[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6540506,"mediaKeyId","3407206-6678e93adf3d544a20874373935e5ef5","parentId",3407206,"title","Council advances zoning changes: taller data‑center heights approved for first reading; age‑restricted rezoning approved on second reading","audioSeconds",599,"startMs",9270000,"endMs",9869000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407206-6678e93adf3d544a20874373935e5ef5&start=9270&end=9869","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407206-6678e93adf3d544a20874373935e5ef5/thumbnail_9270000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6540506/York-County/South-Carolina/Council-advances-zoning-changes-taller-datacenter-heights-approved-for-first-reading-agerestricted-rezoning-approved-on-second-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540506-bdc0082f92487df07dbf6cbf4216729a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773539372&Signature=H3KKLcUlI1xn1LL-RobNqVCDeXW~7LIvDH-hU8-WTEUvlQEtV1qO8U2BJfzBD5oOg21Xy7LgsQ7N5qCH8T~UDdgZjsdxBTOsl7hTt9CNHotjqJxcliZ4KstNPz7PL32h3h4ZeIJAYHROfBrhhGjjXWypDStUruyBz3P1Ldp5YnUqoOOA9X5DcypF-R0dRAr15CdOgPO9QD5mVcfE0ZDCATtHrNmhKfs45ywt7SE7TyeSW-QCB8GpVhx8ZO7GxEmT4pCd4u8hGIRjyyU24B4saIj~dzTfgnLfPekED1w6Yp0DwzSRhkNDcJN5vuBQqaxomLD3d8tSaKveiwQiQ5GKdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","York County SC","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","York County Council advanced two zoning items on May 19: a first reading to allow increased building height for data‑center uses in industrial zoning (with larger rear and side setbacks) and a second reading approval of Rezoning Case 25‑09 with deed restriction conditions.

On the data‑center ordinance, the council approved first reading after the planning commission and planning committee review recommended a targeted change limited to data‑center uses. The ordinance as introduced increases the maximum height allowed for data‑center uses provided that rear and side setbacks are increased; the council noted a public hearing will be scheduled for later consideration.

Separately, council considered Case 25‑09 (tax map number 648000009 and related parcels), a rezoning request to change 14.06 acres from RUD to RMX. Council approved second reading with a condition that a deed restriction limiting use to age‑restricted single‑family homes be recorded in the York County Register of Deeds within 90 days of zoning approval. The applicant requested an alternative — recording deed restrictions per lot — and was advised that the applicant and staff should work with the county attorney’s office to refine the proposed deed restriction for third reading.

Council members discussed whether the data‑center height change should be broader (apply to all industrial uses) but ultimately left the narrower, data‑center‑only approach for the planning commission recommendation. The council also noted the rezoning condition can be amended at third reading if the applicant and staff reach agreement about per‑lot recording.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","York County Council Meeting May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved first reading of an ordinance to raise maximum permitted height for data‑center uses in industrial zones (with increased setbacks) and approved second reading of a residential rezoning (Case 25‑09) with a deed restriction requiring age‑restricted single‑family homes to be recorded within 90 days.","taxTitle","York County, South Carolina","taxId",5759,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540512,"York County awards $4.786 million contract to build coroner’s facility",0,9105000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407206-6678e93adf3d544a20874373935e5ef5&start=9105&end=9105","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407206-6678e93adf3d544a20874373935e5ef5/thumbnail_9105000.jpg","/articles/6540512/York-County/South-Carolina/York-County-awards-4786-million-contract-to-build-coroners-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540512-a4e6d7514eaef90e115dd53d77e1b5be/orig.mp4?Expires=1773539372&Signature=hopAzS4~JF1gpXsJBFP-~htNjSK5LDC3c4uZKg~S8DhUNwI5LuzK5O9Syqn6CxJMS8Z8rqP8BdgtWhuff6gR9xJ6O2vX4fS6XB8Ee6hFybgsyo6x~xmahe9NW2QiZRdQQx1g-VB-Px9gxGO--VwZi-B7Pwm2CO-o24imbAY-mZ0fumrOM0isG4FhTI~yscBo5ISr-MFgbow5HZld1v~AD6q9PLE8fJqe0-I0lQydiVN7FTA0~~IpG2dB3QGl7~QFkANc1H55wiE6RlIOEUTN0Mo8WLb-7gvhw4tGdb96QEbrfKdCzwdO320nTZLMWaTRzFT3n5g77ntut2ghcC7Swg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","York County Council voted to award the construction contract for a new coroner’s facility to J & B Services LLC of Danville, Alabama, at a total contract price of $4,786,487.01.

At the May 19 meeting the manager described the procurement as coming in below the budget estimate and recommended awarding the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Council approved the award without recorded opposition.

Council did not amend the project scope during the award vote. The county will proceed with contract execution and move forward to schedule construction milestones; staff did not provide a detailed construction timeline at the meeting.

The contract award was described by staff as consistent with the bid specifications (Bid No. 2963). County staff will return with project management details, including schedule and any requested change‑order procedures, at a later meeting.","Council awarded bid number 2963 for construction of a new coroner’s facility to J & B Services LLC of Danville, Ala., for $4,786,487.01; the contract came in under the budgeted amount, council said.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540515,"York County council approves 2025-26 budget after heated debate over recreation tax and program funding",6519,2437000,8956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407206-6678e93adf3d544a20874373935e5ef5&start=2437&end=8956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407206-6678e93adf3d544a20874373935e5ef5/thumbnail_2437000.jpg","/articles/6540515/York-County/South-Carolina/York-County-council-approves-2025-26-budget-after-heated-debate-over-recreation-tax-and-program-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540515-f0dfc1efd9ce92f9f9a4b474e028d44e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773539373&Signature=j~Rci0qAKI4FjQpakABYRT-OhXy6y9~3v2Ma9g4IFtcmy3pQw2xk4evX7KM1KJVb09K8n5zCFYHDi7q93GIUbJF1omPYfta9IzvDEAnbR4fP7hL8xplame5hwpi1pTmWAUIa2TeNefzEjpcq1OGP0111hTHLmM5OfN8I43mzJeWitECdgsHXwuJILVal1fbC---mJdAZ5BBmnOS1PvB7ULbaBm6j1gAX91ERh5uDSNYVIeAaLADcIyPbTdGGAjRTgLUQUcp0qoc9LL12LVXIuR~3yLYpUv~Y5Vu52suPRWTEdZmSfFuVExelY5I~r75VI50NJatQVu4MOIj~UaJRag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","York County Council approved second reading of the county’s fiscal year operating and capital budget on May 19 after a prolonged debate about recreation funding, staffing and county priorities.

The council also voted to abolish the York County Recreation Tax District, removing the 1.5‑mill recreation tax applied only to unincorporated residents and replacing the program with a proposed countywide funding mechanism to be implemented later in the budget process. The ordinance to abolish the special tax district was adopted on second reading at the meeting; council members discussed implementation details and directed staff to work with municipal leaders on an alternative distribution and access plan.

Budget debate focused on whether to retain the 1.5 mills levied on unincorporated properties that had historically been distributed to municipalities for active recreation. Proponents said the tax funded programs for unincorporated residents to access municipal recreation and senior services; opponents said the allocation lacked transparency and measurable participation data. Council members gave repeated examples of municipal capital projects — including recent, large investments in Rock Hill parks — as part of the discussion.

The council considered and voted on numerous amendments during second reading. Notable outcomes and items added or directed to staff included:
- The council rejected an amendment to reinsert the 1.5‑mill unincorporated rec tax into the budget (amendment failed).
- Council approved several targeted funding requests only after staff were asked to analyze potential offsets: requests included partial increases for community nonprofits and a review of staffing requests. Members asked staff to return with funding sources and budget offsets before any added expenditures are finalized.
- An amendment reallocating $60,000 from H‑tax allocations to fund construction of the Nanny’s Mountain master plan passed; the motion specified adjusting millage rates tied to Lake Wylie recreation allocations to keep the change revenue neutral.

Highlights from the meeting’s discussion: members emphasized the county’s long‑term needs — staffing, capital projects and maintenance — while expressing reluctance to increase taxes. Multiple council members said they would not support any tax increases unless unavoidable. The county manager briefed council on the strategic plan and the need to fill organizational gaps; he said some requested positions were intended to centralize capital project management.

Several nonprofit requests were raised at the meeting (Keystone, Safe Passage, and Catawba Mental Health) and council members asked staff to return at a later date with options for partial funding that would not increase the overall levy until the committee and staff identified offsets.

On the recreation tax, the council directed staff to convene municipal recreation directors and city managers to develop an access and allocation plan for residents. The council’s intent, members said, is to ensure unincorporated residents retain access to municipal recreation services while improving accountability for how funds are distributed. If necessary, council members said they will revisit the matter at a future meeting.","After hours of debate and multiple amendments, York County Council approved second reading of the fiscal year 2025‑26 operating and capital budget 4–3 and voted to abolish the county Recreation Tax District, prompting a countywide funding change for parks and recreation.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540520,"Residents urge York County to revoke Silfab permits, cite hazardous chemicals and proximity to schools",1802,543000,2345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407206-6678e93adf3d544a20874373935e5ef5&start=543&end=2345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407206-6678e93adf3d544a20874373935e5ef5/thumbnail_543000.jpg","/articles/6540520/York-County/South-Carolina/Residents-urge-York-County-to-revoke-Silfab-permits-cite-hazardous-chemicals-and-proximity-to-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540520-653e5d846f1027c4b6e477ca999caa74/orig.mp4?Expires=1773539373&Signature=YSo16uoEsh2q3LspWFqMhLKWBxcdq1pJhqOLCTtltqPJ8GKrwGZm7Sx7LwHvZntDONcoazul0cCh~AzPxIZ048X7i7ym2U-dCYYfr9Luz-f31av-RKd-W3okPyR1fUBsHPvbUZAj8DTbsIcRZuvzzeLkFAwQTnAHWZd30IyEonpt6o2kXMjQYBsiEpHCwbdO4lMBo7BmCzHJ-dhIS8cqRSgrxKml01lMSQkkYNeao3IP~fMbaj9qupscov05T35iBSCAoO~8Ydu8iJP-MgZHaXLu7HFFdafgzcGUHu8ZDRlUuiTIX9absZqSrlUgny2~hVoR7HcJtstg6xMtwwhdxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Fort Mill residents urged York County Council on May 19 to rescind permits and approvals for a Silfab Solar manufacturing site they say operates as heavy industrial chemical manufacturing next to Flint Hill Elementary and Middle schools.

Speakers told the council the facility stores and uses hazardous chemicals, operates water and wastewater treatment for manufacturing use and has built or expanded multiple structures that they say are not allowed in a light industrial zone. Several presenters pointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals’ unanimous decision classifying the operation as heavy industrial and cited York County ordinance 155.1239, which they said allows revocation of permits issued in error or procured by materially incorrect information.

The issue drew repeated, emotional public comment. “Light industrial does not include hazardous material treatment or storage,” said Lana Vivant, who identified her address in Fort Mill. She and other speakers said Silfab’s permit applications, air dispersion modeling inputs and risk management plan understate potential off‑site impacts. Brandon McCluskey cited a Phase 2 report from the USC Arnold School of Public Health that, he said, expands worst‑case release radii for hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids to miles and would affect parts of York and Mecklenburg counties.

Other residents presented similar concerns about toxic chemical volumes and proximity to children. Jennifer Williams, who said she lives about a mile from the site, told council members Silfab plans to “manufacture, not just assemble, solar cells,” use “bulk quantities of regulated hazardous chemicals and gases,” and treat about 1,000,000 gallons of water a day with on‑site treatment before pumping water back to Rock Hill.

Speakers asked the council to use county authority under ordinance 155.1239 to revoke permits and approvals they said were issued based on incomplete or incorrect information. Several residents also asked the council to audit the fee‑in‑lieu‑of‑tax (FILOT) grant associated with the project; one speaker referred to a roughly $2,000,000 development grant described in public comment.

Council staff told the room that York County has been named as a defendant in litigation tied to the matter and that the county’s attorneys have advised against public comment while cases are pending. The chair reiterated that the county will rely on legal counsel and noted the zoning issues are also before South Carolina circuit court.

Council discussion at the meeting did not include a vote to revoke permits. After public comment concluded, the council moved on to the consent agenda and other business. Later, while in executive session, the council authorized a press release on the Silfab matter and voted to authorize the county manager and council chair to issue that release.

The county attorney, council members and staff did not offer a timetable for any administrative revocation; several council members asked staff to compile the documents presented by residents and to return with them for discussion at a future meeting.","Dozens of Fort Mill residents told York County Council they believe permits and approvals for Silfab Solar should be revoked after the Board of Zoning Appeals classified the operation as heavy industrial; speakers cited hazardous chemicals, large on‑site water use and pending lawsuits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council advances zoning changes: taller data‑center heights approved for first reading; age‑restricted rezoning approved on second reading

York County awards $4.786 million contract to build coroner’s facility

York County council approves 2025-26 budget after heated debate over recreation tax and program funding

Residents urge York County to revoke Silfab permits, cite hazardous chemicals and proximity to schools