The headline
Kershaw County Council passed three ordinances on their third and final readings, including new standards for commercial solar energy farms and a zoning map amendment for a property in Cassatt. Additionally, Council moved to cancel their November 26 and December 24 meetings due to the holiday season.
Cancel November 26th and December 24th meetings:
Council voted to cancel the final meetings in November and December due to holiday schedules.
Yes 5 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Jimmy JonesWhat this was about
Following a motion by the Chairman, the Council voted to cancel their regularly scheduled meetings on November 26 and December 24, 2024. The decision was based on the anticipated travel schedules of members and staff during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Council members noted that despite these cancellations, a special called meeting may be necessary in late November to address urgent business, including ongoing airport contract updates and the Pecan Orchard stormwater project. Councilman Jimmy Jones cast the lone dissenting vote, citing the importance of maintaining a consistent meeting schedule to address pressing county matters. The Council intends to coordinate schedules to ensure that any essential legislative business is handled via a called meeting rather than letting a significant gap in operations occur.
PASSED For 5 · Against 1
Who said what
» Ben Connell Chairman: Recommended cancelling the meetings due to holiday travel convenience while noting a special meeting could still be called. ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: Opposed the cancellations, arguing that the county has too many critical ongoing issues to skip meetings for a month. ▶︎Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Solar Energy Farm Ordinance 24-22 (3rd Reading):
This ordinance requires solar farm developers to hold community meetings before applying for conditional use permits.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
This ordinance introduces a mandatory community engagement process for large-scale commercial standalone solar energy farms in Kershaw County. Applicants must now hold a community meeting to present site plans and gather feedback prior to submitting their conditional use application. The measure requires the applicant to mail written notice to all property owners within one mile of the project boundary at least 21 days before the meeting. The applicant must then submit meeting notes, a summary of community comments, and an attendee list to the Planning and Zoning Department as part of their permit application. This change aims to increase transparency and prevent surprises for nearby residents, as directed by the Council in June 2024. The Planning Commission recommended approval with the one-mile notification zone, an increase from the originally proposed quarter-mile. This is the third and final reading following unanimous support in earlier sessions.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Who said what
» Joey Adams-Raczkowski Public comment: Explained that the amendment requires developers to hold meetings and notify property owners within a one-mile radius of a project. ▶︎» Danny Catoe Council Member: Noted that the ordinance sets important standards for future solar energy companies entering the county. ▶︎» Brant Tomlinson Council Member: Supported the ordinance for increasing the notification distance to one mile to ensure citizen awareness. ▶︎
Zoning Map Amendment Ordinance 24-24 (3rd Reading):
Council approved rezoning 10.43 acres on Highway 1 North in Cassatt from rural to general development.
Development
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
This ordinance rezones a 10.43-acre parcel located at 1750 Highway 1 North in Cassatt from RD-2 (Rural Resource District) to GD (General Development District). The property owners, Andrew and Tammy Jeffers, requested the change to develop the site for a barber shop and an auto garage, with plans to potentially subdivide a portion of the rear for a residence. While the property is currently zoned for rural use, it is situated between existing GD-zoned areas, including the Midway General Store property and Prestage Farms. The Planning Commission reviewed the request and unanimously recommended approval, noting that while it allows for a wide range of commercial uses under the GD designation, the location along a principal arterial road makes it suitable for transition. This final reading concludes the process, allowing the owners to move forward with their site development plans.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Community Medical Clinic Land Conveyance (3rd Reading):
Council finalized the transfer of land to the Community Medical Clinic with restrictions on future sale proceeds.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
This ordinance authorizes the official conveyance of a one-acre parcel of land to the Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County. The county originally purchased this land in 2004 using CDBG funds and maintained a memorandum of understanding to transfer the property to the clinic after 20 years. Because that time period has elapsed, the county is formalizing the transfer. To ensure the land continues to serve a public health purpose, the Council included specific deed restrictions requiring that net proceeds from any future sale of the property be used for eleemosynary or public health-related purposes within the county. These amendments were crafted in coordination with the clinic's board and legal counsel to allow for operational flexibility while maintaining oversight of public funds. The Council passed this on its third and final reading following the successful negotiation of these terms.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Cancel November 26th and December 24th meetings:
Council voted to cancel the final meetings in November and December due to holiday schedules.
Yes 5 · No 1
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detailsless
How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Jimmy JonesWhat this was about
Following a motion by the Chairman, the Council voted to cancel their regularly scheduled meetings on November 26 and December 24, 2024. The decision was based on the anticipated travel schedules of members and staff during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Council members noted that despite these cancellations, a special called meeting may be necessary in late November to address urgent business, including ongoing airport contract updates and the Pecan Orchard stormwater project. Councilman Jimmy Jones cast the lone dissenting vote, citing the importance of maintaining a consistent meeting schedule to address pressing county matters. The Council intends to coordinate schedules to ensure that any essential legislative business is handled via a called meeting rather than letting a significant gap in operations occur.
PASSED For 5 · Against 1
Who said what
» Ben Connell Chairman: Recommended cancelling the meetings due to holiday travel convenience while noting a special meeting could still be called. ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: Opposed the cancellations, arguing that the county has too many critical ongoing issues to skip meetings for a month. ▶︎Routine Housekeeping: EMS & fire ▸ detailsless
Council voted to adopt the agenda, approve the October 8 minutes (with B. Tomlinson abstaining), honor the Kershaw County Fire Service with a resolution, and enter/exit executive session
Discussed, no vote ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Pecan Orchard and Stormwater: County Administrator Danny Templar updated the council on ongoing survey work, ditch cleaning, and engineering timelines for the Pecan Orchard area.
- Airport Contracts: Council discussed ongoing efforts to update airport hangar contracts and fee structures, with some disagreement regarding the level of administrative authority versus council oversight.
- Special Olympics: Cleatus Ray presented on his intent to step down as Special Olympics Chairperson and requested council support in encouraging the school district to ensure the program's continuity.
Public comment ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Three residents spoke during public comment: - Terry Davis and Melita Rabon: Addressed ongoing, severe flooding concerns in the Canterfield neighborhood and surrounding areas, citing issues with drainage planning and property management. - Corlyn Bunin: Criticized the county’s handling of FOIA requests and discussed concerns regarding the lack of easements and permits related to stormwater drainage in the Pecan Orchard area.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- School Board Meeting: November 12, 2024 (relevant to Special Olympics leadership transition).
- Special Called Meeting: Council members indicated a potential special meeting in the third week of November to address outstanding items such as the Pecan Orchard project and airport matters.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.