Jasper County Council approves rezoning and development agreement for Pine Level sand mine amid strong public opposition

JASPER COUNTY — Jasper County Council voted to approve a rezoning and development agreement that would allow Harris Pine Level LLC to pursue a 58-acre permitted mining operation near the intersection of Heritage Road (Highway 3) and Pine Level Church Road.

Residents filled the public comment period to oppose the plan, alleging long-term noise, dust, groundwater risk, and road damage if heavy truck traffic begins. John Holloway of the Graves community asked the council "please do not approve this rezoning request," saying it conflicts with the county comprehensive plan and the zoning ordinance. Nancy Wakehurst cited a letter associated with the South Carolina Environmental Law Project and told the council she believes rezoning rural preservation land for resource extraction would be unlawful and contrary to the county plan.

Lisa Wagner, presenting the development agreement, said changes made after earlier hearings include added holiday closures, a required 250-foot vegetative buffer from roads, a reclamation bond and an escrow fund intended to pay for pavement repairs. Wagner described operational standards in the agreement covering hours (6 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays and specified holidays), processing and drying procedures, stormwater and groundwater reclamation planning, and limits on equipment height and berm configuration.

Grant McClure, South Coast office director for the Coastal Conservation League, urged the council to "stick with your comprehensive plan" and argued the application raised a strong case for illegal spot zoning because it benefits a single landowner at the expense of surrounding property owners.

Council members debated trade-offs. Several said sand is necessary for ongoing development and infrastructure projects, while others stressed the community's rural character and the legal risks flagged by commenters. After a motion to disapprove failed for lack of a second, council moved to approve the ordinance and development agreement; the motion carried by voice vote with at least one member recorded in opposition.

The development agreement does not itself authorize mining to begin, Wagner said; the operator must still obtain a mining permit from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services and meet county land-development permit requirements and all state and federal statutes and regulations before operations may start. The agreement includes a site plan and a traffic plan prepared by Davison Floyd that indicates access will be on Pine Level Church Road and estimates 75–85 truck trips per day with concentrated AM and PM peak movements.

Opponents warned approval could set a precedent and prompt additional rezoning requests on adjacent acreage. The Coastal Conservation League and other commenters said they may pursue legal review. Council did not announce next steps beyond the approvals and the existing state permitting process.

The council also added conditions in the agreement intended to limit impacts, including an escrow amount tied to a pavement repair schedule and a reclamation bond requirement. The record shows the planning commission reviewed the application and recommended denial; council overrode that recommendation in its vote.

The county chair indicated that additional state permits and technical reviews remain required before any mining activity can begin.