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Residents urge county to pause Silfab construction, citing safety and permit concerns
Summary
Public commenters told York County Council that the Silfab solar facility near homes and schools presents high‑hazard fire risk and alleged the company built under an invalid permit; speakers asked the county to pause approvals while lawsuits and investigations proceed.
Two residents used the public‑comment period to press York County to halt approvals and construction at the Silfab solar site pending legal and permitting review.
Frank Jernak, a Fort Mill resident and retired engineer, said a whistleblower lawsuit alleges Silfab 'operate[d] without an occupancy permit' and that the fire marshal shut the site down; he warned council that "inaction is not neutral" if public safety is endangered and urged the council to pause all approvals, permits and incentives while litigation proceeds. Lana Vivant, another resident, told the council that the zoning verification letter relied upon by the developer did not grant development rights and said the county had issued new permits shortly after a Board of Zoning Appeals decision dated May 9, 2024. Vivant referenced Sherman v. Rivas as a decision that can void permits issued in violation of zoning.
Council did not take immediate action during public comment; the chair thanked the speakers and reminded those seeking regulatory remedies that public‑hearing items addressing related matters would come up later in the meeting. No county staff rebuttal or detailed legal response was recorded in the public comment segment.
Next steps: The matters raised were formal public comments; any enforcement or permitting follow‑up would be handled by county staff and legal counsel through the appropriate administrative or legal channels.
