YORK, S.C. — York County Council accepted the resignation of County Manager Josh Edwards after a lengthy executive session Monday night and named former County Manager Jim Baker to take his place effective Sept. 28.
Edwards was hired in March 2024. Baker served as York County manager from July 2007 until January 2013, when he resigned to become city manager of Chesapeake, Virginia. The vote to accept Edwards’ resignation was not unanimous, as Councilman Watts Huckabee abstained.
Council also voted 6-1 to give second reading to a rezoning that would allow two warehouses on 24.06 acres at Highway 21 and Flint Hill Road, over the objections of neighbors and recommendations for denial from staff and the Planning Commission. Council attached deed restrictions to the ordinance and required a traffic study before the final vote. Separately, council passed second reading of a split zoning ordinance after removing language residents near the QTS data center said would let industrial rules spread without public hearings.
Public forum
Most speakers opposed the Flint Hill Road rezoning, including members and the pastor of Flint Hill Baptist Church, whose cemetery borders the site. They raised concerns about truck traffic on two-lane Flint Hill Road, noise during funerals and youth sports fields across the street. Residents near the QTS site asked council to drop the Chapter 155 split zoning changes and tighten the noise ordinance, saying data center construction runs late into the night. A Flint Hill Elementary School parent asked council to act against the neighboring Silfab plant, where a hydrofluoric acid leak closed the school in March.
Consent agenda
Council approved the consent agenda, including third and final readings of a use table amendment adding trade services to general commercial zoning and several commercial uses to industrial zoning, and of Case 26-15, which rezones 367 parcels in four Fort Mill area townhome communities to RMX-6. Second readings passed for three smaller rezonings on Alexander Love Highway, Porter Road and Ridley Street. Council also approved a $265,000 increase to a Rock Hill utility agreement for the Pennies for Progress Mount Gallant Road project and a $4,170.33 York Electric Cooperative agreement for the Tom Joye Street and St. Paul Church Road intersection.
Calare tax agreement
After a public hearing with no speakers, council unanimously gave final approval to amending the fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with BAC/Calare Rock Hill LLC. The change removes Pallidus Inc., whose semiconductor project did not move forward, and raises the assessment ratio from 4% to the standard 6%.
Split zoning ordinance
Council deleted the proposed changes to Section 155.1246 and limited the ordinance to existing residential split-zoned lots platted before Oct. 5, 2026. Staff said the narrower language lets those owners complete sales without allowing split zoning to spread. Chairwoman Christi Cox confirmed with staff that it changes no property’s zoning. One member questioned whether it offers only a one-time fix. The ordinance passed with at least one member opposed and needs a third reading.
Flint Hill Road warehouse rezoning
Case 26-27 would rezone land owned by Walmart from general commercial to light industrial for applicant SDP Charlotte NNC. The conceptual plan shows buildings of 161,000 and 108,000 square feet. Three parcels facing Highway 21 would stay commercial.
Council voted without opposition to attach two sets of deed restrictions. Walmart’s sale terms bar discount stores, grocery stores, fulfillment centers and uses such as pawn shops and nightclubs. The developer’s covenant bars data centers, manufacturing, shooting ranges, crematories and other light industrial uses and requires loading docks to face inward.
Staff said a 250-foot separation from homes is required but would verify the buffer beside the church. Councilwoman Debi Cloninger said the developer told her it is 250 feet. Councilman Watts Huckabee pressed on traffic, citing roughly 6,100 daily trips. Staff said Flint Hill Road is not slated for widening, though intersection improvements are possible.
Council then required a traffic impact analysis before third reading, with at least one member opposed. Staff said the study could take several months, and members agreed to submit their questions in writing.
Development report
Development Services Manager Josh Reinhardt and Permit Center Administrator Oxana Hullbrook presented the fiscal 2025-26 development report. The county issued 5,614 permits, down from 5,999. Single-family homes made up 93.8% of new dwellings in unincorporated areas, and no multifamily units have been permitted since 2022. Nonresidential valuation more than doubled to over $420 million, driven by QTS. Members asked for data by council district.
Other business
Vice Chairman Tom Audette reported committee approval of board appointments and district grants, including $4,000 for the York County Fall Livestock Show. Tynetta Moore Cathcart recognized local volunteers who supported the Walk for Peace in Rock Hill. Several council members asked staff to report on the data center noise complaints.
Executive session actions
After executive session, council unanimously authorized a consent and release agreement with the city of Rock Hill. It then accepted Edwards’ resignation and named Baker interim manager, with Huckabee abstaining. Council members credited Edwards with leading development of the county’s three-year strategic plan, which one member said is nearly two-thirds implemented, and thanked him for helping with the transition.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
