KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — As growth and development concerns mount in Kershaw County, a proposed amendment from the County Council to change the minimum lot sizes required for residential housing has failed to gain approval from the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Residents like Lynne Contco expressed worries about the rapid pace of development, saying, "I do... I'm not trying to tell people what to do with their houses, but I do think putting things too close together, we're starting to look more like a city city and we're no longer that town feel we had,".
At a recent Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, residents urged the committee to support the new amendment, which aims to address minimum lot sizes.
However, the proposal was previously tabled, prompting concerns from residents like Ted Brunson, who emphasized the importance of responsible growth.
"You can't stop growth, but I think there is a better way to do it," Brunson said.
"Back in August of last year, we had our first density change, where, we went to a county-wide 15,000 square-foot lot size for family housing and now there is an effort to go one step further and make it 1/2 acre minimum lot size for all single-family residential development in the county," said Joey Adams-Rackowski, Planning and Zoning Director.
After a lengthy debate, the motion to send a favorable recommendation to the County Council failed with a vote of 3-2, resulting in an unfavorable recommendation.
This outcome left Brunson frustrated but optimistic as the proposal will head to the County Council next week, "You just keep moving forward. We've got plenty of momentum and plenty of energy. We can take a setback or a slight disappointment, but that doesn't mean as a community that we need to quit."
The first reading of the proposal will face the County Council on Tuesday, April 23rd, at 6:30 PM at the Kershaw County Government Center.