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Council refers change to subdivision definition—proposal would lower 'major subdivision' threshold to more than five lots
Summary
Council referred a proposal to the planning commission asking it to consider redefining 'major subdivision' as more than five lots, a step council members said would let them target a possible moratorium at larger developments.
Kershaw County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to refer a proposed change in subdivision thresholds to the planning commission. The referral asks the planning commission to consider changing the county code so that a “major subdivision” would be defined as more than five lots (i.e., six or more), instead of the current larger threshold.
Purpose and context Council members said the referral aims to give the council a narrower tool when it considers a possible short-term moratorium on larger subdivisions: by lowering the threshold for what counts as a major subdivision, the council could target the moratorium at larger developments while preserving the ability of very small builders and property owners to create a handful of lots.
Process and timeline - The planning commission will review the referral and has 30 days by statute to act on it; it also has a regularly scheduled meeting before the council’s next meeting on July 22 and staff expects the planning commission to place the matter on that agenda. - Council members said their intent is to have the planning commission’s review completed in time to place the item on the council’s July 22 agenda for first reading if the commission takes it up promptly.
Ending Council members described the referral as a compromise measure intended to preserve small-scale building while giving the county time to pursue a larger framework on development controls.
