The headline
Council passes second reading of the 2025-2035 Comprehensive Plan. The Council approved the second reading of the updated comprehensive plan, a document intended to guide the county's growth and land use policy for the next decade. While members acknowledged the need for technical corrections regarding historical sites and infrastructure data, they emphasized the plan is a living document that can be refined through future code updates.
Comprehensive Plan Update (2nd Reading):
The Council advanced the 2025-2035 Comprehensive Plan, intended to guide the county's long-term growth and land policy.
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
The 2025-2035 Comprehensive Plan serves as the primary policy document for guiding growth, land use, and infrastructure investments over the next decade. The plan incorporates feedback from over 600 stakeholders and includes ten elements, such as population projections, economic development, and resiliency planning. During the public hearing, residents raised concerns regarding technical inaccuracies, such as the classification of the polo field and the use of 2021 census data for current projections. Council members and staff acknowledged that the plan is a 'living document' and committed to refining these technical details before the final third reading in October. The Council emphasized that this plan is essential for the upcoming rewrite of the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR). The motion passed unanimously, though members noted that further revisions will occur prior to final adoption.
PASSED (Unanimous). The plan establishes a vision for future growth, though council members noted it requires further technical refinement before the final reading
Who said what
» Derek Shoemake Council Member: noted that the plan is a living document and technical issues can be corrected before final adoption ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: expressed skepticism toward the current draft and indicated he would be reviewing it closely before the final vote ▶︎» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: emphasized that the community makes the county successful rather than the government document ▶︎Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Multi-County Business Park with Lee County (2nd Reading):
Council approved an agreement with Lee County to support regional economic development via a joint business park.
Jobs & economyDevelopmentParks & 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
This ordinance amends and restates the existing agreement between Kershaw County and Lee County to manage a joint multi-county business park. The primary purpose of this update is to include 'Project NAM' into the park, which provides the necessary framework for tax incentives and fee-in-lieu-of-tax arrangements to support the project's economic development goals. These joint parks are standard economic development tools authorized under South Carolina law that allow counties to offer jobs tax credits and shared tax revenue. By bringing Lee County into this agreement, Kershaw County aims to facilitate industrial investment that might otherwise be hindered by the lack of available tax incentive structures. This was the second of three required readings. The measure passed unanimously, reflecting the Council's support for regional cooperation in attracting new employers to the area.
PASSED (Unanimous). This update adds Project NAM to the joint business park to support economic development
Comprehensive Plan Update (2nd Reading):
The Council advanced the 2025-2035 Comprehensive Plan, intended to guide the county's long-term growth and land policy.
Unanimous · 7-0
▸
detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
The 2025-2035 Comprehensive Plan serves as the primary policy document for guiding growth, land use, and infrastructure investments over the next decade. The plan incorporates feedback from over 600 stakeholders and includes ten elements, such as population projections, economic development, and resiliency planning. During the public hearing, residents raised concerns regarding technical inaccuracies, such as the classification of the polo field and the use of 2021 census data for current projections. Council members and staff acknowledged that the plan is a 'living document' and committed to refining these technical details before the final third reading in October. The Council emphasized that this plan is essential for the upcoming rewrite of the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR). The motion passed unanimously, though members noted that further revisions will occur prior to final adoption.
PASSED (Unanimous). The plan establishes a vision for future growth, though council members noted it requires further technical refinement before the final reading
Who said what
» Derek Shoemake Council Member: noted that the plan is a living document and technical issues can be corrected before final adoption ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: expressed skepticism toward the current draft and indicated he would be reviewing it closely before the final vote ▶︎» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: emphasized that the community makes the county successful rather than the government document ▶︎
Zoning Map Amendment for 1306 Skyview Drive (1st Reading):
Council allowed the first reading of a rezoning request to support a local church's community outreach services.
DevelopmentHousing
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
Second Chance Fellowship requested to rezone a 0.50-acre parcel at 1306 Skyview Drive from Medium Density Residential (R-10) to General Business (B-2). Pastor Marvin Jones explained that the church intends to use the property to expand its community outreach programs, specifically mentioning a partnership with the United Way to provide services for the local homeless population, including food and showers. While the county must treat this as a general use rezoning rather than a conditional use, the applicant emphasized the church's long-standing service to the community. Council members expressed strong support for the church's charitable mission. The first reading passed unanimously, and the matter will proceed to second reading on October 14.
PASSED (Unanimous). This allows a church to rezone a 0.50-acre parcel from residential to business to support community and homeless outreach services
Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations Text Amendments (3rd Reading):
Council finalized updates to zoning text amendment procedures and public hearing notice requirements.
Development
Yes 6 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✗ Jimmy JonesWhat this was about
This ordinance amends the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR) to streamline the internal processes for text amendments and public hearing notifications. The updates specifically address Section 6:2.2-1 and Section 6:2.2-2 to ensure clearer timelines for proposed changes and more effective public notification requirements. Councilman Derek Shoemake explained that the change creates a 30-day window after a referral for items to return to Council if not otherwise heard and allows for shorter time frames for hearings where permitted by statute. This was the final reading for the measure, which passed 6-1, with Jimmy Jones casting the dissenting vote.
PASSED For 6 · Against 1. This update clarifies procedures and timelines for text amendments and public hearing notices
Discussed, no vote ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Data Center Rezoning: Residents and local representatives spoke extensively in public comment to oppose the potential rezoning of a 162-acre site on Park Road for a massive data center. Council members clarified that no data center proposal is currently on the agenda and expressed the need for thorough study regarding environmental, noise, and utility impacts before any such project could be considered.
- Finance Committee Report: Councilman Tucker provided an update on the county's recreational projects, confirming that the Wateree boat ramp is nearing completion and that all four major recreation projects were funded without increasing millage or issuing new debt.
- Building Inspection Fees: Council discussed the fee structure for building inspections, emphasizing that the current policy aims to ensure quality control while keeping costs manageable for citizens.
Public comment ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Twelve speakers addressed the Council, with the majority voicing concerns over the proposed data center, citing potential light and noise pollution, water consumption, and energy grid strain. Other residents urged caution in finalizing the Comprehensive Plan, requesting that staff verify data accuracy regarding road safety, historical site rankings, and utility infrastructure before the third and final reading.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Smart Growth Committee Meeting: September 30 at 5:00 p.m.
- Comprehensive Plan Update (3rd Reading): October 14, 2025.
- Zoning Map Amendment for 1306 Skyview Drive (2nd Reading): October 14, 2025.
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.