[{"_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",6449693,"mediaKeyId","5888248-41f3b497482cabfe815f68ed787f5089","parentId",5888248,"title","Dorchester County Council approves multiple rezonings, zoning text change and new infrastructure spending","audioSeconds",482,"startMs",150000,"endMs",632000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888248-41f3b497482cabfe815f68ed787f5089&start=150&end=632","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888248-41f3b497482cabfe815f68ed787f5089/thumbnail_150000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6449693/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Dorchester-County-Council-approves-multiple-rezonings-zoning-text-change-and-new-infrastructure-spending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449693-514e9e66c565f90aca9de51aa00bed65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770510830&Signature=Jm4RonczsRrS8aoZarVuYqxD1C6eIZrCd0OiUVsjEUZgkd2n9Oe461CSwxbwfqU~U2qrl-5~vbeKa-OcTBwaae5mbmvdooBEphmqtnvBZK6w9CyVJ8~zR-LAsynGQcMup-JUQC73~IxtNaM2tCROHHoYkqX-kJSiq7nQBBXI-d~rvJnW9hPJTPnN7ktB8L4kXJJwBoT4Oyf0u77lu6kevKB3fMJFN6TyUdEiv14b4WBq7CX7fs0KVzxfzY-mbKVgYheBe8sJKCgZQc21e~F8sPjJCT4~Snhk3RBXVK5YgMRRWEadnp58XXQuzwXguqQB~YSgk6oJgI6ZheOUN2ZNfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dorchester County Public Meetings","date","2025-10-06T23:50:34Z","article","Dorchester County Council on Oct. 6 approved three second‑reading rezoning requests, adopted a text amendment to the county land‑development code affecting townhouse lot standards, and approved a series of funding and administrative measures including increased local matches for water projects and an early order for a Type 1 ambulance.

The actions drew limited debate in the chamber and were passed by voice vote or unanimous consent during a meeting that also included public comment on several separate neighborhood issues. The approvals move several development and infrastructure items forward while the council also denied or postponed some rezoning requests after Planning Commission recommendations.

Planning staff summarized the first second‑reading rezoning on the agenda as a request to rezone roughly 1.83 acres along Ladson (Latson) Road from General Commercial (CG) to Single Family Attached Residential (R‑3), noting the lots conform to townhouse minimums and that the Future Land Use Map designates the area Medium‑Density Traditional Neighborhood. Elliot Locklear, the applicant, spoke in favor of the rezoning and told the council that South Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) restrictions would limit curb cuts to right‑in/right‑out access. Resident Tommy Fagan testified in opposition, citing traffic and school funding impacts and summarizing his remarks as “Density. Density. Density.” The council approved the rezoning by voice vote.

Two other rezoning requests received second‑reading approval: a request by Eric Stem to rezone 0.82 acres on Cone Lane from Office and Institutional (OI) to Single‑Family Manufactured Housing (R‑1M), which staff said would align zoning with existing manufactured homes on the street; and a request by Greg Minton to rezone about 3.75 acres at Myers‑Mayo Road and U.S. 78 from Agricultural‑Residential (AR) to General Commercial (CG), where the applicant said the intent may be a gas station. Planning Commission and staff recommended approval for both, and council approved them.

The council also adopted a text amendment to Dorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards Ordinance No. 04‑13 to exempt interior townhouse lots from the ordinance’s maximum lot width‑to‑depth ratio. Planning staff told the council the change corrects a mismatch between modern townhouse lot patterns and standards conceived for traditional rectangular lots; the Planning Commission recommended the amendment.

Votes at a glance

- Rezoning Request No. 934 (Elliot Locklear): CG → R‑3; second reading; passed (motion carried by voice vote; public comments for and against).
- Rezoning Request No. 935 (Eric Stem): OI → R‑1M (114 & 111 Cone Lane); second reading; passed.
- Rezoning Request No. 937 (Greg Minton): AR → CG (Myers‑Mayo Rd & Hwy 78); second reading; passed. Planning and DOT access discussions noted.
- Text amendment to Zoning & Land Development Standards Ordinance No. 04‑13 (Article 20, Sec. 20.1.1): Exempt interior townhouse lots from width‑to‑depth ratio requirement; second reading; passed.
- Resolution No. 25‑15: Increase local match for Stratton Capers waterline replacement (follow‑up to Resolution No. 24‑16); passed. Staff said a $1,000,000 grant required raising the local match to $540,300 after bids.
- Authorization to order one Type 1 ambulance (FY 2027 acquisition; early order to reduce lead time and obtain discount): approved.
- Polk Swamp (Cap 206) aquatic ecosystem restoration additional funding: council approved an increase in local share ($894,871) to match federal cost adjustments.
- Ridgeville Improvement District traffic study: approved $97,840 from general fund balance pending district reimbursement if established.
- Business license ordinance amendment (first reading): updated license class schedule as required by state law; first reading passed.
- Temporary office space for Disabled American Veterans (short‑term use of former Trident Quick Job Center in St. George): approved.
- Water service territory and easement actions: transfers and a 25‑foot sewer easement for Summerville projects were approved; a change order to extend the intercounty waterline using remaining SCIIP grant funds (approx. 9,000 linear feet) was authorized.
- Lease‑purchase resolution for two engine pumpers and second readings for ordinances to expand a joint county industrial park: motions carried as presented.

Why it matters

The rezoning approvals and zoning text amendment reshape development options in parts of the county by permitting townhouse and manufactured‑housing patterns aligned with staff recommendations and the county’s future land use map. The waterline and Polk Swamp funding and the intercounty waterline extension affect county infrastructure, while the early ambulance order responds to long vehicle lead times that affect emergency response capacity.

What council members and staff said

Planning staff described the Ladson Road rezoning as “the existing platted lots meet the townhouse lot size requirements” and said streetscape work on Ladson Road will influence access and traffic patterns. County Administrator Ward briefed council on grant awards and bid results tied to waterline projects.

Remaining items and next steps

Several rezoning requests and code amendments were advanced on first reading and referred to the Planning, Development and Building Committee for public hearing and recommendation. Two first‑reading rezonings were denied following the Planning Commission and staff recommendations—the council recorded motions to deny and did not advance those specific proposals. Several items will return to council for third reading and final action as required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dorchester County Planning, Development & Building Committee & County Council Meeting 10.06.25","oneSentenceSummary","At its Oct. 6 meeting the Dorchester County Council approved several rezoning requests and a zoning text amendment to ease townhouse lot rules, authorized increased local matches for water projects, approved an ambulance pre-order and other administrative items; several first‑reading rezoning referrals and two denials were also recorded.","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},6449684,"Residents press council over alleged problems at unregulated boarding/group homes; county staff point to state and enforcement channels",736,2910000,3646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888248-41f3b497482cabfe815f68ed787f5089&start=2910&end=3646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888248-41f3b497482cabfe815f68ed787f5089/thumbnail_2910000.jpg","/articles/6449684/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Residents-press-council-over-alleged-problems-at-unregulated-boardinggroup-homes-county-staff-point-to-state-and-enforcement-channels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449684-af4a2262c56e6056eb525603f4bf62e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770510830&Signature=e~6KSh~vsT16I~mV1h~tbt5ItF10~CHlUwJxzZK3xpyZVk1m~~H5TnWrc~2fAn7u05kPdXiKjNh9AWgC3CH962q8inZegRIQESpsWgcyqPLBl75tGZ3uTGlib66XW3pXEOlWp8fm3~CLRc~-d9KA32yGbD5gRISH~HYJFYaMt6RR0kjPK7h1g-B8pacpKKdHAq241iUw124KGw4T5Dj9M~hE2jVHkTeE0HRbVePMH~7QQHMGzTvCxj7-SC5nvOLOWazkuF0styh0IxC4AhbGP9Q~KTePLUExg0tkPYBvlvVfdmjPJI7kzsmBp00zSVHhESgk6eP4fmeyU6O3n-j3GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A cluster of residents from Greenhurst and nearby neighborhoods told Dorchester County Council on Oct. 6 they have suffered crime, property damage and nuisance behavior they attribute to occupants of a nearby unregulated boarding or group home. Residents asked the council to intervene; county officials said legal and regulatory limits constrain local action but offered enforcement and state‑agency complaint pathways.

John Cadwell told the council he had gathered more than 100 signatures and said the halfway‑house‑style facility at 120 Waring has had residents “molest little girls, assault women, break into houses” and otherwise created neighborhood problems. Taylor Smith, who said she has lived in the neighborhood her entire life, described a house in such disrepair that occupants “are now crawling out of a window in order to get out,” and said rats and ongoing sanitation problems persist.

Tammy Gambrow, speaking from another nearby address, said an individual had forced entry into her mother’s home twice and that porch thefts and harassment have continued. Bridal Campbell Lee said the local school bus route passes the location and described an incident where children were approached at the fence.

Council and staff responses

Council members and County Administrator Ward acknowledged the complaints but said county options are constrained if a facility is not licensed by the state. Ward and other council members advised residents to report criminal behavior to the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and to file code and nuisance complaints with county codes and zoning staff. One council member recommended contacting the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to trigger a state inspection or complaint; another suggested checking whether the operator holds a county business license, which could be revoked if absent.

Why it matters

Residents assert repeated, ongoing problems that they say are affecting vulnerable neighbors and the safety of children; the council’s comments highlight the legal boundaries between local land‑use enforcement and state licensing or health‑related regulation. Without state licensing requirements for that class of facility, officials said, county remedies are more limited and often must proceed through the courts or the sheriff’s office when criminal acts occur.

Next steps identified by officials

- Residents were urged to call 911 or the Sheriff’s Office to report criminal activity.
- File nuisance and code complaints with Dorchester County Codes and Zoning to trigger inspections.
- Contact DHEC for health or sanitation concerns and to request state review of any unlicensed facility.
- County staff said they will check for required business licensing and review enforcement options if the operator lacks required county permits.

No formal directive or ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; the council said it would pass information to relevant county staff and the sheriff’s office for follow up.","Multiple residents from the Greenhurst neighborhood appealed to Dorchester County Council on Oct. 6 about alleged assaults, property crimes and nuisance behavior linked to an unregulated boarding/group home at 120 Waring; council members and staff advised residents to contact the sheriff, county codes and DHEC and said county authority is limited.",{"_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},6449688,"Neighbors oppose Trinity Construction zoning change; council denies Commercial Light Industrial rezoning request",952,3858000,4810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888248-41f3b497482cabfe815f68ed787f5089&start=3858&end=4810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888248-41f3b497482cabfe815f68ed787f5089/thumbnail_3858000.jpg","/articles/6449688/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Neighbors-oppose-Trinity-Construction-zoning-change-council-denies-Commercial-Light-Industrial-rezoning-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449688-b518bdba4062ca205c1446e2dff1ee71/orig.mp4?Expires=1770510830&Signature=V28yfkF1wf1yXkF6nXRy1ybyAC~m-cELOjppdwk2PapEfcYmMn9EyhIfEOJQulrqYq0o4byCJ4ccZEXIlyDg40PzsqXIwYGYBb7QJdn4~FBIjV4vWV4KzIJcqmD9DQYCyMPcAtZoLu4tM8--zk4EOdp3VXhCY~n39sCS7tjWwwZrJQ32fYV3haP2tnWHdKJWyQGYDuzmZEzl5oRcYZuh7NNpUocoCAisQ-iWDgM~ql5TZvOLTiaxCJY91AzMkzf11G4B1C-KSbGlouEEWcQNB8ybdZIbtI12lxiTwfpdrfp0TgpZGhVE3UaYeGXYyN6PhfZLpnqFJOPWzTAnMQ-bgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents near Butternut Road urged Dorchester County Council on Oct. 6 to deny a rezoning request they say would formalize industrial‑scale concrete crushing and worsen dust, noise and flooding. Council followed the Planning Commission and staff recommendation and denied the rezoning request.

Tammy Hutto, a Butternut Ridge resident, said the neighborhood has suffered from concrete crushing and asphalt stockpiles on a neighboring lot owned or operated by Trinity Construction LLC. “We have schools, elderly, children; we feel like they’re at a health risk,” Hutto said, citing silica dust, noise and “exponential flooding” near the subdivision.

Neighbor Mike Hugge told the council the dust and noise have been recurring, and that silica from crushing concrete is a documented occupational hazard. “We don’t believe it’s in harmony with the existing zone properties around the Trinity Construction lot,” Hugge said, noting nearby uses include residential properties and a school.

Planning staff and the Planning Commission had recommended denial of the rezoning request (Rezoning Request No. 940) from General Commercial (CG) to Commercial Light Industrial (CLI). Council voted to deny first reading of the rezoning following that recommendation.

Why it matters

Neighbors say the current operations harm air quality and residential amenity; silica dust has recognized health risks when airborne and inhaled. The denial preserves the current commercial zoning classification and prevents expansion to a broader set of light industrial uses that would explicitly permit the crushing activity cited by residents.

What council and staff said

Council members noted the Planning Commission and staff recommendation to deny the rezoning and recorded a motion to deny first reading. Planning staff noted that CLI zoning would allow more intensive industrial operations than the surrounding area currently contains.

Next steps

Residents may pursue code‑compliance complaints with county codes staff and environmental complaints with state agencies if they believe unlawful operations or public‑health hazards exist; the council’s denial keeps the property in its present zoning category and would require any applicant seeking industrial operations to pursue different approvals or seek relief through other processes.","Residents of Butternut Ridge told the Dorchester County Council on Oct. 6 they have endured concrete‑crushing operations, dust and increased flooding; council denied a request to rezone a Butternut Road parcel from General Commercial to Commercial Light Industrial following Planning Commission recommendation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dorchester County Council approves multiple rezonings, zoning text change and new infrastructure spending

Residents press council over alleged problems at unregulated boarding/group homes; county staff point to state and enforcement channels

Neighbors oppose Trinity Construction zoning change; council denies Commercial Light Industrial rezoning request