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 Council members and numerous public speakers said rapid residential development and weak or outdated subdivision standards were straining infrastructure and natural resources across the county.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 infrastructure plans that would support future growth. Opponents cautioned that a broad moratorium could restrict property rights for small landowners and delay building activity for local builders.

Public comments: the public comment period immediately preceding the vote featured more than a dozen residents who urged a pause in large developments and stronger rules. Helen Crowley of Camden said, “Growth does bring money…and with enough money we can build more schools, more fire stations…But can we build fresh water supply?” Mike Burcotte, who identified himself as a resident of eight years, told council he supported a six‑month moratorium while a “coherent action plan” is developed. Barbara Taggie said some large developers were taking advantage of “weak and outdated zoning laws” and urged a moratorium so the county could “gather the facts of this new reality.”

Council debate: Councilman Jones, who introduced the ordinance, argued the Planning Commission had repeatedly said existing subdivision regulations were not protecting county resources and that “time equals muscle” when planning is needed to keep infrastructure from being overwhelmed. Councilman Ben Cato and others pushed for a broader pause that would include minor subdivisions, saying piecemeal approvals were producing density and infrastructure strain countywide. Several members, including Chairman Connell and Councilman Tucker, said they supported stronger rules but worried the proposed countywide pause was too broad and would unduly affect small land owners and local builders.

Amendment and scope: Councilman Ryan Thomason proposed an amendment that was adopted on the floor to include minor subdivisions in the moratorium language while excluding single‑family residential sales and planned development districts (PDDs). The council debated different drafting approaches and whether to narrow the moratorium geographically, and several members warned the technical studies the moratorium envisions could take longer than six months.

Procedural next steps: The ordinance passed first reading as amended. Council scheduled second and third readings under the normal ordinance process; the council indicated it intends to continue work between readings and to refine the draft language before final adoption. Council discussed but did not finalize any immediate funding for the technical studies the ordinance contemplates. The council also noted that any extension beyond the 180 days would require an additional council action.

What’s next for residents: Council members said they expect further draft language and a staff memo between readings to clarify precisely which subdivision activities are paused and what process will apply to allowed activities such as single‑family building on existing lots. The council set no immediate changes to routine building permits for individually owned single‑family homes that are not part of a subdivision process.

Speakers (selected): - Jimmy Jones, Councilman (mover) - Ben Connell, Chairman, Kershaw County Council - Ryan Thomason, Councilman (mover of amendment) - Russell Brazel, Vice chairman, Kershaw County Council - Derek Shoemake, Councilman - Tucker (last name: Tucker), Councilman - Helen Crowley, Camden resident (public comment) - Mike Burcotte, Camden area resident (public comment) - Barbara Taggie, Kershaw County resident (public comment) - Linda Knatzer, Kershaw County resident (public comment) - Lynn Canto, Kershaw County resident (public comment)

Ending: Council members said they expect to continue technical work and public outreach during the weeks before second reading. The council scheduled the next regular meetings and flagged June 17 as the planned third‑reading date for key budget and ordinance business.