October 13th, 2025 6:00 PM
Use the recap below to go to the minute in the You Tube video of what you would like to see.
Check out the agenda packet for more background documents/info.

🏛 Lancaster County Council Regular Meeting Recap

Date: Monday, October 13, 2025 | Time: 6:00 PM
​Location: County Council Chambers, Lancaster County Administration Building

The Lancaster County Council held its regular meeting on October 13, 2025. Key actions included immediately imposing a 9-month moratorium on most new residential development and unanimously voting to join litigation against Ultra Processed Food manufacturers.

Key Actions and Decisions

Joint Meeting with Board of Elections (Start Time: 1:30)

The meeting commenced with a joint session with the Board of Voters Registration and Elections, chaired by Ronnie Wall. The purpose was a public hearing on two referendum questions for the November 4, 2025, election:

• A 1% special sales and use tax for transportation projects (up to $253 million or 10 years)
• Authorization of $100 million in GO bonds
  No comments were offered during the public hearing.

Approval of Agenda (Start Time: 4:11)

Council approved the agenda, first voting unanimously to amend the order to move the Moratorium Ordinance (9g) to the top of the Non-Consent Agenda as Item 9(a).

Citizens Comments (Start Time: 5:16)

37 electronic comments and several in-person speakers addressed Council, centering on the following themes:

• Support for the Moratorium: There was overwhelming support for the proposed 9-month moratorium on new residential development applications.
• Infrastructure Crisis: Citizens noted that First Responder services (EMS, Fire, Sheriff) are struggling to meet current demand, requiring units from outside districts, causing a "domino effect" across the County. Traffic congestion, particularly on US 521 and Van Wyck, was cited as a major concern, potentially impeding emergency response.
• Impact Fees: Strong calls were made to immediately update and implement mandatory impact fees (especially for roads and schools) and eliminate waivers for developers, arguing that taxpayers should not fund 100% of infrastructure costs.
• Barberville Road Development Concerns: Specific concerns were raised regarding the development near Highway 160 and Barberville Road, citing alleged UDO violations (setbacks, buffers), the threat of a dying tree falling onto homes, and the developer circumventing the major subdivision process by classifying a road as a "private driveway" (Melanie Lane).

Non-Consent Agenda Details (Amended Order)

9(a) – Moratorium Ordinance (Ordinance 2025-1992)​
⏱ Start Time: 32:15
✔️ Passed 7-0​
Council approved the 1st Reading of the ordinance to impose a 9-month moratorium on new residential subdivisions (resulting in more than 3 lots) and new multi-family residential developments in the identified Panhandle/Southern area. Council Member Jose Luis successfully motioned to amend the ordinance to remove Section 8 (pending matters), ensuring the moratorium applies to any development that has not yet secured state-recognized vested rights. The action invoked the Pending Ordinance Doctrine, making the moratorium effective immediately.

9(b) – Collins Road Site PDD-26 Amendment (Ordinance 2025-1982)​
⏱ Start Time: 50:35
✔️ Passed 7-0 (2nd Reading, Amended)​
Approved major modification to PDD-26 (UHF Development Group, LLC). This included realigning density, adopting staff's recommended parking ratio of one space per 400 square feet of gross leasable area for flex product, and adding Exhibit D (List of Permissible Uses). Council also amended the ordinance to extend the development agreement expiration date until December 31, 2027.

9(c) – Shiloh Woods DA Extension (Ordinance 2025-1987)​
⏱ Start Time: 53:23
✔️ Passed 4-2 (2nd Reading)​
Approves the developer's request (Century Communities) for a 3rd extension of the Development Agreement effective date to June 30, 2026, citing continued delays in securing approvals from SCDOT, LCWSD, and SCDES.

9(d) – Arbor Meadows DA (Ordinance 2025-1988)​
⏱ Start Time: 54:33
⏸ Postponed (Unanimous)​
Council voted unanimously to postpone the 1st Reading and refer the Development Agreement for the 92-lot subdivision to the Development Agreement ad hoc committee for further review.

9(e) – Coulston FLUM Amendment (Ordinance 2025-1990)​
⏱ Start Time: 1:04:19
✔️ Passed 4-3 (1st Reading)​
Amends the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designation for 60.02 acres at Bailey Road and Flat Creek Road from Rural to Neighborhood to support the companion rezoning request.

9(f) – Coulston Rezoning (Ordinance 2025-1989)​
⏱ Start Time: 1:08:44
✔️ Passed 4-3 (1st Reading)​
Rezones the 60.02 acres from Rural Neighborhood (RN) to Medium Density Residential (MDR) to allow for Phase II of the Whitehall residential project.

9(g) – Kershaw Comp Plan Addendum (Ordinance 2025-1991)​
⏱ Start Time: 1:09:50
✔️ Passed 7-0 (1st Reading)​
Approves the request from the Town of Kershaw to add a tailored Land Use Element and Future Land Use Map as an addendum to the County’s Comprehensive Plan 2040. This only affects land within Kershaw’s municipal limits and included a proposed edit to incorporate the Carolina Thread Trail language.

9(h) – Budget Amendment (Ordinance 2025-1993)​
⏱ Start Time: 1:11:15
✔️ Passed 7-0 (1st Reading)​
Approved three budget amendments:

• $100,000 for the Indian Land Fire Station 2 roof replacement
• $600,000 for the Solicitor’s Office expansion using General Fund reserves
• Repurposing funds for 11 critical cardiac monitors needed by Lancaster EMS
  Council agreed to explore alternative funding (using General Fund balance) for the monitors at the 2nd Reading to avoid disrupting the planned ambulance replacement rotation.

9(i) – Animal Control/Code Enforcement (Ordinance 2025-1994)​
⏱ Start Time: 1:27:08
✔️ Passed 7-0 (1st Reading)​
Amends the code to reflect the transfer of Animal Control Officers from the Sheriff’s Office to the Animal Shelter Director and establishes a formal commissioning process for County Code Enforcement Officers to enforce county ordinances.

10(a) – Ultra Processed Food Litigation Approval​
⏱ Start Time: 1:29:08
✔️ Approved 7-0​
Authorizes County Administration and County Attorney Ginny L. Merck-Dupont to execute the necessary agreement to join the national litigation seeking recovery from manufacturers of Ultra Processed Foods (like PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, etc.) to address health and wellness impacts.

10(b) – Boards and Commissions Appointments​
⏱ Start Time: 1:30:10
✔️ Approved​
Appointments included:

• Richard Van Hall (Historical Commission, District 4)
• Solomon Goldiamond (Library Board, District 7)
• Anna Henson, Bridget Harris, and Robin Dawson (Health and Wellness Commission)

Other Highlights

• Women's Enrichment Center: Executive Director Julie Walters presented a new partnership with Amazon for receiving non-perishable returns/donations (including pet food, hygiene, supplies). Ms. Walters requested the temporary use of the old Carolina pharmacy location at the Barnett Complex for sorting and distribution.
• Executive Session: Council met privately to discuss legal advice regarding a potential contractual matter (P-Card Audit) and personnel matters related to the County Administrator's evaluation. No motions or votes were taken during or immediately following the Executive Session.