September 22, 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

Lancaster County Council Meeting Recap – September 22, 2025

The Lancaster County Council met on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Below is a complete recap of the meeting with timestamps from the official recording.

Opening (0:00)

Chairman Brian Carnes called the meeting to order. Councilman Stuart Graham led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was approved.

Citizens Comments (4:20)

• Mike Barnes – Thanked Council and staff for their service but raised concerns about transparency and accountability. He noted rising property taxes, inconsistent information, and neighborhood issues like tree clearing, and urged Council to put residents first.
• John Hardy (Lennar Homes) – Introduced himself and his team regarding the Haven at North Corner project. He spoke about the development and offered to answer Council questions.
• Barbara Scannell – Voiced concerns about recent Planning Commission approvals of projects with minimal or no road improvement requirements. She urged Council to fund an independent traffic study and adopt UDO changes requiring all new developments to consistently contribute to road and drainage improvements.
• Resident near Barberville Road & Fort Mill Hwy – Objected to a development moving forward after Planning Commission rejection. She said the developer was “piecemealing” the project to avoid UDO rules, creating issues with setbacks and buffers, and warned of existing construction problems like debris, traffic hazards, and fog impacts.
• Two other electronic comments were received regarding a development treated as a minor subdivision. Similar concerns as the resident that spoke in person.

Special Presentations

• Employee of the Quarter (12:10)
  • Public Safety: Caleb Cauthen, Firefighter, Lancaster County Fire Rescue.
  • General Government: Kelly Nunnery, Executive Administrative Assistant, Sheriff’s Office.
    Both were honored for outstanding service, receiving certificates, stipends, and recognition.
• Accommodations Tax Committee Recommendations (17:45)​
  Council approved $170,631 in state hospitality tax allocations:
• Lancaster County Society for Historical Preservation – $12,400
• Carolinas Chili Championship – $33,200
• Lindsay Pettus Greenway – $20,000
• Lancaster County Historical Commission (Markers) – $3,015
• Lancaster County Historical Commission (Advertisements) – $2,815
• Rooted Unity (Indian Land July 4th Fireworks) – $30,000
• Hope on the Hill – $30,000
• Indian Land Community Festival – $20,205
• Roll-over to next year – $18,996

Consent Agenda (28:05)

Council unanimously approved:

1. Approval of Minutes (Sept. 8, 2025).
2. Ordinance 2025-1959 – Adjusted Health & Wellness Commission membership.
3. Ordinance 2025-1960 – Reorganized the Community Relations Commission (renamed Community Outreach & Engagement Advisory Committee).
4. Ordinance 2025-1985 – Amended UDO to define “Large-Scale Grocery Store” and “Regional Hospital Facility” and allow additional signage.
5. Ordinance 2025-1986 – Rezoned 0.5 acres on Fox Lane from Low to Medium Density Residential.

Non-Consent Agenda

• Resolution 1310-R2025 (39:40) – Approved Accommodations Tax allocations.
• Resolution 1311-R2025 (44:10) – Approved Lancaster County’s participation in national opioid settlement agreements with Purdue/Sackler.
• Ordinance 2025-1983 Budget Amendment (48:00)
  • Discussion: Debate centered on Rise Lane resurfacing, where April’s estimate of $580,000 (including water line relocation) had shifted significantly upwards in price.
  • Motion Passed: Council voted to cap county funding for Rise Lane at $350,000. Staff must now keep the project within that ceiling.
• Ordinance 2025-1984 Redwood Development Agreement (53:15) – Amendments passed narrowly, 4–3. Councilmembers Graham, Luis, and Mosteller opposed.
• Ordinance 2025-1987 Century Communities Agreement (1:05:20) – First reading approved to extend a development agreement deadline to June 2026.

Discussion & Action Items

• The Haven at North Corner Development Agreement (1:12:40)​
  An ad hoc subcommittee was created to review Lennar’s proposed development (604 acres, approx. 900 homes). Members: Chairman Carnes, Councilman Moeller (chair), and Councilman Graham.
• Board and Commission Appointments (1:22:00)
  • Joshua Pandle – Appointed to Board of Zoning Appeals (term through 2027).
  • Christy Barnes – Appointed to Airport Advisory Board, District 5 representative (term through 2029).

Status of Deferred Items (1:28:10)

Three rezonings/development agreement amendments remain tabled: Old Hickory Road land use change, Old Hickory rezoning, and Collins Road development agreement.

Executive Session (1:31:20)

Council entered executive session for legal advice on development requirements, a contractual matter (P-Card audit), and Administrator evaluation.

After reconvening (~2:27:00), Council voted to form a Personnel Ad Hoc Committee (Carnes, Neal, Harper) to address the Administrator’s evaluation.