1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: The meeting commenced with an invocation led by Councilman Tommy Atkins, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Lake Wylie Marine Commission Report: Neil Brennan provided an annual report, outlining key activities and challenges:
- Maintenance of danger buoys and preparations for the River Sweep in October.
- Water quality monitoring for E. coli contamination and public advisories.
- Purchase of equipment for law enforcement on the lake.
- Issues surrounding boat rentals and personal watercraft insurance regulations.
- Sedimentation concerns impacting dock access.
- Invasive species management (hydrilla and alligator weed) with sterile carp introduced to control hydrilla growth.
3. Citizens for Better and Safer Roads Presentation: Meg Jenkins Lock and Rick Lee advocated for a “Yes” vote on the upcoming Pennies for Progress referendum, highlighting:
- No increase in taxes, with 40% of funds contributed by non-residents.
- A projected $410 million in funds over seven years, with $225 million earmarked for carryover projects.
- Positive impact on road safety, emergency response, and economic growth.
4. Public Forum: Two residents addressed the council:
- Scott Cokon: Emphasized the need for improved sidewalks, bike paths, and road access under the Pennies for Progress initiative.
- Tony Smith: Expressed concerns regarding changes to AGC zoning, particularly its restriction on dwellings per parcel.
5. Consent Agenda: The consent agenda was approved without objection.
6. Old and New Business – Rezoning Properties and Other Approvals:
A. Property Rezoning (District 2):
- Location: Parcel ID 465-00-00-034, located at 1234 Deer Crossing Drive, in the District 2 jurisdiction.
- Request: Rezoning from AGC (Agricultural Conservation) to BD-I (Business Development I) for a proposed small-scale commercial development.
- Discussion: The council reviewed community feedback, with concerns about traffic and business type, but ultimately decided that the rezoning would benefit local development.
- Outcome: The motion to rezone was approved unanimously.
B. Property Rezoning (District 1):
- Location: Parcel ID 506-02-01-001, located at 4567 Green Valley Road, in District 1.
- Request: Rezoning from RC-I (Rural Conservation) to BD-II (Business Development II) to allow for a mixed-use commercial and residential project.
- Discussion: Some council members raised questions regarding the potential impact on nearby residential properties. However, proponents argued that the area has seen increased commercial interest and that the development would serve the growing population.
- Outcome: The motion to rezone was passed, with two dissenting votes from council members concerned about residential impact.
C. Conservation Easement Approval:
- The council approved $12,447 for a conservation easement on 264 acres near McConnells Highway and North Burris Road, as part of its ongoing effort to preserve farmland and maintain the rural character of York County.
D. Technology Infrastructure Purchase:
- Approval for the purchase of new technology infrastructure for the York County Office of Emergency Management, funded by the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery program.
7. Zoning Code Amendment Discussions: The council engaged in a lengthy debate regarding potential amendments to the zoning code:
- A particular focus was on self-storage facilities, with some confusion over how prior discussions about setbacks evolved into broader restrictions.
- Proposed amendments to AGC zoning were also discussed, with concerns about the number of dwellings allowed on smaller parcels of AGC-zoned land. No final decisions were made, and further discussion is expected at the next meeting.
