The headline
Council gave First Reading approval to a significantly amended Airport Overlay District (AOD) ordinance following extensive public feedback. These revisions aim to clarify agricultural protections for the local equestrian community while still establishing land use safeguards necessary for airport operations.
AOD Ordinance as Amended (1st Reading):
Council approved amended zoning regulations for the Airport Overlay District to protect land near the airport.
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✗ Russell Brazell✗ Jimmy JonesWhat this was about
This ordinance introduces land use and height regulations for property near the Kershaw County Airport to align with federal and state safety standards. The measure establishes specific overlay zones to prevent incompatible development near flight paths. Following significant public feedback from the local equestrian and hunt country communities, Council adopted several amendments to clarify that agricultural protections remain in place for hobby farms and that private land uses are not being targeted for closure. The ordinance is a proactive step to ensure the county remains eligible for future federal and state aviation grants, which may become contingent on such zoning measures by 2027. Despite the passage, two Council members voted against the measure, citing concerns about government overreach and the need for more public clarity. The county has scheduled an additional public meeting to continue gathering community input before the second reading, allowing for further adjustments to the zones.
PASSED For 5 · Against 2. This ordinance establishes height and land use regulations near the airport, with new amendments addressing concerns about hobby farming, hunting, and church expansion
Who said what
» Brant Tomlinson Council Member: Explained that the amendments were crafted to address public concerns while maintaining safety for airport operations. ▶︎» Derek Shoemake Council Member: Supported the amendments as a necessary step to address equestrian concerns while acknowledging that the ordinance remains a work in progress. ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: Expressed strong opposition, stating the process felt rushed and ignored the concerns of local property owners. ▶︎» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: Voted no, citing a need for more time to communicate with residents before moving forward. ▶︎Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Adopt the Agenda (None):
Council voted to adopt the meeting agenda.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Council unanimously adopted the agenda for the January 28, 2025, meeting.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Approval of January 14, 2025 Minutes (None):
Council approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Council approved the minutes for the January 14, 2025, meeting with Councilman Jimmy Jones abstaining due to his absence from that session.
PASSED For 6 · Against 0 (J. Jones abstained)
AOD Ordinance as Amended (1st Reading):
Council approved amended zoning regulations for the Airport Overlay District to protect land near the airport.
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✗ Russell Brazell✗ Jimmy JonesWhat this was about
This ordinance introduces land use and height regulations for property near the Kershaw County Airport to align with federal and state safety standards. The measure establishes specific overlay zones to prevent incompatible development near flight paths. Following significant public feedback from the local equestrian and hunt country communities, Council adopted several amendments to clarify that agricultural protections remain in place for hobby farms and that private land uses are not being targeted for closure. The ordinance is a proactive step to ensure the county remains eligible for future federal and state aviation grants, which may become contingent on such zoning measures by 2027. Despite the passage, two Council members voted against the measure, citing concerns about government overreach and the need for more public clarity. The county has scheduled an additional public meeting to continue gathering community input before the second reading, allowing for further adjustments to the zones.
PASSED For 5 · Against 2. This ordinance establishes height and land use regulations near the airport, with new amendments addressing concerns about hobby farming, hunting, and church expansion
Who said what
» Brant Tomlinson Council Member: Explained that the amendments were crafted to address public concerns while maintaining safety for airport operations. ▶︎» Derek Shoemake Council Member: Supported the amendments as a necessary step to address equestrian concerns while acknowledging that the ordinance remains a work in progress. ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: Expressed strong opposition, stating the process felt rushed and ignored the concerns of local property owners. ▶︎» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: Voted no, citing a need for more time to communicate with residents before moving forward. ▶︎
Airport Hangar Contracts and Fees (1st Reading):
Council approved new license agreements and a tiered fee structure for private airport hangars.
Yes 6 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Jimmy JonesWhat this was about
This ordinance creates formal license agreements and sets standardized rates for individuals and businesses renting private hangars at the Kershaw County Airport. The fee structure is based on a tiered model tied to amenities provided at each site, such as electricity, water, sewer, and office space. Hangars with electricity only are priced at 19 cents per square foot, while those with full utility access are set at 24 cents per square foot. These rates aim to ensure the airport operates as a self-sustaining enterprise fund, reducing the need for subsidies from general county tax dollars. The contracts also establish specific terms for commercial aviation maintenance tenants. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize county airport operations and formalize long-standing leasing practices for the 34 aircraft currently housed at the facility.
PASSED For 6 · Against 1. This sets formal license agreements and rates for private hangars at the airport
Fee-In-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes for Project Creed (1st Reading):
Council gave initial approval for a tax incentive agreement for a confidential economic development project.
Taxes & budgetJobs & economyDevelopment
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
This ordinance authorizes the execution and delivery of a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes (FILOT) agreement for a project currently identified as Project Creed. The incentive package includes special source revenue credits intended to facilitate the company's investment in the county. As this is a first reading in title only, specific details regarding the nature of the project - such as the industry, capital investment figures, and job creation numbers - remain confidential to protect the company's competitive interests during the negotiation process. Council members debated the lack of detail, with some expressing caution about providing incentives for potential solar or industrial projects without more transparency. Supporters emphasized that this is a standard procedural step for economic development and that further details will emerge before the final reading.
PASSED For 5 · Against 2. This is an initial procedural step for a potential economic development project
Who said what
» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: Advocated for keeping project details confidential during early stages to maintain business competitiveness. ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: Expressed frustration with the lack of transparency regarding the nature of the project. ▶︎About this project: Project Creed »
Employee Relations Committee Appointments (None):
Council approved the revised membership list for the county employee grievance committee.
Appointments
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Council approved the appointment of the newly structured Employee Relations Committee, formerly known as the Grievance Committee. This committee is composed of staff members from various departments who represent their peers in addressing workplace concerns and grievances. The new list includes staggered term expirations to ensure administrative continuity and orderly turnover of committee members. The appointments were presented by County Administrator Danny Templar as a way to formalize and professionalize the county's internal dispute resolution process.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Reappointment of Vice-Chairman Russell Brazell (None):
Council unanimously reappointed Russell Brazell to a two-year term as Vice-Chairman.
Appointments
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Council voted to extend Vice-Chairman Russell Brazell’s leadership role for an additional two-year term. Members praised Brazell for his professionalism, responsiveness to constituent concerns, and dedication to the county throughout his initial tenure in the position. Councilman Russell Brazell abstained from the vote.
PASSED For 6 · Against 0 (R. Brazell abstained)
Housekeeping Votes:
Council approved various administrative items including library and memorial presentations and schedule adjustments.
Parks & rec
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
Council unanimously approved several housekeeping items to maintain the flow of county operations and public engagement. This included a formal acceptance of a public presentation from the Kershaw County Library regarding their community health worker program and a presentation by the Sheriff on the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Council also voted to suspend standard rules to allow a presentation from Sterlite Technologies to proceed. Additionally, Council approved a motion to move a pending executive session item to the February 11th meeting agenda to account for the late hour. These actions reflect the Council's effort to balance their public-facing obligations with the administrative realities of a lengthy meeting. No controversial issues were involved in these procedural approvals, which were handled via unanimous voice or hand votes. These routine measures ensure that all presentations are formally recognized in the official record, keeping the meeting structure consistent with the county's established meeting guidelines.
Council unanimously passed items to accept presentations from the library and Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, suspend rules for a Sterlite Technologies presentation, and move agenda item 14A to the February 11th meeting
Discussed, no vote ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Election Commission Compensation: Chairman Connell requested that staff and the Voter Registration Director return at the next meeting with recommendations to adjust compensation for commission members and poll workers.
- Airport Hangar Operations: Staff clarified that there are currently 81 aircraft taxed in the county, with approximately 34 housed at the Kershaw County Airport.
- Administrative Projects: The County Administrator provided updates on preconstruction at Woodward Park, upcoming playground equipment deliveries at Mt. Pisgah, and efforts to standardize engineering requirements for local pole barn construction.
Public comment ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Ten residents addressed the council, primarily focusing on the AOD ordinance. Speakers expressed concerns regarding the potential impact of the airport overlay on property values, the long-term justification for airport capital investments, and the preservation of the local horse and hunt country culture. Other residents raised issues regarding litter ordinances and provided testimony regarding experiences with county staff during construction permitting.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Follow-up AOD Meeting: Council will host a public meeting regarding the AOD ordinance this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers.
- Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.