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Dorchester County Council adopts proclamations, refers zoning changes, and approves eminent-domain requests; dozens of board appointments made
Summary
Dorchester County Council on April 7 adopted two proclamations and approved a package of routine referrals, appointments and authorizations, including authorizing the use of eminent domain for two parcels if settlement negotiations fail.
Dorchester County Council on April 7 passed a series of routine and policy actions, including unanimous adoption of two proclamations, referrals of zoning ordinance amendments for committee review, approval of temporary office space for a regional service provider, and authorization to pursue eminent domain for two property parcels should negotiations fail.
The council unanimously adopted Proclamation No. 25-05, proclaiming April 2025 as Fair Housing Month, and Proclamation No. 25-06, proclaiming April 2025 as Safe Digging Month in Dorchester County. Councilman Eddie Crosby read the Fair Housing proclamation during the meeting; Councilman Jay Byers read the safe digging proclamation and highlighted the role of South Carolina 811.
On several land-use matters, the council gave first reading and referred items to the Planning, Development and Building Committee for public hearings and recommendations. Those referrals included a rezoning request (Rezoning Request 930) to rezone 1 acre at 507 East Fifth North Street (TMS 138-00-00-0013) from Transitional Residential (TRM) to Office and Institutional (OI); an ordinance amending the Dorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards Ordinance O-4-13 (Article 8, section 8.2.0.7(b)(1) on maximum density and Article 21, section 21.13(c) on off-site streets, rights-of-way and stormwater); and an amendment to Article 5, section 5.7.0.2 (fees and the development review fee account). All three referrals carried on first reading by unanimous vote.
County Administrator Mr. Ford asked the council to approve an adjustment to Saturday operating hours at county convenience centers, shifting Saturdays from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. to 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Staff said traffic peaked before opening and dropped off after midafternoon; the council approved the change unanimously and asked staff to notify the public.
Council also approved temporary office space in the former Dorchester County Health Department building at 500 N. Main for Palmetto Community Action Partnership, which provides services across Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. The council approved a dedication and maintenance application for gates at the Orangeburg development and directed staff to begin the 12-month maintenance warranty period for Twin Peaks Drive, Stars Hollow Way and Riverdale Drive as inspected.
On boards and commissions, the council made multiple appointments and reappointments. The body recommended to the governor that Alexis Artis be appointed to the Dorchester Disabilities and Special Needs Board and reappointed Elizabeth Gore to the Alcohol and Drug Commission. The council reappointed or appointed numerous other local volunteers and officials, including Tony Pope and Skip (Walter) Elliott to economic development roles, Bill Collins to the library board, Hunter Jackson to the Disabilities and Special Needs Board (recommendation to the governor), and Cheryl Graham to the Foster Care Review Board; the full meeting record lists additional appointments, all adopted without recorded opposition except one item noted below.
The council recorded one non-unanimous tally during appointments: the motion related to reappointing Councilman Jay Byers to the Parks and Recreation Commission was recorded as six in favor and one abstention.
County Attorney Frampton presented a first reading of an ordinance approving a first amendment to the Oak Ridge Landfill LLC development agreement (originally entered in 2011) to extend certain terms for 10 years. The council approved first reading and scheduled two public hearings: the first to be advertised for April 21 and a second to be advertised for May, with consideration for third reading at the May 19 meeting.
On behalf of the water and sewer and public works departments, the county attorney’s office requested and the council approved authorizations to use eminent domain if settlement negotiations fail for two parcels identified by TMS numbers: 287-00-00-312 near Poplar Grove (Hollywood) and 145-12-01-024 for a portion of Suburban Lane near Summerville. The transcript records motions, seconds and unanimous approval for both items.
Finally the council approved routine housekeeping items — adoption of the March 17 meeting minutes, several first-reading referrals, and a motion to adjourn — and then adjourned the meeting.
