[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6265254,"mediaKeyId","3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d","parentId",3093770,"title","Residents urge review of agricultural zoning and request protection of trails and live oaks in new developments","audioSeconds",246,"startMs",1619000,"endMs",1865000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d&start=1619&end=1865","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d/thumbnail_1619000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265254/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Residents-urge-review-of-agricultural-zoning-and-request-protection-of-trails-and-live-oaks-in-new-developments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265254-7715683026895f0f2f7bdd5767be03ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174676&Signature=Q0OMsPsBxauRCDKEa6virba1bGpcK7QLbyh7x7FVD23s025KhZL63HceB4p6NiuXFmEu4kUT01GtD2By3ytTPQm12SNg9N7WlaEyjngfVu4rNVC6yXJLEG6yrSmHC863QdRsziCZ65ifAuCZ~zI4KTgEGYj0vXcyD318c4A46AXElapQ3zQV33y0ZNkD17L0QP347T1ij6D6ofSc4C3IX2Wi8EjLX7B6MMKLc~AOJLeB2YrnusPoBQdmEw4u3DWXXX2JlIuRM8D~R5mG3RbrOe8kuAa7hzJsQv-rePV1HcL1KkZFWdlDMPHbFd-mbDzCEGubMfG1U620R9ncec5QCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dorchester County Public Meetings","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","Two residents addressed Dorchester County Council April 21 during the request‑to‑address portion of the meeting.

Arlene Wheeler, 377 Somerset, told council she was concerned about agricultural zoning being used on properties held by publicly traded homebuilders. Wheeler cited company names she said own land and argued that agricultural zoning is intended to preserve farmland and should not be granted when land is held for development by public companies. She referenced South Carolina law and said agricultural‑use qualifications should not be met if the ownership structure includes more than 10 shareholders or non‑individual shareholders, and she said applications for agricultural classification did not ask those ownership questions. Wheeler also raised questions about rollback tax periods, which she said recently changed to a three‑year period from five years, and asked whether rollback taxes are based on market value or the county’s assessed value. She placed materials on the council desk for review.

John Tolomey, 113 Phoebe Drive, thanked council for park work and then asked the council to press developers to honor trail and habitat commitments in The Ponds community. Tolomey said advertised trail mileage had been removed as developments progressed, that mature live oaks and other habitat features have been cleared, and that homeowners lack the authority to enforce developer commitments. He asked the council to “stand tall” and help ensure developers meet their obligations for trails and ecological protections.

Council members and staff responded that current development agreements are the controlling documents, that no new development agreement amendments were before council at the meeting, and that the council has previously exercised leverage to enforce commitments where appropriate. No formal council action followed these public comments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dorchester County Council Meeting 04.21.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two residents spoke during the council’s request‑to‑address period: Arlene Wheeler raised concerns about agricultural zoning, tax rollback and developers' ownership structures; John Tolomey asked the council to enforce development commitments to preserve trails and mature live oak trees in The Ponds community.","taxTitle","Dorchester County, South Carolina","taxId",4553,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6265259,"Dorchester County staff give financial update and status reports on capital and public‑works projects",1116,2543000,3659000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d&start=2543&end=3659","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d/thumbnail_2543000.jpg","/articles/6265259/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Dorchester-County-staff-give-financial-update-and-status-reports-on-capital-and-publicworks-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265259-bcd1d0e00fd34618975fd2b91c713f4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174676&Signature=EycJo5GNFRr8MTZ757f0lYjyzwgOpbgWTvxG8awMjsQaISO7MFOA~5VX~eQYevoN4qI20LF61IOCQVlEmXcoCU6CgYXBv7XrJ7sadlrix30R4Vm8j8uRPEEVBx9oKbL9COYtF4qMwYeFqv3jOHemXKlBSN0MckXp4JTTswamEBPte9~3S6LVsYdY7AK5KUJSyZ2ABxUXEg1SWBppSuYHGeKO6syNqAk8mocPcRAh8fpM-8iuWrh3ewzBocBCDqo2QnjYxq6KcSCetDOKQ0-JHGdSFzXYEkIVjonYr2f3PhBLnBs~iRXsPLEi1bzwox65I~QandtvbeMSHjZD-aYVwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County finance and project staff presented updates to council on April 21 covering fiscal performance through March and the status of multiple capital and public‑works projects.

Finance presentation — A county finance staff member reported that through March (75% of the fiscal year elapsed) general fund revenue collections were 74.4% of budget and expenditures were 69.9%. Property tax collections were reported at 87.4% with the expectation of full collection by year end. The presentation included summary figures for other funds: library fund revenue collections 79.7% and expenditures 57.8%; capital fund revenue $5,892,520 (51.1% of budget) and expenditures at 53.6%; fire fund revenue collections 81.66% and expenditures 68.2%; water and sewer fund revenue $41,200,000 (66% of budget) and expenditures $62,200,000 (99.6% of budget); ARPA funds expended 88.8% with 100% of ARPA funds committed to projects.

Capital projects and public works — Adam Davis provided a multi‑project capital update, noting progress on a mixed‑use redevelopment at 500 North Main Street (master plan under town review), a new coroner’s office (groundbreaking in May), Oak Brook Sports Complex covenants and permit steps, Pine Trace Park (asphalt drives complete; lighting and playground equipment installation pending), and a ribbon cutting tomorrow for the Swan Drive kayak launch. Davis also said design work is progressing for a Saint George behavioral health facility, Station 8 renovation in Ridgeville and other projects.

Public Works Director Sunshine Trakis reviewed road, bridge and trail projects including final design at First Bend Road and Rice Mill Drive (90% complete), right‑of‑way acquisition for bridge replacement work, Ashley River Park connector (60% design), Ladson Road streetscaping (DOT encroachment permit received), and multiple widening and improvement projects on Maple Street, Spring Road, SC‑27, US‑78 phases and others. Trakis noted execution of an emergency procurement to complete tree clearing ahead of a seasonal environmental restriction tied to the Northern long‑eared bat permit condition so that clearing work would finish before April 1.

Utilities and water projects — Larry Harper gave updates on sewer and water line installations and pump station work, including Barrett Street mainline installation, regional water connection phases, and multiple pump station and force main projects at various stages of bidding, permitting or construction. Harper said some projects are near completion and others remain in design or permitting.

Council and staff noted upcoming site events: a ribbon cutting at the Berlin G. Myers overpass scheduled for 10 a.m. April 25, and a Swan Drive kayak launch ribbon cutting the following day.

No council action was required for these staff reports; staff answered member questions on timelines and next steps.","Finance staff reported general fund revenues at 74.4% and expenditures at 69.9% through March; capital projects and public works managers reviewed park, roads, bridge, water and sewer projects and upcoming ribbon‑cuttings and groundbreakings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6265264,"Votes at a glance: Dorchester County Council approves minutes, proclamation, appointments and agreements",857,3366000,4223000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d&start=3366&end=4223","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d/thumbnail_3366000.jpg","/articles/6265264/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Dorchester-County-Council-approves-minutes-proclamation-appointments-and-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265264-160d473719785f359accddc8be1150bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174676&Signature=nhXJ1pRUHx4Xk3gFQ0X8WYKSf9U2btomQxNtHT7R3N6fupLVGTCnwf1FWr6gSTQeD--Is~a--uEBhDBERLDRTPRlEYRYbvTWykKdm0H97xKHD~2J38x0Gq0HOHs8wkQIjE1a1DX3tuZ8kdsljR8ndbQBivQkEAbVY3m251UqxYeNILzP27Mm33FbzxrVFw2Y9J0LOickYQJeVaNCmpyINxG5yNTqixXfLvG58ejpBzeEIVS-Jd-9sLiLZ3mVOm~0MoqMUwiKBKPVsjHtRrKJOBCD28LScEQbX0SdSp2H9f81tYZ7oeAmlskxCaQRCYfllBXJW3b1x2FocyWmC0GBiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dorchester County Council took several routine and administrative actions during its April 21 meeting. The council voted unanimously on the items below.

Adopt minutes — The council adopted minutes from the April 7, 2025 Council meeting by voice vote; the chair announced the vote was unanimous (6 in favor).

Proclamation — Council adopted Proclamation No. 25‑007 proclaiming April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Dorchester County. The proclamation recited state and county child population figures and local child advocacy center caseloads; council adopted the proclamation by voice vote and invited members of Dr. Phillips’ board to the front of the chamber.

Resolution (Lake Marion) — Council adopted Resolution 25‑005, confirming the county’s commitment to reserve additional water capacity from the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency. (See separate article for discussion and funding details.)

Appointment — Council approved a motion to appoint and commission John Gray as a code enforcement officer authorized to issue summonses under Dorchester County ordinances (chapter 4 animals and chapter 14 environment) pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 4‑9‑145. The motion passed by voice vote; the appointee stood to be commissioned.

Intergovernmental agreement with Ridgeville — Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Town of Ridgeville covering traffic‑impact review, road maintenance management review and stormwater review. The motion as amended authorized the county administrator to make non‑material changes in consultation with staff before finalizing the document with the town. Council members noted the towns will reimburse county costs per the agreement and that future separate agreements could address county management of town projects if needed.

Referral: road construction standard amendment — Council referred an ordinance amendment to the Planning, Development & Building Committee and to the Planning Commission for public hearing and recommendation. The proposed change would amend Article 21 (required improvements/construction standards) to revise road paving requirements so the final lift of asphalt is uniform without patching; staff said the change would require an inspection at 75 percent build‑out and add a 12‑month maintenance warranty period before final acceptance.

Appointment to board — Council appointed Brian Norwood to the Foster Care Review Board; the motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment — The council adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

Where roll‑call tallies were not specified in the minutes, the chair announced unanimous approval for each item at the meeting.","Council approved adoption of April 7 minutes, proclaimed April 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month, appointed personnel and approved an intergovernmental agreement with the town of Ridgeville; council also referred a zoning construction‑standards amendment for review.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6265269,"Council chair urges support for state bill to allow county concurrency in development",344,995000,1339000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d&start=995&end=1339","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d/thumbnail_995000.jpg","/articles/6265269/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Council-chair-urges-support-for-state-bill-to-allow-county-concurrency-in-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265269-8df537641e92f00c479e2e309fe07eb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174676&Signature=gh3Uj8giGXuOI3XN8AMG26pTuJdDI9nRfcPVW8MERfCARXxzLDQhEg8qIUWSNRUrAtK8xyKz39jX--8eg~kyNZI4fNDDYwf1ZsuKSTDHO-599SCY0lIBjg3wKTf1oFzJ~CPdqLy2TNadNUdNRCtypOoODegQHJI6U2oiFsXNsIc49UI9CMXfJpe~lRI6CryFh~gtCUNDOsNpavpD1lLA1GYcOHxsmQR52uxaRcyTZrjdiWX-ZirFd2sr9BKdgjhE~rcOe8a4vtIw5fRvQU0JZ--rBSjJ8~lm25CHecbBZFg8i~9UQu2JGzTggyjokK9MKkoK66n-IOVvAIoki9Wp6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council Chairman C. David Chinis discussed pending state legislation April 21 that would explicitly authorize counties to require concurrency for development and enforce growth boundaries.

Chinis told council members he plans to attend a House subcommittee hearing and described House Bill 4050 and Senate Bill 227 as proposals that would give counties state‑level backing to require concurrency reviews tied to traffic, water and sewer capacity, and other development improvements.

“Whether anyone realizes it or not, if you're paying attention, you would see that a lot of the things that Dorchester County has done over the last 5 or 6 years are in fact concurrency,” Chinis said, adding that the county already uses traffic studies and service requirements to manage development. He described the state effort as an opportunity to codify authority the county has been building incrementally.

Chinis said the bill language may not be perfect but could provide a path to “good” outcomes and urged residents to contact their legislators; he noted a subcommittee hearing scheduled for the next day and predicted the bill could go to the full House shortly thereafter.

Council members did not take any formal vote on county policy at the meeting; the discussion was a briefing and a call for constituent engagement. Chinis said he had asked staff to explore a county concurrency ordinance and to review the county’s urban growth boundary, including potential service connections for Harleyville and St. George.

The remarks were presented as a policy update and background for council and the public rather than a formal council action.","Council chairman discussed House Bill 4050 and Senate Bill 227, which would authorize counties to require concurrency and growth boundaries; he encouraged constituents to contact legislators and said Dorchester has already implemented many concurrency tools locally.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":103,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6265273,"Dorchester County Council commits funds to reserve additional Lake Marion water capacity",215,780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d&start=780&end=995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093770-c411a54d456ea4598c7cf995e2e7d28d/thumbnail_780000.jpg","/articles/6265273/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Dorchester-County-Council-commits-funds-to-reserve-additional-Lake-Marion-water-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265273-f446cd63df22efd84a8f1b4a500fbdfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174676&Signature=dSDpTd-ZAK2xl8FnEuAnIXAvrjL7nsvlauKG3pX0H0o1NiDaEdg-AneKRUu-0LSChgIKJKLmARUbOdFwFbyZRcmEOXwc0szhlo-jGL2e0uOTfx8hYP9Nkazow~PO4lZMQMrZ-k9F18moTx9U0VjoAyt~K8vfwNrq386WAvgu5Hc2XYGH4XpEebNFCO71xlz5a0Yoc3BNGrh8N8nW1XRlptZeY4t2zihgebkEfd0Pyb0fzGifvnUuijtdRbqrRwDjYjO2XnsV1ho23vBNj8GPdXtCGRAxG8q-YM9KJo2zj4J0qxhPiIxEDTC6J-3qzBnwMgbKvS7P6ZyfFd98O52h7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dorchester County Council voted unanimously April 21 to confirm a commitment to reserve additional finished water capacity from the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency.

The vote follows a reading of Resolution 25‑005 and staff remarks explaining how the regional plant expansion and county participation fit into local infrastructure and economic development plans.

County Administrator Ward said Dorchester has been “a member of that agency for well over 20 years,” and described the project as a federally funded expansion that will increase finished water capacity at the Santee treatment plant. Ward said the plant was originally put in service in 2008 with about an 8,000,000‑gallon capacity and that recent membrane upgrades have allowed operation at about 8,500,000 gallons per day. He said the agency plans to increase finished water capacity to 12,500,000 gallons per day.

Ward told council the expansion is being funded roughly 75% with federal dollars and 25% local match. He said the county would be able to secure approximately 69.5% of the new capacity and that the county’s portion of the local match for the piece described in the resolution would be $854,902.13. Ward also said the “non federal share associated with this project, is right at $5,607,000.”

The resolution text read at the meeting states the county currently has an allocation of 3,000,000 gallons per day and that the county commits to paying the recurring costs necessary to reserve the additional capacity “upon completion of the finished water plant upgrade.” The resolution number recorded by council was 25‑005.

Council discussion touched on fire protection and economic development benefits from added water infrastructure. Ward said hundreds of fire hydrants and about 80,000 linear feet of water line have been installed in recent county projects, and noted that water availability contributes to Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings and supports industrial sites such as the Ridgeville Industrial Campus.

The council approved the resolution by voice vote; the chair said the vote was unanimous.

The resolution does not specify a final effective date beyond completion of the upgrade; the county’s ongoing non‑federal share and the total local cost were described by staff during the presentation.

Dorchester County staff and council members also named federal and regional partners involved in making the expansion possible during the presentation and discussion, and staff said the county has participated in other regional water projects for more than two decades.

The council did not specify additional implementation steps or an exact schedule at the meeting; staff indicated further coordination with the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency and project partners would follow.","Council voted unanimously to authorize Dorchester County to reserve additional finished water capacity from the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency; county staff said federal funding covers 75% of the project and the county’s share would be roughly $854,902.13 for its portion of the new capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge review of agricultural zoning and request protection of trails and live oaks in new developments

Dorchester County staff give financial update and status reports on capital and public‑works projects

Votes at a glance: Dorchester County Council approves minutes, proclamation, appointments and agreements

Council chair urges support for state bill to allow county concurrency in development

Dorchester County Council commits funds to reserve additional Lake Marion water capacity