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Council refers change to subdivision threshold to Planning Commission, seeks 'major vs. minor' clarity
Summary
Council voted unanimously to ask the Planning Commission to consider lowering the threshold that distinguishes major from minor subdivisions, looking to treat subdivisions of six or more homes as "major" for regulatory purposes.
Kershaw County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to refer a proposed change to the subdivision ordinance to the Planning Commission that would redefine a "major" subdivision as six or more homes rather than the current higher threshold.
Councilman Derek Shoemake introduced the referral, explaining that the revision would create a policy option to limit larger-scale development during the county's upcoming moratorium discussions. "What this is an effort to do is to redefine major subdivision with an eye ' on third reading of the moratorium to amend it to only include major subdivisions," Shoemake said.
Why it matters: the referral is part of the county's larger work on a short-term moratorium and development strategy. Lowering the trigger for major subdivision review would subject more small-scale development proposals to higher scrutiny, permitting and possibly a longer review process; supporters argued it is a compromise between permitting small local builders to proceed and slowing large-scale development.
The Planning Commission has 30 days by statute to consider the referral; staff said the commission's regular meeting schedule would allow the matter to return to council by the July 22 meeting for first reading.
Speakers included Councilman Derek Shoemake, Councilman Jimmy Jones and County Administrator Danny DeBose.
