At the February 3, 2025, York County Council meeting, residents voiced concerns about the Silfab solar manufacturing facility, citing safety and zoning violations, while students and agricultural leaders advocated for a new county agricultural arena. The council also debated multiple rezoning requests, including a light industrial expansion for a manufacturing company and a commercial rezoning for a shopping center. Additionally, council members discussed reinstating a family exemption provision to streamline rural zoning and reduce unnecessary rezonings. Key decisions included rezoning approvals with deed restrictions and a deferred vote on an agricultural property rezoning to allow further study. Details on these discussions and decisions follow below.
Meeting Opening and Invocation
- The meeting was called to order.
- Councilmember Tommy Atkins from District 3 led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Forum
The public forum allowed community members to voice concerns and requests. Each speaker was allotted two minutes.
- Silfab Concerns
- Several residents expressed concerns over the Silfab solar cell manufacturing facility, arguing that it poses safety risks due to the presence of hazardous chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid, ammonia, and pure oxygen.
- Residents stated that Silfab’s operation should comply with zoning laws and called for independent legal oversight.
- They urged the council to respect the Board of Zoning Appeals’ (BZA) unanimous decision, which determined that solar cell manufacturing is prohibited in light industrial zones.
- Support for Agricultural Arena
- Multiple students, parents, and agricultural program participants spoke in favor of a proposed York County Agricultural Arena, emphasizing its potential benefits for education, livestock exhibitions, and leadership development.
- The Western York County Agriculture Arena Steering Committee plans to make a formal funding request in May.
- The arena would provide a centralized location for agriculture-related events, benefiting students involved in 4-H, FFA, and other agricultural programs.
- Parks & Recreation Funding
- Scott Kokenauer from Fort Mill suggested that York County’s Parks & Recreation funds should be allocated to support municipal parks instead of solely purchasing new land.
- He advocated for increased budget support for local recreation programs.
Public Hearings on Rezoning Requests
The council reviewed and voted on multiple rezoning requests:
- Rezoning Request for Two Parcels (6.73 Acres) in District 2
- Request: Rezone from Urban Development (UD) and RMX2 to Rural Development (RUD2) to allow the construction of an additional dwelling.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously.
- Rezoning Request for Two Parcels (12 Acres) in District 6
- Request: Rezone from RMX2 to RUD to allow agricultural use.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously.
- Rezoning Request for 1.54 Acres in District 2
- Request: Rezone from UD to RSF3 to allow the subdivision of a single-family lot into two residential lots.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously.
- Rezoning Request for Industrial Development on Wilson Business Parkway
- Request: Rezone 6.77 acres from Light Industrial (LI) to Industrial Development (ID) to accommodate Ognibene North America, a machinery manufacturing company relocating from Charlotte.
- Concerns raised:
- Some residents opposed increasing industrial zoning near schools and homes.
- Others worried about future zoning implications and potential environmental risks.
- Supporters emphasized the job creation and tax revenue benefits.
- The petitioner agreed to deed restrictions limiting certain industrial uses.
- Outcome: Approved with deed restrictions.
- Rezoning Request for a Shopping Center (4.86 Acres) on Highway 21
- Request: Rezone from UD to General Commercial (GC) to allow more retail options.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously.
- Rezoning Request for a 1.26-acre Residential Property on Pike View Road
- Request: Rezone from UD to RMX2 to allow residential development.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously.
Old Business
- Rezoning Request for 3.02 Acres in District 2 (AGC to RUD)
- Some council members expressed concerns about changing Agricultural Conservation (AGC) zoning unnecessarily.
- Outcome: Approved (6-1 vote).
- Rezoning Request for 7 Acres in District 3 (AGC to RUD)
- Councilmember Tommy Atkins advocated for reinstating a family exemption provision that would allow property owners to subdivide land for family members without requiring rezoning.
- Discussion ensued on how zoning modifications could reduce unnecessary rezonings.
- Outcome: Deferred until the first August meeting.
