Kershaw County Council approves 180‑day moratorium on many subdivision approvals

KAMDEN, S.C. — Kershaw County Council on Tuesday approved first reading of an ordinance imposing a 180‑day moratorium on many subdivision approvals, adopting an amendment to extend the pause to certain minor subdivisions while exempting single‑family residences and planned development districts.

The measure, placed on the agenda after a large public comment period about growth, passed first reading by a 5‑2 vote. Councilman Jimmy Jones introduced the ordinance; Councilman Russell Brazel seconded it. The council voted in favor: Councilmen Derek Shoemake, Russell Brazel, Ben Cato, Ryan Thomason and Jimmy Jones. Councilmen Tucker and Chairman Ben Connell voted no.

The Planning and Zoning Commission had requested a pause and sent a recommendation to council. Council members and numerous public speakers said rapid residential development and weak or outdated subdivision standards were straining infrastructure and natural resources across the county.

Why it matters: advocates and some commissioners said a temporary halt will allow staff and the Planning Commission to complete a targeted review of the county’s subdivision standards and related parts of the Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR), and to consider capital‑improvement and…