York County Council Approves Key Zoning Changes, Capital Projects at June 16 Meeting

The June 16, 2025 York County Council meeting was held at the York County Government Center. Key events included a formal recognition of retiring Sheriff’s Department employee Melaki Fore, a robust public forum touching on zoning and safety concerns, and the passage of multiple rezoning and procurement-related agenda items. Notably, Council approved changes to zoning rules to accommodate taller data centers and conducted a public hearing and final reading to restructure the Economic Development Board.

Detailed Summary by Agenda Item

1. Consent Agenda
   • Approved unanimously, including minutes from the June 2 meeting and a third reading on zoning changes for data center building height.
2. Appearances
   • Sheriff Tony Breeden recognized Melaki Fore for her 17 years of service in the detention center. Council members commended her dedication.
3. Public Forum
   • Speakers raised concerns about:
     • Safety risks associated with Silfab’s industrial operations near a Fort Mill school.
     • Zoning and land use changes on Ormand Road.
     • Community health initiatives and upcoming events by Impact York County.
     • Upcoming Independence Day events in Fort Mill.
   • Comments on Ormand Road zoning were tied to two agenda rezoning items.
4. Public Hearing
   • Council conducted a third reading and public hearing on restructuring the Economic Development Board. The amendment redefined board composition and term appointments. It passed without opposition.
5. Old Business
   • Council adopted a zoning ordinance update reflecting changes from the Pennies for Progress referendum and removed completed transportation projects from overlay rules.
   • Rezoning Case 25-09 (Highway 160 W, Fort Mill) passed third reading with revised deed restriction requirements for age-restricted senior townhomes.
6. New Business
   • Zoning Code Amendments – First Readings
     • Retired AGC-I and RUD-I zones to legacy status and allowed more special exceptions (e.g., solar farms, breweries).
     • Revised family land divisions and broadened accessory use permissions (e.g., shipping containers on larger lots).
7. Rezoning Actions – Second Readings
   • Case 25-13: Rezone 0.68 acres at 2782 York Highway from GC to RUD (approved).
   • Case 25-15: Rezone 10.72 acres at 674 Ormand Road from RSF-40 to AGC (approved).
   • Case 25-16: Rezone 14.49 acres at 936 Johnson Farm Road from RSF-40 to AGC (approved).
   • Case 25-18: Rezone 5.73 acres at 148 Flint Hill Road from UD to LI (approved).
   • Case 25-12: Rezone 3.80 acres at 1781 Yorkshire Road from UD to LI (approved).
8. Procurement and Capital Projects
   • Council approved over 30 items, including:
     • $470,107 for Axon camera systems for the Sheriff’s Office.
     • $670,164 for new water heaters at the county prison.
     • $1.95 million contract amendment for Moss Justice Booking Center renovation.
     • Several project negotiations for trail development at Worth Mountain and Catawba Bend Preserve.
     • Other technology, maintenance, and infrastructure expenditures across departments.
9. Committee Reports and Executive Session
   • A brief Finance & Operations Committee report preceded an executive session for legal and contractual matters.
10. Transportation Committee Report
    • Approved the 2024–2025 C-Fund road project list, excluding District 5 selections due to pending cost estimates. Bowser Street was added to the list during discussion.