Kershaw County Council defers proposed rules for private event venues to July 22

Kershaw County Council on Tuesday deferred consideration of a zoning text amendment that would create new categories for event venues, rural event venues and country clubs with guest accommodations, voting to send the proposal back to the Planning Commission for further work and debate.

The measure was introduced as a text amendment to the county's zoning and land development regulations (ZLDR). Planning staff said the code lacks clear rules for modern private event uses such as wedding venues, meditation retreats and small rural conference centers, and asked council to adopt new use definitions and development standards.

Why it matters: council members and several residents raised concerns about allowing commercial activity in rural districts without clearer limits on hours, parking, stormwater and fire-suppression requirements. Council members said they want staff to refine the draft so it protects adjoining landowners, addresses water and sprinkler requirements for large structures, and clarifies whether longstanding, nonconforming venues could expand.

Planning staff summarized the goal as giving regulators tools the code lacks. "We are increasingly seeing inquiries from people who want to come to this area to open up event venues," the planner said, noting the change would create separate use categories rather than trying to fit them under bed-and-breakfast rules.

Council members pressed staff on specifics. "If I currently have a property that's in general development, would I be able to operate a commercial event venue?" asked Councilman Brent Tomlinson, who led the motion to delay. Staff answered that the amendment would specifically list which zoning districts allow each use and that many venues would be subject to conditional use review and development standards, including minimum acreage in rural districts.

Several members warned about creating a de facto commercial shortcut in rural areas and about the cost of meeting commercial building, water and stormwater requirements. "That's a huge expense," said Councilman Ben Brazel, citing the potential need for sprinklers, parking and stormwater infrastructure.

The Planning Commission had recommended approval by a 6-0 vote. After extended discussion and two failed motions to table the matter, the council passed an amendment to defer the item to its July 22 meeting so members can study details and staff can refine the draft.

What's next: The text amendment will be revised by planning staff and returned to the Planning Commission and council. Councilman Tomlinson asked staff to provide clearer examples of how existing venues would be treated and to describe required fire-suppression and parking standards for rural event venues.

Speakers quoted in this article appear in the meeting transcript and included planning staff (Joey), Councilman Brent Tomlinson, Councilman Derek Shoemake, Councilman Jared Tucker and Councilman Jimmy Jones.