County Council considers new impact fee for Fort Mill

YORK, SC - York County Council met on March third and March 17 . In addition to continued opposition to Silfab, rezoning matters, and general expenditure approval, the council heard both a first and second reading of a new Impact Fee to be imposed on new builds in the Fort Mill School District.
Fort Mill was the first district in York County to have an Impact Fee. That fee was $2500 on each new home or apartment, and was enacted in 1996. In 2018, that amount was increased to $18,158. On March third, an increase to $29, 640 for single family homes and $20, 796 per unit for multi-family dwellings was proposed and approved. The second reading of the Ordinance was approved on March 17. (Editor’s note: The fee was approved at the third reading on April seventh and was effective on any new permits applied for on April eighth.)
Fort Mill and Clover are the only districts in York to impose an impact fee, and the Clover School District’s impact fees are currently $4000 for single-family residences, $1976 per each unit in a multi-family development, including town homes, and $2618 per mobile home. These fees became effective January 15, 2021.
According to the South Carolina Code of Laws, impact fees are required to be updated and reviewed every five years.
The rest of the agenda items from both meetings that could impact the Clover area are summarized below.
As for new business, the Council held a second reading of an ordinance regarding Fort Mill EMS services, and the acquisition of Fort Mill EMS by Atrium Health. This ordinance addresses the agreement between Atrium Health Fort Mill EMS and York County to continue to provide rescue services in York County. The second reading was deferred on March third, but was approved on March 17. It will go to a third reading and final approval in April.
Rezoning approvals included Thomas McCall’s request for 6.73 acres on Dulin Road to be changed from Urban Development and Residential Mixed Use-20 to Residential Development so his family can build a house on his land. Vernie Paulette Melton Hall’s request for 1.54 acres on Ervin Street to be changed from Urban Development to Residential Single Family - 30, so a detached dwelling can be built.
New members were sworn into various boards, including Joseph Costello, Walter Wilkes, and Michael Robbe for the Bethel Fire Tax District Board and Brian Jones for the Rock Hill/York County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Laura and David Booth requested a county-wide assessment for library expansions.
The Council approved several board nominations, contracts, and purchases, including a $377,642 utility agreement with MCImetro for the Pennies three project that is underway. A Pennies five project, work on the intersection of Hwy. 321 and Old North Main, has moved to the design phase with the approval of no more than $366, 835.00 to ACEOM Technical Services. Additionally, a $107,477 design contract for the Hwy. 55/Maynard Grayson Intersection was approved. Other purchases included sewer vacuum excavators ($145,404.40), Microsoft Office licenses ($88,800), and $8 million for local road improvements. The $8 million had come from the State.
They also reviewed amendments to Chapter 155: Zoning Code to allow minor adjustments and revise accessory structure standards.
Councilman Tom Audette , in comments before moving to Executive Session, shared that he also had concerns about Silfab and requested that a discussion be held about the possibility of a cease and desist order.
York County Council met on April seventh and will meet again on April 21 at 6 South Congress St., York.