Lancaster County BZA to review updated rules of procedure reflecting recent county ordinances

The Lancaster County Board of Zoning Appeals received a draft of updated rules of procedure that county staff said incorporates two recently adopted county ordinances.

Allison Harden, Lancaster County development services director, told the board staff compared the board’s February 2024 rules and procedures to a county “boards and commissions” ordinance passed in October 2024 and a parliamentary procedure ordinance passed in April 2025. Harden said staff used a template from the South Carolina Association of Counties and added county-specific language and corrections.

Harden asked board members to review the draft ahead of the board’s next meeting and to provide written comments so the board could consider edits and, if satisfied, adopt a final version at a future meeting. She also noted the July meeting will include election of officers and said it would be appropriate to vote on rules and procedures at the same meeting so the board begins the new fiscal year operating under an adopted set of rules.

Harden characterized the document as a working draft and said the redlined copy provided to members includes underlined additions and strike-through deletions tied to the new county code language. She urged board members to return any proposed changes in writing so staff can produce a final draft prior to the next meeting.

No formal vote was taken; the board accepted the draft for review and staff indicated the item will return on the next available agenda for potential adoption.

Why this matters: Updated rules of procedure will govern hearing conduct, notice and appeal procedures, and internal board processes. Adopting the draft alongside officer elections would align procedural rules with recently enacted county ordinances.

What remains: Board members to review the draft, submit written changes, and consider adoption at the next meeting; staff to circulate a final version before the vote.