Monday public hearing gives Fort Mill residents a voice in zoning plans

The word zoning is often followed by long government-ese phrases such as “unified development ordinance.”

Monday night, that’s precisely what’s on tap in Fort Mill – a proposed unified development ordinance.

“It really is an overhaul,” said Larry Huntley, a Fort Mill Town Council member. “We have to bring our zoning up to date. This hearing is a big deal for the people of Fort Mill. It is their chance to say what they think.”

Zoning is a big deal because Fort Mill residents – and town leaders – must get a handle on what can be where and when. Growth has caused concerns about schools, traffic and almost every other quality of life issue.

“It is true; talking about zoning is tedious, and boring, but zoning and planning decisions affect the quality of life of everyone,” said Michael Johnson, the York County Council member who represents Fort Mill. Johnson has been besieged with constituent complaints about traffic, growth and other concerns.

“Fort Mill’s municipal growth affects every place the town touches,” Johnson said. “The area of northeastern York County is a work in progress and it affects us all.”

The business community has been part of the planning but the public has just as vital a role, Johnson said. But town residents must participate.

Think town zoning rules don’t matter? In Clover, where zoning plans were overhauled last year with almost no fanfare, new rules led to a battle over a proposed cell tower in the middle of town. The tower’s placement became possible when the town changed its zoning. The conflict has led to court battles, protests, and people against the government and the town they live in.

Monday night for Fort Mill’s people and future residents and business owners could be a start of Fort Mill’s future.

The town has proposed its first zoning overhaul in almost a half-century. The town and surrounding area have boomed in recent years. No longer is Fort Mill a town of two textile mills and homes and businesses. Fort Mill in just the past couple of years has added the huge Kingsley development and business park near Interstate 77 off S.C. 160, and approved other large tracts of residential and commercial growth. The town grew to take in new Fort Mill school buildings and will soon be home to a third high school.

And that growth is surrounded by growth just outside the town limits – other huge residential tracts, businesses, and commercial activity. Town and county growth in Fort Mill and the northeastern part of York County has been so fast and furious that earlier this year York County considered, but ultimately rejected, a temporary development freeze.

With growth comes outcries over when it overpowers infrastructure, the need for police and fire protection and other safety services.

There have been previous meetings and maps have been on display for weeks. The town even took out an ad in The Herald, complete with a map of the town and what zoning will go where, to reach as many residents as possible.

Town Manager Dennies Pieper said it is accurate to say the hearing is about consolidating all the zoning into one place. What that means, he said, is that everyone will then know the rules for what can be built where, and why.

“We have covered all the bases trying to get the word out that we want to hear from the public on the future,” Pieper said.

Now it’s the people’s turn to talk and maybe stop controversy before it starts.

This story was originally published December 10, 2016 at 6:28 PM with the headline "Monday public hearing gives Fort Mill residents a voice in zoning plans."