Council moves forward with Motorsports Park expansion and rejects rule change
The Council voted to approve the first reading of a rezoning request to support the expansion of the Carolina Motorsports Park, a move intended to help the facility host larger events and potentially develop on-site amenities. Additionally, the Council rejected a proposed amendment to its rules of procedure that would have created a new "public comment follow-up" period after the new business portion of meetings.
5 votes4 passed1 failed2 split
The vote behind the headline
Amendment to Council Rules Regarding Public Comment Follow-up (1st Reading):Council rejected a proposal to add a 10-minute public comment follow-up period to meetings.
Yes 2 · No 5
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How they voted
• Julian Burns · not recorded• Russell Brazell · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Ben Connell · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• David Snodgrass · not recorded• Tom Gardner · not recorded
The meeting video didn't make clear how the members in grey voted; their votes fill in automatically once the county posts the official minutes.
What this was about
Council failed to pass the first reading of an ordinance that would have amended the rules of procedure to include a new public comment follow-up period. The proposed amendment would have allowed members of the public to speak for up to two minutes each, totaling 10 minutes, after the new business portion of the meeting. The sponsor argued that this would increase government transparency and give residents more opportunity to be involved. However, the majority of the Council expressed concerns that the measure was redundant, as a 30-minute public comment period is already provided at the start of each meeting. Opponents also noted that public input provided after a vote has already taken place cannot inform the legislative process on those specific items. The motion failed on a 2-5 vote, with only Jimmy Jones and Russell Brazell supporting the change.
Resolution Honoring Trainer Jonathan Shepard (Resolution):Council recognized legendary horse racing trainer Jonathan Shepard for his significant career achievements and impact on the county.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner
What this was about
The Council unanimously passed a resolution honoring Jonathan Shepard, a renowned horse racing figure who recently retired from his professional training career. Born in England, Shepard arrived in the United States in the 1960s and became a titan of the sport, particularly in steeplechase racing. Throughout his career, he amassed over 1,200 race wins and more than $24 million in purse earnings, setting multiple national records. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1990 and received the prestigious F. Ambrose Clark Award in 2013 for his contributions to the field. Locally, Shepard’s legacy is deeply tied to Kershaw County’s vibrant equine community. The resolution acknowledges his global influence and thanks him for the positive attention and economic value he brought to the region. Council members expressed their appreciation for his humble demeanor and the international prestige he brought to the area’s racing culture.
Rezoning 70 Acres from RD1 to R15 (3rd Reading):Council approved the final reading to rezone approximately 70 acres of land from RD1 to R15.Development
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner
What this was about
The Council unanimously approved the third and final reading of an ordinance to rezone approximately 70 acres of land from RD1 (Rural Development) to R15 (Residential). The measure had previously passed two readings without issue. No public opposition was raised during the meeting, and Council members indicated that the zoning change was straightforward and required no further investigation. This final approval clears the way for the applicant to proceed with their intended use for the property, consistent with the requirements for the R15 classification. The item was presented as part of the routine administrative agenda, and the Council moved quickly to finalize the rezoning to facilitate the owner's development plans.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Intergovernmental Agreement for Planning Services with Town of Bethune (2nd Reading):Council advanced an agreement to provide planning and zoning services to the Town of Bethune.Development
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner
What this was about
Council approved the second reading of an intergovernmental agreement between Kershaw County and the Town of Bethune. Under this contract, the County will provide professional planning and zoning services to the town, which lacks the administrative resources to manage these functions independently. County staff noted that the demand for these services is historically low, with only a few specialized requests occurring over the past five years. Any costs associated with these services that fall outside the standard fee schedule will be covered by the Town of Bethune or the specific applicant involved, ensuring the arrangement remains budget-neutral for county taxpayers. While the measure passed its second reading unanimously, some Council members requested additional information from staff to review before the final third reading.
Rezoning Parcels for Carolina Motorsports Park Expansion (1st Reading):Council approved rezoning 53 acres to General Development to allow for Motorsports Park facility upgrades.DevelopmentParks & rec
Yes 6 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ Julian Burns✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✗ Russell Brazell
What this was about
Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone three parcels totaling 53 acres from RD1 and RD2 to GD (General Development). The land is adjacent to the Carolina Motorsports Park, which was acquired by new owners who have committed to significant facility upgrades. The expansion project includes plans for on-site amenities, such as lodging, to attract larger events and racers to the region. Council members highlighted the potential economic benefits, noting that the park is already a major draw and the upgrades could attract high-tech race car service businesses. While one member, Russell Brazell, voted against the measure, the majority supported the initiative as a boost to the local economy. The planning and zoning commission had previously recommended approval unanimously. Next steps include a second reading and further review of the development plans by the administration.
Amendment to Council Rules Regarding Public Comment Follow-up (1st Reading):Council rejected a proposal to add a 10-minute public comment follow-up period to meetings.
Yes 2 · No 5
▸detailsless
How they voted
• Julian Burns · not recorded• Russell Brazell · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Ben Connell · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• David Snodgrass · not recorded• Tom Gardner · not recorded
The meeting video didn't make clear how the members in grey voted; their votes fill in automatically once the county posts the official minutes.
What this was about
Council failed to pass the first reading of an ordinance that would have amended the rules of procedure to include a new public comment follow-up period. The proposed amendment would have allowed members of the public to speak for up to two minutes each, totaling 10 minutes, after the new business portion of the meeting. The sponsor argued that this would increase government transparency and give residents more opportunity to be involved. However, the majority of the Council expressed concerns that the measure was redundant, as a 30-minute public comment period is already provided at the start of each meeting. Opponents also noted that public input provided after a vote has already taken place cannot inform the legislative process on those specific items. The motion failed on a 2-5 vote, with only Jimmy Jones and Russell Brazell supporting the change.
COVID-19 Status and Vaccine Rollout: Council members and staff discussed the ongoing challenges residents face in securing vaccination appointments, specifically citing difficulties with the federal VAMS scheduling system and the digital divide. County Administrator Vic Carpenter provided an update on mortality rates and rising case numbers, while state Senator Penry Gustafson noted that the county is working toward increased vaccine allocations.
Elgin Pump Station Force Main Bid: Council discussed the bid for the extension of the Elgin 1 pump station, noting that Site Concepts provided the low bid of $410,000. Members sought clarification regarding the significant price difference compared to other bids and confirmed the project is essential for addressing growth and sewer needs in the Highway 1 corridor.
Public comment▸showhide
One email submission from Jeff Maddox was read aloud, which expressed opposition to the Council's previous recommendations regarding health agency guidelines, mask-wearing, and vaccine safety.
Additionally, state Senator Penry Gustafson addressed the Council to provide a legislative update, highlighting her support for the "heartbeat bill," efforts to secure funding for the fire district, and advocacy for increased vaccine distribution to Kershaw County.
Coming up▸showhide
Budget and Goal Setting Workshop: Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at 5:30 PM at the Willard Technology Center.
Community Movie Night: Saturday, February 13, 2021, at Wateree River Veterans Park.
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the meeting's live-stream transcript. The county's official minutes (the verified vote record) will be cross-checked automatically once the county publishes them, often a couple of months later. This is an automated summary written by software (a neural-network summarizer working from the documents above). Rely on the official county record for anything important.
