Lancaster County Newsletter

September 2025

Focus: Growth + Roads

This month’s update focuses on two big topics that directly affect your daily life: development and roads. As with most topics, there is a lot of noise on Facebook and social media. The intent with this newsletter is to allow you to connect right to the county source for materials.

💭 Reflections from Month 9 on County Council

As I round out my 9th month serving on Lancaster County Council, here are a few quick reflections:

• 🚧 I’m increasingly concerned about repeating the same development mistakes made in Indian Land — now in the area south of Hwy 5 and north of the City of Lancaster. This area is looking for growth, but we must get it right. Balance and planning are key.
• 🗓️ The next 6 months will be incredibly important for Lancaster County:
  • The transportation sales tax will be on the November ballot
  • Council will receive the full Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) draft in early October and will begin reviewing it
  • Several major development proposals will come before Council — especially those shaping the corridor between Hwy 5 and the City of Lancaster
• 🛑 I’ve submitted a request to place a moratorium discussion on the next council agenda — specifically on major residential subdivisions north of the City of Lancaster. We need time to finish the UDO, address emergency services, and plan responsibly.

📍 Join us in person!​
Come to the Indian Land Action Council meeting to talk directly with your local representatives — Brian Carnes, Jose Luis, and I — about what’s going on in the county.

🕖 Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7:00 PM​
📍 Del Webb Library

🚧 What’s the Transportation Sales Tax?

Voters will decide on a 1% sales tax (from 8% to 9%) for up to 10 years to raise $253 million for roads and transportation projects across Lancaster County.

Of the $253M, $98 million will be for projects around Highway 521, Henry Harris, Harrisburg, and Barberville Roads, which have been major congestion points for years. The entire county will benefit with projects throughout the county. For a full list of all the projects as well as educational material going into more depth - click here. Next month's newsletter will go farther into the details.

✅ Pros (Why Support It?)

• Shared Burden: An estimated 30–35% of sales tax will be paid by non-residents (commuters, shoppers, visitors).
• Local Control & Transparency: Every project is listed on the ballot so voters know exactly where the money goes.
• Dedicated Funding Source: Lancaster currently has no reliable, long-term road funding stream. This provides 10 years of stability.
• No Property Tax Increase: Roads are not funded by property taxes in Lancaster. This avoids shifting the burden onto homeowners.
• Leverage for More Funds: Local “skin in the game” helps attract additional state and federal dollars, stretching funds further.
• Shorter, Smaller, Clearer: After voters rejected a larger 15-year, $405M proposal in 2024, this plan was reduced to 10 years, $253M, with all projects listed.

❌ Cons (Concerns Raised)

• Higher Sales Tax: Would raise Lancaster’s total sales tax to 9%, one of the higher rates in South Carolina.
• Distrust in Government Spending: Some worry about accountability or that funds won’t reach the promised projects.
• Already Paying Enough: Citizens already pay through state gas taxes, vehicle fees, and existing local sales taxes.
• State Responsibility: Many argue the state (SCDOT) should fund state-owned roads, not counties.

💵 Impact on the Taxpayer

• Current sales tax in Lancaster is 8% (6% state + 1% local option + 1% capital projects).
• If approved, the sales tax rises to 9%.
• What is a Local Option Sales Tax?: Property and vehicle owners receive a credit on their property tax bills from the 1% Local Option Sales Tax.
  • This means part of what residents pay in sales tax comes back as a property tax reduction each year on your vehicle and real estate property tax bills.
  • For many households, this offsets some of the burden from higher sales tax.

🗳️ Bottom Line

The transportation sales tax gives Lancaster County its first true dedicated road funding plan, with costs shared by residents and non-residents alike. While it means a higher sales tax rate, the proposal is smaller, time-limited, and more transparent than last year’s referendum.

🏡 How a Homeowner Benefits from the Local Option Sales Tax

Example: Homeowner in Lancaster County

• Here is an example: Home taxable value: $200,000 (LOST credit is determined based on your taxable property value)
• Local Option Sales Tax Credit applied: ~$175 (click here to look up your property tax bill. Look for LOST credit on right hand side of bill)

✨ What This Means

• Each time this homeowner shops in Lancaster County and pays the 1% Local Option Sales Tax, part of that money is returned to them as a credit on their property tax bill.
• In the example above, the homeowner would received $175 credit(LOST) which is the equivalent of spending $17,500 in purchases in Lancaster County. Many will find that they spend less than the credit they are actually receiving.
• Instead of carrying the full cost through property taxes, they benefit from a broader sales tax base where visitors, commuters, and renters contribute too.
• About 30–35% of the total revenue comes from non-residents. Only way to capture funds from people who are using infrastructure in Lancaster County especially the panhandle.
• Homeowners don’t carry the full burden alone.

📊 Bottom Line

This homeowner not only pays less in property taxes thanks to LOST but also enjoys better-funded services that are paid for by both residents and non-residents. The same principle applies to the transportation sales tax proposal — making it a, shared way to invest in Lancaster County’s future roads.

📑 Development Items for Lancaster County

Planning Commission – September 16, 2025​
​The highlights are below. Click for agenda for full details on the meeting.

🏛 Policy / Rezoning Items

(Require Planning Commission recommendation → Council action)

Flat Creek Road (near Whitehall Phase 1)

• Applicant: Pinnacle Homes USA LLC
• Request: Rezone 60.02 acres from RN to MDR to match the adjacent Whitehall Phase 1 subdivision
• Purpose: Continue residential development consistent with existing nearby neighborhoods
• Location: Flat Creek Road, Lancaster SC
• Zoning Context: Adjacent areas are single-family residential and agriculture
• ​Click here for full details.

Meritage Homes (Hwy 521 - across street from Roselyn)

• Request: Rezone 355.68 acres (with 14.6 acres reserved for a school) from RN to MDR (Medium Density Residential)
• Planned Use:Detached single-family subdivision
• Connection: This development is adjacent to the MPV commercial site (Item below)
• Impact: Could bring significant new residential growth in an area already under development pressure
• ​Click here for full details.

MPV Properties (Hwy 521- across street from Roselyn)

• Request: Rezone 48.34 acres from Rural Neighborhood (RN) to General Business (GB)
• Purpose: Create a commercial development in coordination with the adjacent Meritage residential project
• Location: HWY 521, near Lewis McAteer Rd
• Impact: Intended to provide commercial services alongside significant new residential growth (see Item
• ​Click here for full details.

📌 Note: As expected, seeing significant development interest/pressure on Riverside Rd, Old Hickory Rd and 521 from City of Lancaster to Hwy 5.

​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

P.S.
​Here are the two last County Council Meeting Recaps
​August 25th, 2025​
​September 8th, 2025​

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