[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6568788,"mediaKeyId","3193245-cd8aff218da96439421aabfd2cc2266c","parentId",3193245,"title","County council approves amendment extending Oak Ridge Landfill development rights; moves forward on tax repeal first reading and budget referral","audioSeconds",826,"startMs",4967000,"endMs",5793000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193245-cd8aff218da96439421aabfd2cc2266c&start=4967&end=5793","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193245-cd8aff218da96439421aabfd2cc2266c/thumbnail_4967000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568788/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/County-council-approves-amendment-extending-Oak-Ridge-Landfill-development-rights-moves-forward-on-tax-repeal-first-reading-and-budget-referral","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568788-9a227a155cd9f77386361cdd178b7ef0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439984&Signature=FBkW6-Igyc7GRfmLHbbbzgB7JCR3qUwitErILpvSrXYS0iO-BRIVVxDuxy5GbZr305yLpaFVgxiT~pANCAsUgLSzRevAIQrKHqNQPeWRDKvyI~2jukjuROfwTUrmX8BzqPSPR1XF23waj9rjk-RIrvq2IkZq3hujGuK6-S6zwdFk5NP264ZjfTmEjOPhMlX1y9bRctOIqWS1z~oXoT-vF28mOFo63cb3gdsNsjTBKfRGdo5-d50rFCP4oP01L60Fv97JIRD~Vdvsics71MJr-PkIFVXVRleMOtT3T3KG~7kVlosSfEy1410XJZ5qL8SyVHbBSEBeGR6KPTmlgWbjxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dorchester County Public Meetings","date","2025-05-05T23:56:12.673Z","article","Dorchester County Council on May 5 approved a first amendment to the Oak Ridge Landfill development agreement and took procedural action on a proposed repeal of a previous boat/motor tax exemption and the fiscal 2025–26 budget.

Landfill development agreement amendment

The council held the first of two required public hearings under the South Carolina Local Development Agreement Act on a first amendment to the Oak Ridge Landfill development agreement (Dorchester County Ordinance No. 10‑13). County attorneys described the amendment as extending the development rights in the agreement until \"02/1935\" and modifying a portion of the agreement related to estoppel certificates. After the public hearing and comment, the council approved second reading of the amendment and authorized the chairman to execute the first amendment; the council vote was unanimous.

Several members of the public raised concerns about the landfill and potential impacts. Commenters asked whether the amendment would expand the landfill’s footprint; county staff and counsel responded that the amendment, as described, extends the development agreement rights and does not itself expand the landfill — any change in capacity or footprint would require separate regulatory approvals by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES, formerly DHEC). County staff noted Waste Management operates the Oak Ridge facility and that DES regulates the landfill; staff also described the Oak Ridge site as a lined landfill and said host‑fee revenue from out‑of‑county waste is returned to the county. Residents urged ongoing groundwater and environmental monitoring and requested that development agreements include community benefits; one public speaker asked the council to consider stipulations requiring companies to “give back to the community.”

Boat and motor tax ordinance — first reading by title only

Council held a first reading by title only of an ordinance to repeal Dorchester County Ordinance No. 23‑17, which had exempted 42.75 percent of fair market value for certain watercraft and motors pursuant to South Carolina Code Annotated section 12‑37‑220(B)(38). County leadership said the first reading was precautionary: state legislative changes may create unintended effects for counties that previously rolled back boat and motor property taxes in 2023; repealing the local ordinance could avoid an unintended double rollback if the state law is modified. Council completed the first reading by title only and referred the matter as required.

Budget referral and other council business

Council gave first reading by title only and referred the Dorchester County budget ordinance for fiscal 2025–26 to the Budget, Finance & Purchasing Committee and scheduled public hearings (including hearings in St. George). Council also approved, unanimously, a $41,500 budget transfer from personnel savings to furnish the magistrate’s court (cabinets, countertops, filing cabinets and related equipment), and recorded multiple appointments and reappointments to county boards and commissions.

What the actions mean

The Oak Ridge amendment preserves the landfill operator’s development rights under the existing agreement; DES remains the permitting authority for any expansion or operational change. The boat/motor tax repeal remains at first reading and may be withdrawn or changed if the state law is amended; county staff indicated follow‑up work will determine whether further council action is needed. The FY26 budget will proceed through committee review and public hearings before final adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dorchester County Council Meeting 05.05.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dorchester County Council on May 5 approved a first amendment to the Oak Ridge Landfill development agreement, held first reading on a repeal of a local boat/motor tax exemption, and referred the fiscal 2025–26 budget to committee for public hearings.","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},6568797,"Dorchester planning committee backs three land-use changes, including rezoning near Rusty’s Driving School",256,112000,368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193245-cd8aff218da96439421aabfd2cc2266c&start=112&end=368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193245-cd8aff218da96439421aabfd2cc2266c/thumbnail_112000.jpg","/articles/6568797/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Dorchester-planning-committee-backs-three-land-use-changes-including-rezoning-near-Rustys-Driving-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568797-cc297ea1c25ec9747b9335d420e00bc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439984&Signature=Ce9q4q4OxfsQJvXs79WyzXyehjEhdNUCh2Kns0l7LJQVFLVMtCkg4LVabHQ-Lzvu7d1TzLbGa3BV5QckL95Oo9dVeekqhJISQYe1j82I66qrwYopmqjgtBgV1bM4vkOEzbvchr7yDALo-SR0V2-0rchFe8xhoHdU7~T42Ewdkq0wkjPG2ALB6ijWmpJpcxJHK32z9kVDiF-bO7ASgiASZ6Dsvh5wIqZVeAnZU18J1dSrFXSmrftolSINBgJxCghQT1MbtWlTsNPJkD6cvPszE8i12CB8OfINkFNVl~7FOPtV5YNPjV8I4Rgk49eOiAfjehXBOpIjpetxkq13nKtn0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dorchester County’s Planning, Development and Building Committee on May 5 unanimously recommended action on three land-use items, advancing a rezoning request for a lot near Rusty’s Driving School, an amendment to townhouse density standards, and a planning-fee update.

The committee recommended second reading for Rezoning Request No. 930, filed as a request by Filosius Hires to rezone about 1 acre at 507 East Fifth North Street (TMS 138-00-013) in the Somerville area from Transitional Residential (TRM) to Office and Institutional (OI). Planning staff told the committee the parcel currently contains an older house that has been used for Rusty’s Driving School and that OI would permit limited commercial uses while still allowing single-family residential if a buyer chose that use.

The zoning presentation said the OI district is intended for transitional locations where residential structures are used commercially and that more intense future redevelopment would likely require annexation for sewer service. Planning staff told the committee the item had previously gone to the Planning Commission in March, which recommended approval.

Planning staff also presented an amendment to the Dorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards (Ordinance No. 0413, as amended) to align townhouse densities. The change sets townhouse densities in the MUC district to 7.3 units per net acre — the same as the R3 district — and adjusts related off-site connection thresholds from 5 units per acre to 7.3 to keep standards consistent. The county said the goal is to prioritize townhouse development over higher-density multifamily uses within the MUC district. The Planning Commission recommended approval in March; the committee advanced the amendment unanimously.

The committee also advanced an amendment to the county’s planning and zoning fee schedule (Ordinance No. 0413, as amended). The update captures a fiscal-impact-analysis fee that had previously been billed through outside consultants, brings certain miscellaneous conditional-use fees into the schedule, and adds language clarifying that fees do not apply to county-initiated requests. Planning staff described the change as administrative rather than a major fee increase.

Public speakers at the committee meeting questioned aspects of the density change and how it could affect Somerville neighborhoods. Tommy Fagan of 111 Ponderosa Road asked, “OI gives residential? Is allowed residential? I’m sorry?” and county staff confirmed single-family residential is allowed under OI. Resident Linda Haines Wetzel (108 Atlantic Street) urged officials to limit townhouse construction in Somerville, saying, “Don’t you think we have enough townhouses in Somerville? The development is atrocious.” Planning staff responded that the amendment does not change the list of uses already permitted in MUC; rather, it aligns density specifically for townhouse units.

Committee members voted unanimously to recommend the three items for county consideration. The committee vote was recorded as unanimous (3–0) and was reported to the full County Council later in the meeting.","Dorchester County’s Planning, Development and Building Committee on May 5 unanimously recommended action on three land‑use items, advancing a rezoning request for a lot near Rusty’s Driving School, an amendment to townhouse density standards, and a planning‑fee update.",{"_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},6568792,"Water and sewer committee approves sewer for Missouri tract; residents ask for more project details",3812,874000,4686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193245-cd8aff218da96439421aabfd2cc2266c&start=874&end=4686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193245-cd8aff218da96439421aabfd2cc2266c/thumbnail_874000.jpg","/articles/6568792/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Water-and-sewer-committee-approves-sewer-for-Missouri-tract-residents-ask-for-more-project-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568792-1dd027edfc7d89c1e7bfc5e86ed6be94/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439984&Signature=jf9Iog7mKK5VePzyF~Jha3zLKJnjiByFI7Ut6XDixxK7SMqEaf8GzcTb8tB68FJFSR~prBhK10gpk7gHQZBXRKoXXDmtDb1~ox8AllD5LbBJd-rMs0hIIbW8CAc8DwGWdbPMczilBbtcc7VhYT3873OoBND2OcWwiW-ftsnmMY-01pWeWP8aFyogysKWptsEsEfdegfws146UxNeNoyviQY~Vj5DhALSNJel9zmtarbNtlx3r3X1I0VoIXsUl9F3dfs5S0BIe5q8atZrV9EzVodeZyGHKt2d4WzSvQMRqXJ9wcJK7VeNquB7-m0B7cU97dScftsNWtcdXNtW0peUnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dorchester County’s Water and Sewer Committee voted unanimously May 5 to approve new sewer service for Dorchester Commerce LLC’s Missouri tract Phase 1, a project listed near the town of Summerville that the county said will serve two industrial buildings currently zoned mixed-use commercial.

Committee members recorded a unanimous vote to provide sewer service for the Phase 1 parcels (listed as TMS 121-00-00000007). At the Water and Sewer Committee meeting the county described the approval as limited to Phase 1 and said the request was for sewer service for two industrial buildings; committee members said the request was consistent with the parcels’ current mixed‑use commercial zoning.

At the subsequent County Council meeting public commenters asked for more detail about the development. Tommy Fagan, 111 Ponderosa Road, said the information provided to the public packet was thin and asked the county to add more detail about intended uses: “When you see sewer service going in, all you can think is townhouses or crammed in little neighborhoods,” he said, asking officials to provide clearer project descriptions to build public trust.

County staff and committee members described the action as approval of sewer service only and noted the parcels’ current zoning as mixed‑use commercial. The committee vote was recorded as unanimous.

The committee’s recommendation was reported to the full council; the council accepted the committee report later in the meeting. County staff indicated further permits or reviews would be required before building permits or specific land uses could proceed.","Dorchester County’s Water and Sewer Committee unanimously approved sewer service for Dorchester Commerce LLC’s Missouri tract Phase 1 (TMS 121-00-00000007) to serve two industrial buildings. Residents at county council later asked for clearer public information about the project’s intended uses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County council approves amendment extending Oak Ridge Landfill development rights; moves forward on tax repeal first reading and budget referral

Dorchester planning committee backs three land-use changes, including rezoning near Rusty’s Driving School

Water and sewer committee approves sewer for Missouri tract; residents ask for more project details