Council establishes a new Smart Growth Rewrite Committee to lead the upcoming overhaul of the county zoning code
Following a motion by Councilman Derek Shoemake, the council unanimously voted to form this ad hoc committee, which will include council members and community appointees to ensure the body holds the lead role in drafting updates to the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR). The committee is intended to steer development policy as the county manages significant population growth.
9 votes9 passed1 split
The vote behind the headline
Formation of a Smart Growth Rewrite Committee:Council created a committee to oversee the comprehensive rewrite of the county zoning code.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.
Council established an ad hoc Smart Growth Rewrite Committee to lead the upcoming overhaul of the county's Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR). Councilman Derek Shoemake will chair the committee, with Councilman Brant Tomlinson serving as the second council member. The committee will include one member from the Planning Commission and four members from the public, who will be appointed by the Chairman. The goal is to update the zoning code to reflect current growth pressures, as the county's population increase is significantly outpacing decade-old projections. The committee will draft policy recommendations to be presented directly to the council, ensuring elected officials remain in control of land-use policy. The council unanimously passed the motion to formalize the committee, which will operate with a limited duration to complete its tasks by November 28, 2025.
Adoption of the Agenda:Council unanimously approved the agenda for the August 12, 2025, meeting.
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 Catoe
What this was about
The meeting agenda was presented for formal adoption by the council. This is a standard procedural step required at the start of each meeting to establish the topics for discussion and voting. Councilman Danny Catoe made the motion to adopt, which was seconded by Vice Chairman Russell Brazell. Council members voted unanimously to proceed with the items as published in the meeting notice. There were no modifications requested to the agenda during this portion of the meeting.
Approval of the Minutes for July 22, 2025:Council approved the minutes from the previous meeting, with Vice Chairman Brazell abstaining due to absence.
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.
The council reviewed and approved the official minutes from the July 22, 2025, meeting. Councilman Derek Shoemake moved for approval, seconded by Councilman Brant Tomlinson. The minutes were passed with a 6-0 vote. Vice Chairman Russell Brazell abstained from the vote because he was absent during the July 22 session.
Amendment of Minor Subdivision definition (2nd Reading):Council advanced a zoning amendment redefining minor subdivisions as those containing fewer than five lots.Development
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.
This ordinance seeks to update the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR) to redefine a minor subdivision as any development containing fewer than five lots. Developments with five or more lots will now be classified as major subdivisions, which triggers a different review and oversight process. This was the second reading of the measure, following its initial introduction on July 22, 2025. Council members debated the implications of the change, with Councilman Russell Brazell inquiring about potential exemptions for family property transfers. Staff clarified that while state law already contains certain exemptions for family partitions, the county code change focuses specifically on the lot count trigger to standardize development review. The measure passed unanimously, with the council noting that a third reading remains on the schedule to address any final questions or adjustments before it becomes official county policy.
Tomlinson Amendment to Event Venue ordinance:Council unanimously approved an amendment increasing the minimum lot size for rural event venues to 10 acres.
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 Catoe
What this was about
Councilman Brant Tomlinson introduced this amendment to the proposed Event Venue ordinance during the second reading process. The change modifies the requirements for Rural Event Venues and Rural Country Clubs by increasing the minimum lot size from 5 acres to 10 acres. Councilman Tomlinson explained that the intent is to protect agricultural neighborhoods and large-tract residential areas from having commercial event spaces located directly adjacent to them. He noted that this protective buffer serves as both a quality-of-life measure for existing residents and a strategic framework for future economic development by encouraging smaller, appropriately sited venues. The council supported the amendment unanimously, viewing it as a necessary refinement to the broader ordinance regulating venue operations.
Event Venue ordinance with Tomlinson Amendment (2nd Reading):Council passed an ordinance regulating event venues, excluding Councilman Jimmy Jones who voted no.Development
Yes 6 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✗ Jimmy Jones
This ordinance amends the ZLDR to formally include definitions and regulations for commercial event venues, rural event venues, and rural country clubs. It also removes references to bed and breakfasts hosting weddings as the primary venue path, creating a standalone conditional use process for event spaces. The measure was passed on second reading following the incorporation of Councilman Tomlinson's amendment regarding minimum lot sizes. While the council generally supported the need to modernize the zoning code to handle event venue requests - which staff noted have historically been difficult to permit under existing bed and breakfast rules - Councilman Jimmy Jones cast the sole dissenting vote. The ordinance provides developers with clearer paths for permitting, including fire and safety requirements, while establishing standards for signage and usage. It now moves forward for final consideration.
PASSEDFor 6 · Against 1. This amendment increases the minimum lot size to 10 acres for rural event venues and country clubs
Intergovernmental Judicial Services Agreement with the Town of Camden:Council approved a 90-day agreement for the county to assist the Town of Elgin with zoning and permitting.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.
This intergovernmental agreement allows Kershaw County’s Planning and Zoning Department to perform building permit, inspection, and planning duties for the Town of Elgin for a period not to exceed 90 days. The agreement is designed as a contingency measure while the town manages its current staffing or negotiation needs. Council members expressed support for helping a fellow municipality maintain consistent services. This was the second reading of the ordinance, with no changes made since the first reading held on July 22. The council voted unanimously to approve the agreement, ensuring the county is prepared to step in if requested to prevent delays in development for the Town of Elgin.
The council approved a request from the Finance Committee to allocate $350,000 from the county's Emergency Reserves to address Phase I of the Pecan Orchard drainage and infrastructure project. This funding aims to resolve longstanding drainage issues that have affected residents. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr., representing the Finance Committee, moved for the funding, emphasizing that while this covers the initial phase, staff is still directed to aggressively pursue grants and other external funding sources to offset the costs of subsequent phases and replenish the emergency fund. The project has been a subject of significant debate and multiple meetings, with council members ultimately reaching a compromise to address the immediate needs of the community while maintaining fiscal caution.
PASSED (Unanimous). The council voted to draw these funds from Emergency Reserves
Council established an ad hoc Smart Growth Rewrite Committee to lead the upcoming overhaul of the county's Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR). Councilman Derek Shoemake will chair the committee, with Councilman Brant Tomlinson serving as the second council member. The committee will include one member from the Planning Commission and four members from the public, who will be appointed by the Chairman. The goal is to update the zoning code to reflect current growth pressures, as the county's population increase is significantly outpacing decade-old projections. The committee will draft policy recommendations to be presented directly to the council, ensuring elected officials remain in control of land-use policy. The council unanimously passed the motion to formalize the committee, which will operate with a limited duration to complete its tasks by November 28, 2025.
Routine procedural motions:Council approved motions to enter executive session and to adjourn the meeting.
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 Catoe
What this was about
The council completed routine procedural tasks, including a motion to enter an executive session to receive legal advice and discuss personnel matters, as well as a final motion to adjourn the meeting. These actions were handled unanimously.
PASSED (Unanimous). The council adopted routine motions to enter and exit executive session, as well as the final motion to adjourn
Stormwater Analysis and Fee Study: Council approved a $80,000 feasibility study to be funded by Emergency Reserves to assess stormwater management and the potential need for a formal stormwater department to address drainage issues in growing subdivisions.
Capital Improvement Updates: The County Administrator provided status reports on various recreation projects, noting that while weather-related delays have impacted timelines, the projects remain within their respective budgets.
Spears Creek Wastewater Proposal: Chairman Connell noted that a vote regarding a capacity increase for the Spears Creek wastewater site was deferred at the Santee-Lynches Council of Governments (SLCOG) meeting pending further review of potential impacts on the Wateree River.
Public comment▸showhide
One speaker, Perry Gustafson, addressed the council regarding a civics education workshop series scheduled for late August and September.
The workshop aims to educate citizens on local government functions, public engagement, and effective communication with elected officials.
Coming up▸showhide
Recreation Department Update: Requested for the August 26, 2025 meeting.
Smart Growth Rewrite Committee: The committee will begin its work with initial appointments and planning sessions; future public-facing sessions will be announced in upcoming agendas.
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.
