Council approves rezoning for new retail development and takes initial steps toward county detention center expansion
The council held a series of zoning votes, including a contentious approval for a General Business (B-2) rezoning on Ridgeway Road. Additionally, officials authorized preliminary planning and engineering studies to address overcrowding at the Kershaw County Detention Center.
8 votes8 passed1 split
The vote behind the headline
Rezoning for Retail Development on Ridgeway Road (3rd Reading):Council approved rezoning 6.30 acres on Ridgeway Road from Rural Resource to General Business for a Dollar General store.DevelopmentRoads
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson
What this was about
This ordinance rezones approximately 6.30 acres at 2689 Ridgeway Road from RD-2 (Rural Resource) to B-2 (General Business). The rezoning was requested by CDP Ridgeway, LLC to facilitate the construction of a new 'Dollar General Market' location. While the Planning Commission previously recommended denial (0-6) due to concerns regarding impacts on adjacent residential properties and potential spot zoning, Council moved forward with approval. Proponents emphasized that the store will provide fresh food and essential goods, reducing travel times for elderly residents on fixed incomes, while property owners argued it improves the site by preventing illegal dumping. Opponents raised concerns about noise, lighting, traffic, and the erosion of rural character. The project includes a buffer and fencing as part of the site plan. The measure passed its third reading 6-0 following debate regarding community benefits versus neighborhood impact.
Rezoning for Auto Repair Business on Tickle Hill Road (3rd Reading):Council approved rezoning a 2.58-acre parcel from residential to General Development to support an existing auto repair shop.DevelopmentRoads
Yes 5 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe● Jr. (recused)
This measure rezones approximately 2.58 acres located at 2365 Tickle Hill Road from R-15 (Low Density Residential) to GD (General Development). The property has hosted an auto repair business since 1993, and the owner sought this change to ensure the business becomes a conforming use, noting that the original residential zoning was misapplied when countywide zoning was adopted in 2000. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously (6-0). While this is a general rezoning, staff noted the parcel is surrounded by existing commercial and mixed-use districts. There was no public opposition, and the local homeowners association president expressed full support. The measure passed its third and final reading with a 5-0 vote, with Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. recusing himself due to a family connection to the subject. This zoning change allows the property to operate as a commercial site consistent with surrounding development.
Rezoning for Retail Development on Ridgeway Road (3rd Reading):Council approved rezoning 6.30 acres on Ridgeway Road from Rural Resource to General Business for a Dollar General store.DevelopmentRoads
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson
What this was about
This ordinance rezones approximately 6.30 acres at 2689 Ridgeway Road from RD-2 (Rural Resource) to B-2 (General Business). The rezoning was requested by CDP Ridgeway, LLC to facilitate the construction of a new 'Dollar General Market' location. While the Planning Commission previously recommended denial (0-6) due to concerns regarding impacts on adjacent residential properties and potential spot zoning, Council moved forward with approval. Proponents emphasized that the store will provide fresh food and essential goods, reducing travel times for elderly residents on fixed incomes, while property owners argued it improves the site by preventing illegal dumping. Opponents raised concerns about noise, lighting, traffic, and the erosion of rural character. The project includes a buffer and fencing as part of the site plan. The measure passed its third reading 6-0 following debate regarding community benefits versus neighborhood impact.
Rezoning for General Development on Kershaw Highway (3rd Reading):Council approved rezoning 46 acres near Carolina Motorsports Park to General Development for future site protection and development.Development
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson
This ordinance rezones six parcels totaling approximately 46 acres on the east side of Kershaw Highway from RD-2 (Rural Resource) to GD (General Development). The applicant, representing James F. Kelly IV, intends to combine the property with adjacent tracts to provide land for future expansion or protection of the nearby Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP). CMP representatives stated they have no immediate development plans but wish to ensure that surrounding land use remains compatible with their complex. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval (6-0). Staff noted that this rezoning is consistent with prior Council approvals for nearby tracts in 2019, 2021, and 2022, which also transitioned to GD zoning. No public opposition was voiced during the process. The measure passed its third reading 6-0, as Council expressed support for the ongoing success and growth of the Motorsports Park.
Zoning Amendment for Wildwood Lane (1st Reading):Council passed the first reading to rezone 60 acres on Wildwood Lane from Rural Resource to Low Density Residential.Development
Yes 5 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Jimmy Jones
What this was about
This ordinance initiates the rezoning of approximately 60 acres located at 922, 932, and 948 Wildwood Lane, along with 291 Watts Hill Road, from RD-2 (Rural Resource) to R-15 (Low Density Residential). The applicant, Mark E. Taylor, stated the request aims to reduce illegal activity and abandonment issues on the property by introducing a structured residential subdivision. The project excludes a one-acre utility parcel currently occupied by a cell tower. The Planning Commission action summary indicates that similar prior requests in this area were denied, but the owner has now submitted a modified plan that excludes a pond area to address past concerns. The property will be subject to deed restrictions to ensure quality development, with expected lot sizes ranging from three-quarters of an acre to two acres. The ordinance passed its first reading 5-1, with Vice Chairman Jimmy Jones casting the dissenting vote.
Zoning Amendment for Minimum Lot Sizes (1st Reading):Council approved the first reading of an ordinance setting a 15,000 square-foot minimum lot size for new residential development.Development
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson
This ordinance amends Section 3:1.3, Table 3-4 of the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR) to mandate a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet for residential development countywide. The change is intended to curb high-density 'cookie-cutter' developments and mitigate the strain on infrastructure, police, and fire services. Council members Derek Shoemake and Jimmy Jones led this initiative as part of a broader effort to revise the county's comprehensive plan and zoning code. Supporters argued that while it serves as a 'small step,' it is a necessary move to manage the county's rapid growth more effectively. The ordinance passed its first reading unanimously (6-0) and will be subject to a public hearing on August 8 before moving to subsequent readings.
Zoning Amendment regarding Conservation Design (1st Reading):Council passed the first reading to repeal outdated 'Conservation Design' provisions from the zoning code.DevelopmentEnvironment
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson
This ordinance amends Articles 3 and 5 of the ZLDR to remove 'Conservation Design' as a defined term and repeal all related regulations, including Table 3-5, Table 3-6, and various provisions concerning open space in conservation subdivisions. Planning staff identified these regulations as obsolete, noting they have not been utilized for development projects in the county. The cleanup effort is part of the ongoing initiative to modernize the ZLDR and remove redundant or ineffective language. Council members supported the move to streamline the code, noting that the 'conservation design' framework currently adds unnecessary verbiage without providing functional benefits to local planning efforts. The ordinance passed its first reading 6-0.
Zoning Amendment regarding Triplex and Quadruplex Housing (1st Reading):Council approved the first reading of a technical correction to the ZLDR regarding multi-family housing site-built categories.DevelopmentHousing
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson
This measure amends Section 3:1.3, Table 3-3 of the ZLDR to address clerical errors regarding triplex and quadruplex housing categories. Specifically, these categories were inadvertently listed twice in the zoning table; the amendment removes the redundant entries to clarify the regulations for site-built multi-family developments. This is part of a broader 'cleanup' initiative led by Council to fix typos and inconsistencies within the county's current land development regulations. No changes were made to the density or permit requirements for these housing types; the action serves solely to rectify formatting issues in the official code. The measure passed its first reading unanimously (6-0).
Zoning Amendment regarding Manufactured Home Density (1st Reading):Council passed the first reading to lower manufactured home density from six to three units per acre.Development
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson
This ordinance amends ZLDR Section 3.3.8(J) to reduce the allowed density for manufactured home parks from six units per acre to three units per acre. Additionally, it changes the status of manufactured housing parks in R-6 and General Development (GD) districts from 'permitted use' to 'conditional use,' granting the county more oversight over new park proposals. Councilman Shoemake emphasized that this provides a better balance for residential growth while still allowing for manufactured housing. Existing parks are grandfathered under the previous rules, and families needing to replace a home on their property retain the ability to do so within a 365-day window. The measure passed its first reading 6-0, and will move to a public hearing on August 8.
Detention Center Planning: Council authorized the administrator to spend up to $10,000 from existing capital project reserves to obtain architectural and engineering plans for a potential jail expansion.
Patriots Landing Boat Ramp: Council directed the administrator to engage the public and engineers to develop a plan for the boat ramp, with a budget not to exceed $600,000, and return to council by October 10.
Animal and Litter Control: Councilman Shoemake announced a fact-finding stage to review current ordinances regarding animal overpopulation and litter control.
SCIP Grant Application: Administrator Templar provided an update on a revised $10 million grant application for wastewater treatment, scaled to support 1 million gallons of capacity per day.
Public comment▸showhide
Residents provided diverse feedback regarding the proposed Dollar General development on Ridgeway Road, with some neighbors citing concerns about noise and traffic, while others emphasized the need for local retail access and tax revenue.
Additional speakers addressed general government transparency, local zoning ordinances, the county sports complex, and the desire for a local Veterans clinic.
Coming up▸showhide
Public Hearing: A public hearing for the four zoning ordinance amendments (Minimum Lot Sizes, Conservation Design, Triplex/Quadruplex Housing, and Manufactured Homes) is scheduled for the next meeting on August 8.
Finance Committee: A staff meeting is scheduled for August 11 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss quarterly budget updates and the Sheriff's budget request.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the county's official minutes (the verified vote record) combined with the meeting's live stream (quotes and discussion). This is an automated summary written by software (a neural-network summarizer working from the documents above). Rely on the official county record for anything important.
