[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6068465,"mediaKeyId","3093765-b07baddf888aafc7787edd00458c3acd","parentId",3093765,"title","Commission approves several zoning and administrative items, adopts CIP priorities; rezoning and easement text amendment decisions split","audioSeconds",3286,"startMs",32000,"endMs",3318000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093765-b07baddf888aafc7787edd00458c3acd&start=32&end=3318","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093765-b07baddf888aafc7787edd00458c3acd/thumbnail_32000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6068465/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Commission-approves-several-zoning-and-administrative-items-adopts-CIP-priorities-rezoning-and-easement-text-amendment-decisions-split","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068465-d5534ed6a21d23b8e1b8ab91ddbf7ec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173501&Signature=N72cOl7Abq1QUFJIdKDIbHIdwcDB3DIXB~u-24Lo16doKXhTZnSpCz426yl3SXR3b8UbRzECIzc30pI-0Z0AhPVu4FU9Iw4LBQ1cMZV3pZeC-QsqpnBxq2VN9UOilhTFLq2i4VaJWY0sdJredJir0ALNCaAPslCARitcNzXPSOPg97bcOXKqA2JB6QCQP64GQNsHnIh8IxkP5uVMk4T~pyEoRHHRl98oLQnwjgjVdD0HmGQxPAmeahb5luqHz-LKjuAPtRI3Gtw4qmX16u28sk16Rc8vySIMBSkryk1UAjtCFww7XVwozqnYaxKX-EMlj-M17mOuJTmGzXGhkNvx3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dorchester County Public Meetings","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","At its meeting Tuesday the Dorchester County Planning Commission approved several routine and county‑initiated items, adopted a capital improvement project priority list recommendation and deferred a zoning text amendment on drainage easements for further refinement.

Minutes: Commissioners approved the minutes as presented.

County‑initiated rezoning: Staff described a county‑led cleanup to rezone several parcels that host existing industrial uses from AR (agricultural/residential) to CLI (commercial light industrial) or I (industrial). Staff said the rezoning aligns the zoning with established uses and will avoid repetitive future rezoning requests when those businesses seek to expand. The commission voted to approve the county‑initiated rezoning. Staff said property taxes would not change as a result because assessment already reflects existing activity.

Zoning text amendment (Article 20, Section 20.70.3) — drainage easements: Public Works and planning staff proposed an amendment to prohibit stormwater easements on private lots being sold and require ponds and drainage easements be placed on HOA or common open‑space lots. Commissioners debated tradeoffs: some said moving easements off individual lots reduces backyard conflicts and increases clarity for maintenance; others warned it could reduce density and have unintended effects in rural areas without HOAs. The commission voted to defer this text amendment for additional discussion with Public Works about where and how the rule should apply.

New street names and right‑of‑way requests: The commission approved multiple street naming requests, including names associated with Legacy Farms (Audrey Lynn Lane and Sidesaddle Way) and other subdivisions (Golden Quill, Long Bear Drive, Velvet Finch, and others). Staff said names had been vetted with 9‑1‑1 addressing and the post office.

CIP priority list: Planning staff presented the county’s fiscal‑year capital improvement project priority list, which the commission recommended to county council for consideration. Commissioners asked for additional briefings by sewer/water staff on capacity and planned treatment upgrades; staff said lower wastewater treatment plant upgrades and a potential central wastewater treatment plant in the county were being evaluated.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting transcript):
- Approval of minutes: passed (vote recorded as “ayes have it”).
- RR931 rezoning (Wanda Lenore, 1636 Central Ave to CG): motion to approve, seconded; motion passed (recorded as “the ayes have it”).
- County‑initiated rezoning (multiple parcels from AR to CLI/I): motion to approve; motion passed (recorded as “the ayes have it”).
- Zoning text amendment 25‑03 (drainage easements): motion to defer for further discussion with Public Works and staff; motion passed.
- New street names (Legacy Farms and several others): motions to approve; motions passed.
- CIP annual project priority list recommendation for FY26: motion to approve list; motion passed.

The transcript records motion outcomes as “the ayes have it” or “motion passes” for the approved items but does not include numerical roll calls for these votes in the provided excerpt.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dorchester County Planning Commission Meeting 04.10.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a county‑initiated rezoning, several street namings, the CIP priority list and approved a recorded motion to approve minutes; the commission deferred a zoning text amendment on drainage easements for further discussion.","taxTitle","Dorchester County, South Carolina","taxId",4553,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6068469,"Commission reviews Legacy Farms 72‑lot plan; traffic study age and access easements raised",530,244000,774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093765-b07baddf888aafc7787edd00458c3acd&start=244&end=774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093765-b07baddf888aafc7787edd00458c3acd/thumbnail_244000.jpg","/articles/6068469/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Commission-reviews-Legacy-Farms-72lot-plan-traffic-study-age-and-access-easements-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068469-2b2a643aa855e3c9293068a046b7aebb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173501&Signature=lUcDDLJugWTknyF00YQROB7UyLSBbGPq3gfa8k4UTOi9V0ImTiHUZaM-1RI4rXFRSLeKwDGPiqCsixOIBNZMlksKjU~80mIY3op9skug2Fj0rUfArOwv4Ju0NmkkWd-OMAgdj2858RCfNE6Bj7Tjcjy4lti1-QDII8Eb8Ul-OjNd1R0oCw13h3O7iAudF3gWvutFmPh6uKJc~To4q2biUyM81CPdiDAeZoJWUu1q1PvxdxRmWc3IitF3K-QsWlhBaFYuIusNFmlK0vHteWRc~4nM~84089sfdUW60rmMHUruovSkS2CDE017ICYYai3NoRjx7jjj6E3tHEkRik8tIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff recommended preliminary approval Tuesday for a 72‑lot subdivision called Legacy Farms, a major subdivision proposed by Beazer Homes LLC at Orangeburg Road and Mentor Street, but several commissioners pressed for updated traffic analysis and clarity on access and easements.

Staff described the project as a by‑right single‑family development in the R‑2 zoning district on four parcels totaling roughly 33–38 acres (staff reported parcels totaling about 33 acres in the presentation and listed combined acreage in the application packet). The smallest lot is 7,500 square feet; the subdivision includes a required 40‑foot transitional overlay buffer along Orangeburg Road. A traffic impact analysis (TIA) dated Nov. 30, 2023, recommended a southbound right‑turn lane with 100 feet of storage on Orangeburg Road and one ingress and one egress lane for site access; public works has reviewed and signed off on plans conditional on substantially completing required improvements before final plat approval.

A commissioner asked whether TIAs have an expiration or update schedule, noting the TIA is now several years old and that development since 2023 may have changed traffic patterns. A planning commissioner said, “We can always ask that they just run an update ... it’s not doing the whole process over again,” and staff confirmed Public Works sometimes requires an updated TIA for projects that sit in process.

Commissioners also asked whether Mentor Street — the project’s primary access — is paved (staff said the portion serving the site is paved and Public Works intends to pave the other side) and whether an existing landlocked parcel would receive an access easement (staff said the developer was required to provide an access easement to serve that parcel). Staff said most departmental signoffs are in place and noted the applicant obtained a major modification at the October 2024 planning commission meeting to exceed the maximum roadway length.

A motion to approve the preliminary plan with conditions addressing access was made on the record; the transcript records the motion and discussion of conditions but does not contain a formal recorded final vote on the preliminary plan in the provided transcript segment.","Planning staff recommended approval of a 72‑lot preliminary plan for Legacy Farms with conditions; commissioners questioned the traffic impact analysis age and asked about access, easements and stormwater responsibilities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6068474,"Planning commission defers Legend Oaks-area subdivision after flooding, drainage concerns",1107,899000,2006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093765-b07baddf888aafc7787edd00458c3acd&start=899&end=2006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093765-b07baddf888aafc7787edd00458c3acd/thumbnail_899000.jpg","/articles/6068474/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Planning-commission-defers-Legend-Oaks-area-subdivision-after-flooding-drainage-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068474-277332e918de0ee4e588303b360ed67b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173501&Signature=OvZN9lw54HeUvE9RoGHteqpdvwJ2E7q0Irl6rjDxfDLi0po-zS5mu8yYi88~aJ0C~nW6leEi6HjgOcN02T9oJsbiD5qODpBD-nk0qjSTNO6J5uAgGJqKF15uxOaPBLGN2Q5hWYA4nF52RBR-GkWOPgqnnLPp0oRbRtU1vDZD6f9p7ts1XPbRkcK0C~79JC42qhgVzImsygvTeZVw4z2ZUFYsACDk6G0HdZY8P9AbWdo38bVrhHRjkRVULrLBH-nc5Kh~9LJwIL~zBji7y2sCENFt-RRFmHnB6~qmhTqQh4gDWpHz4VYpx5JjRNzNMi7EUeNo3UIFhiDmJ92XbTR1~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dorchester County Planning Commission on a motion Tuesday deferred action on the Enclave at Legend Oaks subdivision, asking county Public Works and legal staff to brief the commission at a 3 p.m. workshop before the next meeting.

The Enclave at Legend Oaks, proposed by Beech Hill Somerville LLC and engineered by Bowman Consulting, would create 48 single-family lots on roughly 310 acres off Old Beech Hill Road. Planning staff described the project as a cluster subdivision that includes large wetland areas and a donated upland/rail‑bed trail to the county as part of the cluster provisions.

The plan prompted extensive public and commissioner concern about flooding. A resident told the commission, “We know that the club at Legend Oaks stays under water when we have a significant amount of rain right now,” and said neighborhood roads and yards remain flooded after heavy storms. The resident said adding stormwater discharge to nearby wetlands and canals could worsen existing problems.

Jim Ducker, an engineer with Bowman Consulting, said the project’s stormwater approach includes raised roads (above the 25‑year storm elevation), pond‑bank elevations above the 100‑year storm and other grading and retaining walls. He said off‑site easements for water and sewer remain to be obtained but were not expected to change the layout under consideration.

Justin Hardaway, representing Dream Finders Homes and speaking for the developer, urged the commission not to delay, saying a third‑party county reviewer had signed off: “The math works. The elevations are what the elevations is. And it states that it works.” Hardaway said Public Works and the county’s third‑party reviewer (Wolpert) had approved the current plans after engineering revisions.

Several commissioners said they remained unconvinced and wanted Public Works and county legal counsel to explain hydrology, tailwater conditions and long‑term risk before taking a final vote. One commissioner said, “I think that we need answer before we give an answer on this project,” and another added that they were concerned about the potential for future FEMA flood‑map changes to increase risk for lots near the basin.

The motion to defer — including instruction that Public Works and legal attend a 3 p.m. workshop — passed with a second. Commissioners discussed scheduling and possible dates; staff was asked to arrange the workshop and invite Public Works and legal counsel.

The deferral leaves the application without a final decision; commissioners said they want technical and legal clarification before voting.","Commissioners deferred a decision on the Enclave at Legend Oaks subdivision and asked Public Works and legal staff to appear at a workshop to address community flooding and stormwater concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves several zoning and administrative items, adopts CIP priorities; rezoning and easement text amendment decisions split

Commission reviews Legacy Farms 72‑lot plan; traffic study age and access easements raised

Planning commission defers Legend Oaks-area subdivision after flooding, drainage concerns