Council rejects church’s plan for the PTL Tower

After five years of deliberations, York County Council Monday made more headway on deciding the future of one of York County’s biggest…and tallest… eyesores.

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That’s York County Councilman David Bowman bringing forward a motion Monday night before council to reject Morningstar Ministries plan to renovate the former Heritage USA tower in Fort Mill.

Council voted unanimously last night following nearly a half hour of Executive Session during the regularly scheduled meeting.

County Councilman Chad Williams said the county and Morningstar have been fighting for nearly half a decade, and progress needs to be made on the 20-story tower that sits abandoned and unfinished — and is an eyesore to many Fort Mill residents.

Eric Kinsinger, who lives in neighboring Regent Park and is behind the group Tear Down the Tower-dot-com, says he’s pleased with Monday’s decision.

Kinsinger says he and his wife have been the victims of personal character attacks from supporters of the church, and he doesn’t expect that to change following Monday’s decision.

And supporters for the church were also on hand Monday, and were visibly disappointed following council’s decision to reject the plan.

Morningstar Fellowship member George — who would only give his first name — said the church’s plans to develop the property were thwarted by Wall Street.

York County Manager Jim Baker says the Morningstar case how heads back to a mediator to officially declare an impasse — which may lead to further discussions between the two parties, or, more likely, will be decided by the courts.

PDF: County Manager Jim Baker’s timeline of events with Morningstar Ministries