Laurens County SC, October 16, 2025
News Summary
The Laurens County Council has imposed a six-month moratorium on cluster development due to increasing concerns about population density and housing affordability. The decision, made in a recent council meeting, garnered a split vote and aims to provide time for evaluating and amending existing development regulations. Council members emphasized the need for more affordable housing options, which currently range between $300,000 to $400,000, and planned future discussions to address public input on county developments.
Laurens County, SC Council Imposes Moratorium on Cluster Development
The Laurens County Council has implemented a six-month moratorium on cluster development initiatives following a meeting held on October 13, 2025. This pause in development comes in response to growing concerns regarding population density and existing loopholes in development regulations.
The council decided to impose the moratorium with a vote of 3-2-1, with Chairman Jeff Carroll, and members Justin Lane and Kemp Younts in favor. Vice-Chairman Matthew Brownlee and Arthur Philson Jr. voted against the motion, while Council Member Shirley Clark abstained. Council Member Brown Patterson was absent from the vote.
This moratorium is intended to provide the council with the necessary time to assess and potentially amend the current regulations concerning open space residential developments, particularly in the rapidly expanding areas south of Fountain Inn and around Gray Court. There are specific concerns about the affordability of new housing, as most new homes are currently priced between $300,000 and $400,000. The council is eager to explore additional affordable housing options in the $200,000 to $250,000 range that do not include townhouses.
The council is set to present a revised cluster development ordinance to the County Planning Commission on November 18, 2025. Following this presentation, a full council discussion on the ordinance is scheduled for late November, with a potential second reading taking place on December 10, 2025.
In addition to the moratorium, council members took time during the meeting to recognize October as National Pharmacists Month and celebrated October 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week to promote drug-free environments. Various appointments were also made to boards including the Agriculture Board and the Parks, Recreation & Tourism board.
The council completed the final reading of an incentive agreement for Project Sora, which involves a $92 million expansion by Meiden America Switchgear, Inc. in Gray Court and is expected to create 43 jobs in the area. Furthermore, the council agreed to hire TischlerBise to conduct a study on impact fees related to the building codes office. This study is perceived as a necessary measure to establish new impact fees to support local services, including law enforcement, fire services, schools, roads, and parks, in light of the rapid growth occurring in the county.
During public comments at the meeting, there was a notable level of support for the moratorium; however, some residents expressed concerns that halting new developments could dissuade potential developers from investing in Laurens County. The council has committed to presenting public input sessions for citizens to share their opinions on county matters, with the first session scheduled for August 18, 2025. The primary aim of the moratorium is to prevent new developments that may not align with the county’s growth vision until proposals for regulatory amendments are comprehensively discussed.
The moratorium takes effect immediately and will last for six months, with the possibility of extending it for an additional six months if necessary. Presently, Laurens County does not have zoning regulations in place, though a task force is actively assessing potential zoning proposals and land use regulations. This task force is scheduled to meet next at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Thursday.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the six-month moratorium imposed by Laurens County Council?
The moratorium aims to allow time for reviewing and potentially amending existing regulations regarding open space residential developments due to concerns over population density and development loopholes.
How was the moratorium passed and what was the vote breakdown?
The moratorium was decided by a 3-2-1 split vote with yea votes from Chairman Jeff Carroll and members Justin Lane and Kemp Younts; nays from Vice-Chairman Matthew Brownlee and Arthur Philson Jr.; Council Member Shirley Clark abstained and Brown Patterson was absent.
When will the council’s revised cluster development ordinance be presented?
The council will present a revised cluster development ordinance to the County Planning Commission on November 18, 2025.
What are the current concerns regarding housing affordability in Laurens County?
The council is concerned that most new homes are priced between $300,000 and $400,000, and is seeking more affordable options in the $200,000 to $250,000 range that are not townhouses.
What will happen during the public input sessions scheduled by the council?
The council plans to conduct public input sessions where citizens can voice their opinions on county business, with the first session scheduled for August 18, 2025.
Is Laurens County considering implementing zoning regulations?
Currently, Laurens County does not have zoning, although a task force is examining potential zoning proposals and land use regulations, meeting next on Thursday at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Key Features of the Laurens County Council Moratorium
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Moratorium Duration | Six months with possibility of extension. |
| Vote Outcome | 3-2-1 split vote in favor of the moratorium. |
| Concerns Addressed | Population density, housing affordability, development loopholes. |
| Next Steps | Revised ordinance presentation on November 18, 2025, council discussion in late November. |
| Public Input | Input sessions scheduled, first on August 18, 2025. |
| Housing Affordability Goals | Seeking homes in the $200,000 to $250,000 range. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- GoLaurens: Laurens County Development Issue
- Wikipedia: Population Density
- WSPA: Laurens County Plans Six-Month Halt on Development Projects
- Google Search: Laurens County development projects
- WYFF: Laurens County Moratorium on Open Space Development
- Google Scholar: Laurens County development moratorium
- My Clinton News: Laurens County Buys Itself 6 Months to Modify Open Space
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Open Space Development
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