Lancaster City Council Approves Major 900-Home Development and Festival Plans

At its August 12 workshop, the Lancaster City Council approved several key agenda items, most notably a large-scale rezoning package that enables a new 900-home residential subdivision and accompanying commercial development to proceed. The meeting also included approval for a public festival and city planning updates. All items passed unanimously.

Highlights of the Meeting

• Rezoning Approved for 900-Home Development and 46 Acres of Commercial Use
• $7.3M in Estimated Annual Tax Revenue for City
• Festival Alcohol Resolution Approved for September Event
• Public Concerns Raised About Traffic and Emergency Services

Resolution 25-17: Sickle Cell Festival Alcohol Permit

Council approved Resolution 25-17, authorizing the public possession and consumption of beer and wine at the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation’s 9th Annual Family Day Festival, scheduled for Saturday, September 27, from 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event area includes Dunlap Street to Elm/Chesterfield, between Catawba and White Street, and Market Square (former post office lot).

The city has budgeted $30,000 for the event. Organizers will use wristbands and designated cups to monitor alcohol consumption and will pay for off-duty police officers and cleanup. Councilmembers Marsh and Miller moved to approve the resolution, which passed unanimously.

Major Development: Zoning Amendments for Residential and Commercial Expansion

Developer: Forestar Group

The largest portion of the workshop was devoted to the second reading of five ordinances related to zoning for a 900-home cluster subdivision and an adjacent 46-acre commercial district. The project spans nearly 400 acres and is expected to be built out over 10 years, beginning in 2027.

City officials and planners described the project as a strategic move to guide growth and secure long-term tax revenue. The subdivision alone is expected to generate $7.3 million annually in tax revenue for Lancaster once completed.

Approved Zoning Ordinances:

• Ordinance 25-10
  Rezones 1.041 acres at 217 Nicholls Road (Tax Map 0068K-C-0) to R-6 Residential.
  Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-11
  Rezones 5.776 acres at 1414 Lynwood Drive (owned by Iglesia El Siloe) to B-3 General Commercial. Serves as the city’s connection point to the annexed land.
  Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-12
  Rezones 304.63 acres along Airport Road and Hillcrest Avenue (owned by Leroy Springs & Co.) to R-15 Residential.
  Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-13
  Rezones 38.5 acres near Hillcrest Avenue and Watts Drive (also owned by Leroy Springs & Co.) to R-15 Residential.
  Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-14
  Rezones 48.2 acres along Airport Road and Edgeport Drive (owned by the Elliott White Springs Foundation) to B-3 General Commercial. The developer will donate 20 acres from this parcel to the city for public service or recreational use.
  Approved unanimously.

Traffic and Infrastructure Planning

A traffic engineer presented a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) that had been approved by SCDOT. The study, which accounted for 1,600 units (more than are planned), indicated that the existing road system could support the project with three new turn lanes added to Airport Road. These include:

• A left-turn lane on Edgeport Drive
• Two left-turn lanes at separate entrances to the new subdivision
• Signal modifications at Springdale Road and Airport Road

No new traffic lights are required.

Council Discussion and Concerns

While broadly supportive of the development, several councilmembers voiced concerns:

• Councilwoman Jackie Harris emphasized the need for timely completion to avoid long-term strain on emergency services.
• Questions were raised about the quality of housing and long-term project management, with city leaders underscoring the need for oversight through future planning board reviews.

Developers indicated that construction will not begin until at least 2027, and the project will go through several additional planning stages, including:

• Submission of a preliminary plat
• Cluster development application
• Full subdivision design approval

Public Input

Resident Nicole Miller submitted a written comment expressing concern about the project’s density and potential for over 2,100 additional vehicles on local roads. City staff and the developer indicated those concerns were considered in the TIA process.

Closing

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn by Councilmember Harris, seconded by Councilmember Marsh. All votes throughout the meeting passed unanimously.