Tuesday, April 28, 2026 · 6:00 PM · Council Chambers, Camden ► Watch the full meeting on YouTube »
Present: Vice Chairman Russell Brazell (D1), Sammie Tucker Jr. (D2), Derek Shoemake (D3), Jimmy Jones (D4, by phone), Brant Tomlinson (D5), Danny Catoe (D6). Chairman Ben Connell was absent (family medical emergency); Vice Chairman Brazell presided.
The headline
After more than two hours of debate and 11 public speakers, Council passed the Building Permit Allocation System on second reading, 4-2 - a two-year cap on new residential building permits meant to slow the county's rapid growth. A third and final reading is still to come (expected July 28). Most of the night's fireworks were over this one item.
Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Building Permit Allocation System (2nd reading) - PASSED For 4 · Against 2 ▸ detailsless
Caps new residential permits at the historical average of ~500/year, then phases in reductions
For: Shoemake, Tucker, Catoe, Tomlinson. Against: Brazell, Jones. - Amendment (Shoemake) - PASSED For 4 · Against 2: 0% reduction for the first 6 months, 15% for the next 6 months, 20% in year two, adjustable every 6 months. For: Shoemake, Tucker, Catoe, Tomlinson. Against: Brazell, Jones. - Motion to table 90 days (Jones) - FAILED For 2 · Against 4. For: Jones, Brazell. - Amendment to exempt already-started subdivisions (Brazell) - FAILED For 2 · Against 4. To be revisited at third reading. For: Jones, Brazell.
FY2026-27 County Budget (1st reading, title only) - PASSED. ▸ detailsless
Administrator expects a roughly flat budget with no millage (tax rate) increase
Clemson Extension office lease, 632 W. DeKalb St. (1st reading) - PASSED unanimously. ▸ detailsless
Routine lease update
Major Subdivision Design Standards, ZLDR 5.3.3 (2nd reading) - PASSED unanimously. ▸ detailsless
Amended to limit on-grade concrete slabs to 25% of homes per subdivision
Open Space / Landscaping rules, ZLDR 3.5.4 (2nd reading) - PASSED For 3 · Against 2. ▸ detailsless
Amended to give developments 50% open-space credit for flood-plain land (wetlands excluded)
Rural Country Club / golf course rules, ZLDR 3.3 (3rd & final reading) - PASSED unanimously. ▸ detailsless
Clears the way for the Candy Root golf course near Mt. Pisgah/Jefferson (Catoe's district); a clubhouse up to 8,000 sq ft with overnight lodging for guests - no housing subdivision. Developers aim to open the first course this fall
Rezoning, 41 Youngs Bend Rd, Kershaw (3rd & final reading) - PASSED unanimously. ▸ detailsless
32 acres rezoned from Rural Development to General Development, tied to the Carolina Motorsports racetrack
Panhandling / solicitation ordinance, Chapter 24 (3rd & final reading) - PASSED unanimously. ▸ detailsless
New regulations and penalties for solicitation in unincorporated areas
Board appointments - all PASSED unanimously: ▸ detailsless
Jason Bittner and Andrea Larrimore reappointed to the Recreation Advisory Commission; Rosalind Franklin reappointed to the Assessment Appeals Board
Out of executive session - PASSED unanimously: ▸ detailsless
authorized Chairman Connell to negotiate the contract to rewrite the county's zoning code (ZLDR)
Discussed, no vote taken ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Homestead exemption for seniors (resolution) - withdrawn for now. A proposal to raise property-tax exemptions for homeowners starting at age 60 (up to $500,000 at age 75) was pulled so staff and finance can study cost and whether the county is legally allowed to exceed the state exemption. Coming back May 26.
- 250th anniversary parade. Chairman's idea for a county-wide July 4th parade; general discussion only.
What residents said (11 speakers) ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Most speakers addressed growth and the permit cap. Builders, contractors, and real estate voices (BIA members, custom-home builders, a septic-company owner) urged Council to table the cap, warning it could hurt local tradespeople, invite lawsuits, and raise home prices; several asked to let recent changes (larger lot sizes, impact fees) work first. Growth-management advocates urged passing the cap to protect infrastructure, citing drought, water supply, and fire/EMS strain. Separately, Liberty Hill residents pressed again for faster EMS response (avg. ~27 min, the county's longest), and a Pecan Orchard neighbor said a 10-year drainage problem still isn't fixed.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- May 26: Revised senior homestead-exemption resolution
- ~July 28: Third and final reading of the Building Permit Allocation System
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