Council moves to evaluate time limits for RV park occupancy
Following a motion by Councilman Derek Shoemake, the council directed the County Administrator to consult with the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the potential expansion or removal of current three-month occupancy limits for recreational vehicle parks. This initiative aims to accommodate long-term project workers and residents while introducing a formal record-keeping requirement for park operators.
9 votes9 passed
The vote behind the headline
Motion to adjust RV/Camp park occupancy limits:Council directed staff to explore increasing RV park occupancy limits from three months to nine months.Parks & rec
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Russell Brazell
Following a request from Councilman Derek Shoemake, Council directed the County Administrator to work with the Planning and Zoning Commission to revise ZLDR Section 3.3.5. The current code limits RV park occupancy to three months. The proposal seeks to extend this to nine months or remove the limit entirely to accommodate project workers and those building homes. The motion also includes a requirement for park operators to maintain logs for better record-keeping, a measure requested by Planning and Zoning staff. Council members agreed that the current three-month rule is too restrictive and creates challenges for visitors and local businesses.
Adoption of Agenda (including addition of Executive Session):Council unanimously approved the meeting agenda after adding a personnel-related executive session.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Russell Brazell
The meeting began with a procedural vote to adopt the agenda. During the discussion, Vice-Chairman Jimmy Jones requested an amendment to add an executive session to discuss a confidential personnel matter that had just been brought to his attention. He requested that legal counsel, the County Administrator, the Assistant Administrator, and the entire Council be present for the discussion. Councilman Brant Tomlinson seconded the amendment. The agenda was then adopted unanimously as amended. This process is standard for ensuring that Council can address urgent personnel concerns while maintaining compliance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. The executive session was scheduled to take place toward the end of the meeting to ensure that the public and press did not have to wait unnecessarily.
The Council reviewed the official minutes from the June 27, 2023, meeting. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. made the motion to approve the record, and Councilman Derek Shoemake provided the second. Chairwoman Katie Guinn, who was absent during the June 27 meeting, abstained from the vote, resulting in a 6-0 approval. This action serves as the formal record of the previous meeting's proceedings, including the adoption of the budget and various zoning hearings.
Rezone Property on Tickle Hill Road (2nd Reading):Council approved rezoning a 2.58-acre parcel to allow an existing auto repair business to operate.DevelopmentRoads
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe● Sammie Tucker Jr. (recused)
This ordinance rezones approximately 2.58 acres at 2365 Tickle Hill Road (TMS# 299-00-00-060) from R-15 (Low Density Residential) to General Development. The property owner, Terry Coleman, has operated an automotive repair business at this location since 1993. The rezoning brings the long-standing business into compliance with current zoning codes. The Planning and Zoning Commission previously recommended approval in a 6-0 vote. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. recused himself from this vote due to a conflict of interest. Council members noted that the business is an established asset to the community, and the change reflects the reality of the site's historical land use rather than a new development project.
PASSEDFor 6 · Against 0 (S. Tucker recused). The property (TMS# 299-00-00-060) moves from R-15 to General Development to accommodate an existing auto repair business
Rezone Property on Ridgeway Road (2nd Reading):Council approved rezoning 6.3 acres to General Business to permit the construction of a store.DevelopmentRoads
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Russell Brazell
This ordinance rezones 6.3 acres at 2689 Ridgeway Road (TMS# 264-00-00-009) from RD-2 to B-2. The property owners, Irving and Marshall Branham, plan to lease the land to Dollar General. The project has been a subject of community debate, with some residents citing concerns over increased traffic and noise, while others point to the need for a grocery option in a rural area. The applicant presented a 40-year lease and a petition with over 100 signatures of residents in favor. Council members expressed confidence in the developers and emphasized that the store will provide fresh produce and convenience for fixed-income retirees in the area. The ordinance will move to a final third reading for formal adoption.
PASSED (Unanimous). The property (TMS# 264-00-00-009) moves from RD-2 to B-2 for potential retail development
Rezone Property on Kershaw Highway (2nd Reading):Council approved rezoning 46 acres to General Development for the expansion of motorsports facilities.DevelopmentParks & rec
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Russell Brazell
Council approved the second reading to rezone approximately 46 acres at 6332 Kershaw Highway (TMS# 063-00-00-104 and associated parcels) from RD-2 to General Development. The rezoning facilitates the expansion of the adjacent Carolina Motorsports Park. Representatives for the project noted the park's strong track record as a tax revenue generator and its role in regional law enforcement training. No public opposition was voiced against the measure, and Council members praised the owners for being good stewards of the property. The rezoning is intended to allow for cohesive development between the existing park and the newly acquired land.
PASSED (Unanimous). The property (TMS# 063-00-00-104 and others) moves from RD-2 to General Development to support business expansion near the motorsports park
This resolution establishes a Fee-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (FILOT) agreement framework for 'Project Creed,' a proposed 48-megawatt solar energy installation. Economic Development Director Jeff Burgess explained that this resolution acts as an initial step in the project's planning, which still requires a power purchase agreement and an extensive interconnection study - a process expected to take 12 to 18 months. Council members expressed enthusiasm for the project, describing it as 'mailbox money' that provides tax revenue without straining county services like fire, trash, or water. The resolution is part of a standard incentive package designed to attract renewable energy investment to Kershaw County.
PASSED (Unanimous). This resolution establishes a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes (FILOT) agreement framework for a proposed 48-megawatt solar project
Similar to Project Creed, this resolution authorizes a FILOT agreement for 'Project 1802,' a significantly larger 150-megawatt solar development proposed for the Cassett area. Economic Development Director Jeff Burgess confirmed that while the two projects are represented by the same company, they are separate entities on different properties. Council members reiterated their support for the renewable energy investment, emphasizing the potential for revenue generation. The vote was unanimous, signaling the Council's ongoing interest in establishing a framework that makes the county an attractive location for large-scale utility solar projects.
PASSED (Unanimous). This resolution establishes a FILOT agreement framework for a proposed 150-megawatt solar project
Motion to adjust RV/Camp park occupancy limits:Council directed staff to explore increasing RV park occupancy limits from three months to nine months.Parks & rec
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Russell Brazell
Following a request from Councilman Derek Shoemake, Council directed the County Administrator to work with the Planning and Zoning Commission to revise ZLDR Section 3.3.5. The current code limits RV park occupancy to three months. The proposal seeks to extend this to nine months or remove the limit entirely to accommodate project workers and those building homes. The motion also includes a requirement for park operators to maintain logs for better record-keeping, a measure requested by Planning and Zoning staff. Council members agreed that the current three-month rule is too restrictive and creates challenges for visitors and local businesses.
Routine procedural votes (Entering/Exiting Executive Session, Adjournment):Council entered and exited an executive session for personnel matters and formally adjourned the meeting.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Russell Brazell
Council voted to enter executive session at 7:12 p.m. to discuss a confidential personnel matter, reconvening in open session at 7:38 p.m. No votes or actions were taken during the session. The meeting was formally adjourned at 7:50 p.m. after brief closing remarks from Council members regarding upcoming town halls and a waterway cleanup event.
Operation Picnic Table: Local veteran Greg Ooten presented a proposal to install picnic tables, memorial bricks, and military branch seals at Veterans Park. The project would be privately funded, and Council directed staff to review the plan and report back within two weeks.
Public comment▸showhide
Seven speakers addressed the council. Public comments largely centered on the proposed Ridgeway Road retail project, with several residents and property owners expressing support for the convenience and economic benefit it would provide, while others raised concerns about the impact of rezoning and commercial activity on rural areas.
Additionally, the council read an email from a resident regarding his opposition to existing time limits on public comments during meetings.
Coming up▸showhide
Town Hall Meeting: Councilman Derek Shoemake announced a town hall scheduled for August 10 in Elgin to discuss regional growth; location details to be finalized.
Waterway Cleanup: Councilman Brant Tomlinson invited the public to participate in a 1.7-mile waterway cleanup event on July 15, beginning at Veterans Park.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the county's official minutes (the verified vote record) combined with the meeting's live stream (quotes and discussion). 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.
