The headline
Council approved $210,300 in emergency funding to address urgent storm water and flooding concerns, including specific infrastructure improvements for the Pecan Orchard subdivision. This decision authorizes both a broad storm water management study for the county and an immediate hydrology study for the Pecan Orchard area to identify solutions for local flooding.
Storm Water Management and Pecan Orchard Funding (Emergency Funding):
Council approved $210,300 in emergency funding for a county-wide storm water study and Pecan Orchard hydrology improvements.
DevelopmentWater & sewer
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.What this was about
This measure allocates $72,000 for a comprehensive county-wide storm water management study and $138,300 for hydrology and construction planning in the Pecan Orchard subdivision. These funds are designated as emergency expenditures to address chronic flooding and infrastructure degradation that has plagued the area. The hydrology study is a critical first step to prevent further damage and ensure any future construction is properly engineered. This funding follows recent Finance Committee meetings where Council prioritized creating a long-term, holistic strategy for county storm water maintenance, including the potential creation of a dedicated management committee. While this immediate action does not provide instant repairs, it establishes the necessary technical roadmap to resolve drainage issues and evaluate the structural integrity of the subdivision's drainage system. The county aims to have the work proceed rapidly to provide residents with a path toward lasting mitigation. Further studies will continue to guide future infrastructure investments.
PASSED (Unanimous). The vote authorizes $72,000 for a county-wide storm water study and $138,300 for hydrology and construction planning in Pecan Orchard
Who said what
» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: explained the necessity of an engineering-led approach to avoid making drainage problems worse ▶︎» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: emphasized that the Pecan Orchard community has waited long enough for a plan ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: questioned the long timeline for a study when residents need immediate relief ▶︎Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Storm Water Management and Pecan Orchard Funding (Emergency Funding):
Council approved $210,300 in emergency funding for a county-wide storm water study and Pecan Orchard hydrology improvements.
DevelopmentWater & sewer
Unanimous · 7-0
▸
detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.What this was about
This measure allocates $72,000 for a comprehensive county-wide storm water management study and $138,300 for hydrology and construction planning in the Pecan Orchard subdivision. These funds are designated as emergency expenditures to address chronic flooding and infrastructure degradation that has plagued the area. The hydrology study is a critical first step to prevent further damage and ensure any future construction is properly engineered. This funding follows recent Finance Committee meetings where Council prioritized creating a long-term, holistic strategy for county storm water maintenance, including the potential creation of a dedicated management committee. While this immediate action does not provide instant repairs, it establishes the necessary technical roadmap to resolve drainage issues and evaluate the structural integrity of the subdivision's drainage system. The county aims to have the work proceed rapidly to provide residents with a path toward lasting mitigation. Further studies will continue to guide future infrastructure investments.
PASSED (Unanimous). The vote authorizes $72,000 for a county-wide storm water study and $138,300 for hydrology and construction planning in Pecan Orchard
Who said what
» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: explained the necessity of an engineering-led approach to avoid making drainage problems worse ▶︎» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: emphasized that the Pecan Orchard community has waited long enough for a plan ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: questioned the long timeline for a study when residents need immediate relief ▶︎
Zoning Amendment for Large-Scale Commercial Solar Farms (1st Reading):
This ordinance requires solar farm developers to hold public community meetings and notify residents within one mile.
Development
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.What this was about
This text amendment updates the county’s Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations regarding Large-Scale Commercial Standalone Solar Energy Farms. The ordinance mandates that any applicant must conduct a formal community meeting to explain their site plan and receive public feedback before submitting a conditional use application. The Planning Commission recommended a strict requirement that written notice be mailed via first-class mail to all property owners within a one-mile radius of the proposed project boundary at least 21 days before the meeting. Applicants must also document all community comments and provide a list of attendees to the Planning Department as part of their permit application. This measure is intended to foster transparency and allow neighbors to raise concerns regarding decommissioning plans, environmental impacts, and property values early in the project lifecycle. The ordinance also sets strict requirements for the timing and accessibility of these community meetings.
PASSED (Unanimous). This ordinance requires applicants to hold community meetings and notify property owners within a one-mile radius of proposed solar project sites
Who said what
» Brant Tomlinson Council Member: suggested adding a requirement for face-to-face engagement with directly adjacent property owners ▶︎» Joey Adams-Raczkowski Public comment: confirmed that the Planning Commission requested a one-mile notification radius instead of the original proposal ▶︎
Rezoning 10.43 Acres at 1750 Highway 1 North (1st Reading):
Council approved rezoning a 10.43-acre parcel in Cassatt from Rural Resource to General Development to allow commercial usage.
Development
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.What this was about
This rezoning request changes the classification of a 10.43-acre parcel located at 1750 Highway 1 North from Rural Resource District (RD-2) to General Development District (GD). The applicant, Andrew Jeffers, intends to relocate his existing automotive repair business and a barber shop to the site and subdivide a portion of the property for residential use. Although the parcel is currently surrounded by RD-2 zoning, it sits adjacent to the damaged Midway General Store and in proximity to other commercially oriented land uses along the Highway 1 corridor. Planning staff noted that while this move from one of the most restrictive districts to the most permissive district was significant, the size of the lot and its location near existing development patterns likely mitigates concerns regarding spot zoning. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval, citing the need for commercial growth in the Cassatt area. The applicant testified that his operations maintain strict environmental standards for waste management.
PASSED (Unanimous). The property was rezoned from Rural Resource District (RD-2) to General Development District (GD) to allow for planned commercial use
Conveyance of Property to Community Medical Clinic (1st Reading, as amended):
Council authorized the transfer of clinic land to a non-profit, adding restrictions on how future sale proceeds are used.
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.What this was about
This ordinance authorizes the formal conveyance of a 1.00-acre parcel located at 116 East DeKalb Street to the Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County. The county acquired this land in 2004 using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and the original agreement stipulated that the land and improvements would be transferred to the non-profit clinic after a 20-year period. With that time frame now lapsed, the ordinance finalizes this transition. Council amended the measure to ensure that if the clinic ever sells the property in the future, the resulting proceeds must be restricted to eleemosynary (non-profit/charitable) public purposes, subject to County Council approval. This amendment ensures that the public investment made two decades ago remains dedicated to public good. The deed will include a formal restriction requiring the continued operation of a non-profit medical clinic on the site.
PASSED (Unanimous). Council approved transferring the land and clinic building to the non-profit corporation, with an added amendment restricting future sale proceeds to non-profit public purposes
Approval of Minutes (Sept 10, 2024):
Council approved the minutes from the September 10, 2024, regular meeting with two abstentions.
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
The Council formally approved the minutes from the regular meeting held on September 10, 2024. Chairman Ben Connell and Councilman Jimmy Jones abstained from the vote as they were absent from the previous meeting.
PASSED (Unanimous among voting members; two abstentions recorded)
Discussed, no vote ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Planning Commission Appointments: Council acknowledged three new applications for the Planning Commission, including candidates Jonathan Proctor, Donald Cook, and Jidida Douglas. Appointments will be addressed at a future meeting.
- Pecan Orchard Easements: Councilman Jimmy Jones requested and received a briefing from staff regarding the county's existing easement rights and drainage responsibilities within the Pecan Orchard subdivision.
Public comment ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Trash and Squatters: A resident expressed concerns regarding illegal dumping, squatters, and fire hazards on property near the county border, seeking guidance on how to address these safety and maintenance issues.
- Solar Farm Concerns: A resident spoke regarding the impact of proposed solar farms on the community, citing concerns about property values, potential environmental runoff into Sanders Creek, and the lack of clear plans for decommissioning panels at the end of their lifecycle.
- MAD Festival: Dolly Patton, Executive Director of the Arts Center of Kershaw County, presented an update on the upcoming MAD Festival (Oct 9-13), highlighting its 50th-anniversary celebration and its role in promoting local arts, music, and tourism.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- The next Kershaw County Council meeting is scheduled for October 8, 2024.
- Council members are planning to wear pink during the first meeting in October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.