County Puts 90-Day Freeze on New Housing Developments
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
In a move aimed at managing the county's rapid expansion, the Anderson County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a temporary ban on new housing developments. The measure, which takes effect immediately, places a 90-day moratorium on any residential project in unincorporated areas that includes more than four lots.
Twelve local citizens spoke in favor of the moratorium before the vote.
The council's decision comes as county officials grapple with the strain that recent growth has placed on local infrastructure. The ordinance is a direct result of the county's ongoing effort to update its Comprehensive Plan and development codes. The moratorium will give county officials and a hired consultant, CodeWright Planners, time to review existing rules and recommend amendments that better manage future growth.
"The unincorporated area of Anderson County is experiencing significant residential growth which is producing a strain on the infrastructure within the unincorporated areas of the County," the ordinance reads, citing the need for "orderly and prudent development."
The new rules, however, will not affect developments that have already been approved by the Anderson County Planning Commission. Additionally, the council can vote to extend the moratorium beyond the initial 90-day period.
Before the vote, council amended the ordinance, at the request of Anderson County Councilman Jimmy Davis, to exempt parcels of five acres or more where no new street is involved. Davis said the move is to keep the ordinance within the bounds of South Carolina law and is aimed at families building houses for multiple family members on their property.
“This moratorium will give us time as we work with CodeWrite to work on our planning and development codes and standards,” said Davis. “We all know that there's a problem. We all know that there are several issues, including stormwater and traffic and other things and we've got to work through those.”
“We have this state requirement we have to have a new land use map and comprehensive plan in place by the end of 2026, and that's something that we're dealing with and working on,” said Davis. “And it's very important that we have as much community input on these meetings because that's what we put in the plan.”
Councilman Chris Sullivan said he continues to be concerned about the development beyond the county’s jurisdiction.
“District 1 (which Sullivan represents) incorporates a lot of the city, and the city is not scared to go around this annexation, that's what scares the heck out of me,” said Sullivan. “What's happened behind Midway School and everything back there? That's the city. They changed the density on those lots from what we have them listed as. It's caused an absolute mess and we make the best stormwater regulations around but when it moves to the city through annexation that changes to their standards. So, this does scare me a little bit as to developers now looking to annex properties in, so I just want to make sure that everyone knows that while we think we're stopping everything, but there are other options, and smart people find ways around roadblocks like that.”
County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn said the ordinance, for now, shuts down new housing developments in Anderson County.
