ Council has definitely heard — especially about past growth decisions in Indian Land and trust gaps in other areas of the county.
In the coming months, I’ll use this newsletter to highlight specific actions Council is taking in response.
💬 Have questions or need clarification on any of this?
My inbox is open. Simply respond to this email with your question/comment. I'm working hard for this county—and I'm always happy to talk.
🚧 Roads Report Update – Lancaster County Projects
(SCDOT projects in Lancaster County will be covered in hopefully in next month's newsletter)
At the October Council meeting, staff shared a 5-year progress report on road improvements funded by:
- Capital Sales Tax #2 and #3
- CTC funds (state gas tax dollars)
- Pavement preservation programs
🖥️ Click here to view the full PowerPoint presentation
🎥 Click here to watch the meeting presentation (starts at minute 41)
🚦 Interested in Hwy 521?
Jump to 1:05:30 for details on the $10M allocation and traffic light syncing discussion — about 10 minutes long.
✅ County-Managed Highlights:
- 113+ miles improved since 2020 — a mix of paving, resurfacing, and preservation
- Capital Sales Tax II completed projects on roads like Shiloh Unity, Ernest Scott, Normandy
- Capital Sales Tax III currently underway with roads like Norfolk, Heather Ln, Georgetown
- Pavement Preservation Program treated 15+ miles to extend road life at lower cost
- CTC resurfacing covered 18+ miles through 2026
⚠️ Because some county dollars (like CTC “proviso” funds) were required to be spent on state roads, a portion of county spending still went toward SCDOT-maintained roads.
🔜 What’s Next:
- Cleveland St & Rise Ln wrapping up soon
- Unpaved road improvements like Smith Rd & Andrew Vincent Rd
- Congestion study on Regent Parkway remains in progress
📑 Development Items for Lancaster County
Planning Commission – November 18th at 6pm
The highlights are below. Click for agenda for full details on the meeting.
🏛 Policy / Rezoning Items
At the November 18 meeting, the Planning Commission will hear the rezoning and development proposals below:
- Meritage Homes
A proposal to rezone 355 acres between Charlotte Highway and Activity Drive from Rural Residential to Medium Density Residential, alongside a Development Agreement for a new single-family home community. (Items 6a & 6b)
- MPV / 521Lancaster LLC
A request to rezone 48+ acres near Charlotte Highway and Lewis McAteer Road from Rural Residential to General Business, to allow for future commercial development. (Item 6c)
Click here to see the full packet related to these items.
📝 These recommendations will move forward to County Council for consideration in the coming weeks.
Click here for the ways to speak to council on your concerns. It is extremely important to voice your concerns. Council does listen. The link will provide contact info and ways to speak up effectively.
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.
👥 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.
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.
💬 I’m working hard for the county I grew up in and love. Your ideas, concerns, and encouragement are always welcome.
Thank you for staying engaged in our community!
Best,
Stuart
PS- If you find value and want to share this newsletter with your neighbors. You can use this link!!