Council forms ad hoc 'smart growth' ZLDR rewrite committee to draft zoning rewrite after comprehensive plan

Kershaw County Council voted Aug. 12 to form an ad hoc smart‑growth rewrite committee to prepare the first draft of a comprehensive rewrite of the county’s Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR) after the anticipated adoption of the county’s comprehensive plan.

Councilman Derek Shumake said the rewrite is the next logical step after the comprehensive plan, noting rapid county growth and the need to modernize a 300‑plus page zoning code that governs everything from shed setbacks to event venues. The committee, as approved, will include two county‑council members, one planning commission member and four public members recommended to the chair; the chair will appoint members and consult with council on public appointments.

Shumake and multiple councilmembers described the committee as a mechanism to keep council directly engaged in drafting the code so that the elected body — which answers to voters — shapes the first draft. Chair used his appointment authority to name Councilman Shoemake as committee chair and Brett Thomason as the second council representative; public appointments will be made after follow‑up with council and stakeholders.

The motion passed unanimously. Council directed staff to post the committee document included in the agenda packet and to coordinate the first meetings and a timeline for draft delivery.