[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",6568800,"mediaKeyId","3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08","parentId",3193244,"title","Neighbors oppose proposed liquor store; applicant seeks rezoning at Westchester property","audioSeconds",4835,"startMs",205000,"endMs",5040000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08&start=205&end=5040","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08/thumbnail_205000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568800/Chester-County/South-Carolina/Neighbors-oppose-proposed-liquor-store-applicant-seeks-rezoning-at-Westchester-property","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568800-99797927b9ea2b6e37d5cf100ebb0c83/orig.mp4?Expires=1770988804&Signature=AVal8VaFmpVl3O7o~lweWexV97~7x4U-dS21-mhufbwEBUWSDnhHCz5A1RdFoVlPiWfZbVditMZPSoMZ6Jxkq2ew3rjCdgJv64EkRhUnSL~Mmq1~z2sMxMQP0q2C-nE~bTc81bxik3~bhITiOUL~Pi2YHE3uxdtV1oJZcPqRod6BS7l~~-ggd0ykSyLVKlew01Vvz18xfbHqDlyf094EY4ECUb6fH1PaZvjhaRBxYOZJvKRWKTzrw91~OAbm~yHYCbIJkgd2HPYrYLzNB96Om5xS~ymcRSzJID23XjTAkToWMb0cwcUVDyh~op3trZ2WGYMmsss8gVMCBpJmk2cKiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chester County","date","2025-05-06T00:24:11.12Z","article","Multiple residents addressed the council about plans to convert an older storage building on property off Pinkney Road in the Westchester area into a liquor store, raising concerns about traffic, proximity to churches and safety.

Mike Hassells, a part owner of the larger parcel, described family ties to the land and said a now‑vacant storage building dating to the 1970s sits about 100 feet from his property. He told council that heavy truck traffic from U.S. 77/Highway 9 and a nearby four‑lane bridge creates a hazardous approach and that the neighborhood already has churches, a recreation area and a fire/EMS presence.

Susan Castles, who owns acreage adjoining the parcel, said the shared driveway and the area's high speeds — often 55 mph with frequent passing — make the site unsuited for a liquor store and expressed concern for children and emergency response resources.

Applicant Abhishek (Abi) Devgon spoke at the meeting and said he has followed state and local licensing procedures, obtained a retail/beer‑liquor license and undergone a public safety inspection by SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division). Devgon told council he had invested personal funds in building renovations after inspection requirements were raised and asked council to approve the rezoning application.

Planning staff explained the complicating zoning status: the parcel containing the existing Grant’s grocery operates as a continuous nonconforming use under current R‑2 zoning. The storage building sits on the same larger parcel; the applicant requested rezoning of a subdivided 0.75‑acre portion to General Commercial (GC) so the storage building could operate as a separate parcel and house a liquor store. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval (planning commission vote reported 3–1).

Council moved to give first reading to CCMA 25‑16 (rezoning 0.75 acres at 3283 Pinkney Road from R‑2 to GC). The first reading passed by voice vote; at the meeting a subsequent tally indicated the planning‑level votes and discussion would continue with later readings.

Council members did not take a final vote to approve a liquor license at the meeting; licensing and inspections remain administrative processes handled by applicable state and county agencies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chester County Live Stream 5-5-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents near a property on Pinkney Road told Chester County Council they oppose a planned liquor store and cited traffic and safety concerns; the applicant separately received first reading approval to rezone 0.75 acres to allow the new use.","taxTitle","Chester County, South Carolina","taxId",57666,"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},6568802,"Fort Long Community Center describes growing countywide food distribution as needs rise",1228,6003000,7231000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08&start=6003&end=7231","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08/thumbnail_6003000.jpg","/articles/6568802/Chester-County/South-Carolina/Fort-Long-Community-Center-describes-growing-countywide-food-distribution-as-needs-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568802-03d9f6e259a0491b3470d78c471338ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770988804&Signature=IxJwdmBGYDExCZxLA79xdUgqaQ6oAp8qNW0UqlxXTxz-uP5ju3cCsiULP4DPAuk1B9tikxntt7homcAYuB0~6vYJ~9PD-sNhJGkOsz0vcelz0wsbRVHWBswJJ0hYrCiJtMnVz6l~rWsEw5m2qdNbgbUOGAZubBb1dAtgtO8xLYWQX18govNT6iZOcOk-dfve8Bqr4Nb-VaRkjHapKIO9~SKBAkZbQYlp7tgPzlcL06fjCPCO5NO9xQKYEWdWoBrn6AWPNFbbGZEWuOPukYe06q6s-wSwDOONrkiQSgAcCvLBUwGaR-ok-eopHK4fykrWTVajfvOhl4rlik9VtMAFsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Libby Sweat Lambert, executive director of the Fort Long Community Center, told Chester County Council the center and its partners served 2,141 households (about 6,108 individuals) last year through a network of seven distribution sites across the county.

Lambert said the program has expanded rapidly. The countywide distribution operates monthly at sites that include Mount Pleasant Baptist in Richburg, Turning Point in Chester, Westchester Baptist and other churches and community partners. Volunteers — roughly 50 people per monthly operation — pack and deliver boxes; the county and local organizations contributed staff time, volunteers and funding.

Lambert said nearly 56% of the people served last year were age 65 or older and noted research she presented showing 17.9% of Chester County residents live in poverty and 29% of households are “asset limited, income constrained, employed” (people who are working but fragile to a financial shock).

She told council that a planned delivery of 600,000 pounds of meat for Harvest Hope Food Bank partners was canceled, forcing pantries to seek alternate protein sources and prepare to handle large shipments of fresh produce that require quicker distribution and storage. Lambert said the cancellation increases uncertainty about protein availability and may push pantries to rely more on canned goods, beans and nuts.

Lambert asked the council to continue supporting volunteer networks and local partnerships and invited council members and staff to volunteer at upcoming packing events; she also said the center is pursuing grants and regional partnerships to stabilize supply.

Council members thanked Fort Long staff and volunteers and noted the county has supported food programs and related nonprofit partners.","The Fort Long Community Center told Chester County Council that its monthly countywide food distribution and partner sites served more than 2,100 households last year, and organizers warned that canceled meat shipments and cuts to food bank supplies will increase local pressure on pantries and volunteers.",{"_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},6568804,"Chester County Council approves first reading of FY2025–26 budget with no tax increase",2965,2285000,5250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08&start=2285&end=5250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08/thumbnail_2285000.jpg","/articles/6568804/Chester-County/South-Carolina/Chester-County-Council-approves-first-reading-of-FY202526-budget-with-no-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568804-beb526021d5a933c7f4acacfc6791ab2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770988804&Signature=EIAYdCnYO~MfDJK7dLwEnj5mgOqwR~TAu5BzMk5X9MPbVexasQuDJcJJ7wgXdvvHmN~Btxv7UgpAN8qV8ti747-fKufWh70SiJr0l5U8SgEbEZ6lzVDk1VKRHdcqm4-a9yiEgvUNIBtmdi2VSxzXOX2Zadp~BJj13nSfmGdEOI6bln~KG4AZW4pqjCPwsSa9gOonsQy0LKrTpKdJcrOFfgXSHQ~0qkrxYi~OdqFFW70t4cmryOiQ--YFTu2B1ii6qaxuTvEpo27pKmHpxAkSZvSLj0VAf6cUXfN8R3u0KSrHd3JlqXoCCnRT5r6ZJ-MbkMyNgwwf2oDS5KrqJSOpcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chester County Council on first reading approved the fiscal year 2025–26 budget ordinance (Ordinance 2025‑11), a $59,340,818 appropriation that county leaders said contains no county property tax increase.

The budget proposal, presented by County Administrator Brian Hester and Treasurer Tommy Darby, funds salary increases targeted at public safety workers, including a 7% raise for sheriff’s office staff, a 10% increase for detention officers and adjustments that would raise starting salaries for sheriff deputies to $56,325, detention officers to $52,734 and 911 operators to $51,880 (effective January 2026). The general fund portion of the appropriation is $36,767,609.

County leaders said the budget also creates or funds full‑time firefighting and EMS positions across the county: additions include three lieutenants for Great Falls, six county firefighters for the Lando fire district, two paramedics for Westchester to convert a 12‑hour EMS shift into a full‑time unit, and a planned 12‑hour EMS unit at Fort Blanton (Fort Long). The budget includes a fire training/inspector position meant to help departments maintain ISO records and support insurance rating improvements.

Hester and Darby described about $698,000 in net savings found across departments by consolidating positions, changing contract terms, and moving some operating costs to special funds. Examples cited include converting leased copiers to cost‑per‑copy contracts, moving economic development salaries to the fee‑in‑lieu economic development fund, folding the tax collector function into the treasurer’s office, potential detention food‑service contracting, and contracting tourism promotion through the county Chamber of Commerce.

Capital spending proposed in the ordinance totals about $2.2 million funded from bond proceeds, capital reserves and leftover bond balances. Items listed include 10 equipped sheriff vehicles, rural fire equipment, and two ambulances (one already ordered). The administration said it is also examining ways to incorporate recurring capital needs into the operating budget over time rather than relying solely on bonds.

Administrators stressed recruitment and retention were primary drivers of pay increases. Hester and Darby told council members that pay for key public safety positions had risen sharply in recent years; they said the county’s approach has improved recruitment for deputies, detention officers and dispatchers.

Council members asked about details including how Great Falls and other municipalities will receive services tied to county funding and whether EMS contracting had been investigated. Administrators said they had discussed service details with town officials and that contracting for EMS would require further study and a council directive to pursue it.

After discussion, a council member moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 2025‑11; the motion was seconded and the first reading passed by voice vote. The ordinance will return for subsequent readings before final adoption.

The county administration said full budget documents and organizational charts were provided to council members and that workshop discussions had shaped the proposal.","At its May meeting the Chester County Council gave first reading to the fiscal year 2025–26 budget ordinance, a $59.3 million plan that includes pay increases for public safety staff, new full‑time firefighters and EMS positions, capital purchases and efficiency savings while keeping county millage unchanged.",{"_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},6568793,"Votes at a glance: Chester County Council actions on bids, rezoning first readings and consent items",95,5851000,5946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08&start=5851&end=5946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08/thumbnail_5851000.jpg","/articles/6568793/Chester-County/South-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Chester-County-Council-actions-on-bids-rezoning-first-readings-and-consent-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568793-deb83fc82f966101e4640252eb820ee1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770988804&Signature=f5cjmoqywuGszGpdjhgnYfwgNf~TmYaHouIaRu9wpyGsHCNIQW3dbzAnQHR8vhpjVldssjgtNVeYK6gs7xT0GcF8AkPJC0xrX5hYNGA9tmN01qapjMst0ytVzt67-ZGxUmdGJDyF8wbNZ6ixhGatrGWS1fOguN6kzQmFwFXj0~9CYdAm8NYJPuvcrHo4FxYrmpS1YE7G1c4NeI6RZyA3tqwXsjAz0~K0lzvEWkfYcTXawrQdoar7WY4QteBsOd508Afuv91bCreVOwFo-hc5GyKhPVjl~2Oe6ZqRwiuplesmPVSRYbLFOOrCwted74ccJ3-zROAZtHCgRksJhTBs6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chester County Council took a series of routine actions and approvals during its May meeting. The following items were approved by voice vote or roll call as noted:

- Ordinance first reading: Ordinance 2025‑11 (FY2025–26 budget ordinance) — first reading approved (see main budget article for details).

- Rezoning (first reading): CCMA 25‑16 — Abhishek Devgon: rezoning 0.75 acres at 3283 Pinkney Road from R‑2 to General Commercial (GC). First reading approved; planning commission recommended approval 3–1.

- Rezoning (first reading): CCMA 25‑17 — DFI Partners: rezoning approximately 3.02 acres on Cedarhurst Road from ID‑2 (limited industrial) to ID‑3 (general industrial) to accommodate tank storage and an industrial building. Planning commission vote reported 4–0; first reading approved.

- Transportation/roads bids (approved):
• RFP 24‑078.04 — Chester CTC 202051 time/money program, awarded to Lineberg Construction, $498,159.69.
• RFP 24‑078.01 — Chester CTC 202051 time/money phase 1, awarded to Lineberg Construction, $1,697,338.78.
• RFB 2425‑30 — Chester CTC 202051 resurfacing (9 roads), awarded to King Asphalt, $1,024,626.21.
• Reimbursement to Roads Department for road and sign materials — $21,676.66 approved.

- Consent agenda (approved): Third readings listed on the consent agenda were approved together: Ordinance 2025‑10 (third reading) and CCMA 25‑13, CCMA 25‑14, CCMA 25‑15 (third readings) per the consent motion.

- Other: Council approved accepting ownership of a petitioned street (action from Transportation Committee) and several individual transportation committee items as presented.

Most routine approvals were passed by voice vote; the council recorded the planning commission recommendations where applicable. No final rezoning ordinances or administrative liquor licenses were finalized at the meeting; rezoning items require additional council readings before final passage.","At its May meeting the Chester County Council approved multiple transportation contracts, consent‑agenda items and two rezoning first readings. The council also approved the consent agenda and several road and resurfacing bids; details and dollar amounts are listed below.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568798,"Resident urges county action on persistent runoff that floods backyard near courthouse hill",142,634000,776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08&start=634&end=776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193244-7343fcd586c52adebdd2c0cec328aa08/thumbnail_634000.jpg","/articles/6568798/Chester-County/South-Carolina/Resident-urges-county-action-on-persistent-runoff-that-floods-backyard-near-courthouse-hill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568798-8bf0f2a995fffa06db65542ca449567a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770988804&Signature=oXWEBh0dGlh6UFHo4-6cWk9gqL37eU0oRwAQExZ35WODweswP8fJy61z8Jc~FzXwGvTf0NDXuZB6Tb43lLwzrXoTijSzBdWDfoUmFxn0ehVGCyKnDeyzedU3RPAzmNbzP2kmEi29z165iy96GHeNE62jocYlKVcxMh0YpnGvrSm49B7IROcRt9Xh~Nk1A-2YAQJdvjpg4pUWi6nIXqNWcnrFOYa1uVa4K5e1q7MXR~-5hQWA~zkOlQfofI4ZP~pZ~XWzypkPLgHCzqqf30HFOMdByh4WlFoyn6-RzrgoKxAK2KHMHM3fMpzTGc7fkvwVe6S1wHQ77V2vY35Fu2zY8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Yvonne Hughes told Chester County Council she has experienced persistent drainage and runoff problems at her property at 134 Wiley Street since purchasing it in January 2012.

Hughes said water flows from the top of the hill behind the courthouse and runs into roughly half of her backyard, leaving it a muddy mess that prevents normal use. She described a fence that has been down for months, animals getting into the yard and past communications with county staff that included promises of a drainage feature that was not installed because of funding limitations.

Hughes said she has documentation, photos and records of prior conversations with county staff and requested that the county repair the damages and address the drainage problem; she offered to share phone records and photos with officials.

County staff present acknowledged prior meetings and follow‑ups; council did not take immediate action during public comment but invited Hughes to provide her documentation to the county administrator and staff for review and follow up.","A Chester resident told council that water runoff from a hill behind the courthouse has repeatedly flooded her property since she bought it in 2012 and asked the county to fix drainage and fence damage; she said past promises and a proposed drainage solution were not implemented.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Neighbors oppose proposed liquor store; applicant seeks rezoning at Westchester property

Fort Long Community Center describes growing countywide food distribution as needs rise

Chester County Council approves first reading of FY2025–26 budget with no tax increase

Votes at a glance: Chester County Council actions on bids, rezoning first readings and consent items

Resident urges county action on persistent runoff that floods backyard near courthouse hill