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This week’s local government activity is focused heavily on development rules, zoning, infrastructure costs, and major land-use decisions across York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties.

Several items from Monday night are still awaiting official posted minutes, so PRAR is being careful not to report those as final until they can be verified. Meanwhile, there are important meetings and policy decisions coming up this week that REALTORS® should have on their radar.

CONFIRMED & CURRENT INFORMATION

Lancaster County UDO Heads to Second Reading October 12

Lancaster County’s proposed new Unified Development Ordinance remains one of the most significant local real estate policy issues in our region.

The County’s official UDO page confirms that second reading is scheduled for Monday, October 12 at 6:00 p.m. The ordinance is a comprehensive rewrite of the rules governing development in unincorporated Lancaster County.

The County has spent months reviewing subjects including housing types, subdivisions, development agreements, roads, open space, buffers, stormwater, parking, rural business zoning, and other development standards.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

This is not simply a technical zoning update.

The UDO can influence:

  • What types of housing may be built
  • Density and subdivision design
  • Development costs and timelines
  • Infrastructure requirements
  • Land values and redevelopment opportunities
  • Private property rights
  • Housing supply and affordability

For REALTORS® working with land, builders, investors, or clients considering development potential, the October 12 meeting is one of the most important local government dates on the calendar.

Fort Mill Has Moved Beyond Its Development Moratorium and Into a New Regulatory Environment

Fort Mill’s temporary development moratorium expired at the end of September following the Town’s adoption of its new zoning code.

The Town’s public calendar now shows the next regular Town Council workshop on October 12, followed by the next business meeting on October 26. Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings are scheduled later in the month.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

For members working with Fort Mill property, the key point is that development questions should now be evaluated under the Town’s new zoning framework, not the prior ordinance or the temporary moratorium.

If a client is considering annexation, rezoning, subdivision, redevelopment, or a particular permitted use, members should encourage them to verify requirements directly with Fort Mill Planning rather than relying on older zoning information.

PROPOSALS & ITEMS TO WATCH

Rock Hill Planning Commission Meets Tonight

The Rock Hill Planning Commission is scheduled to meet tonight, October 6 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.

The City has not yet posted a detailed October agenda publicly on its Planning Commission page, so PRAR is not assigning specific development proposals to tonight’s meeting until the official agenda is available.

Rock Hill City Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for October 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

Rock Hill continues to be one of the region’s most active development markets, and Planning Commission recommendations often represent the first public step for rezonings and annexations that can later shape housing, commercial development, and neighborhood growth.

For members, it is important to distinguish between a Planning Commission recommendation and final City Council approval.

Rock Hill Impact-Fee Changes Remain an Important Issue to Follow

Rock Hill recently held a public hearing on proposed changes to its development impact-fee program.

The proposals include increases to water, wastewater, and fire impact fees, along with a proposed new police impact fee. The City has published separate studies supporting the proposed changes.

Because the City’s official Council page does not yet show final approved minutes from the September 28 special session, PRAR is continuing to treat the fee changes as pending until final action is verified.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

Impact fees help fund infrastructure and public services associated with new growth, but they also become part of the cost of bringing new housing and commercial development to market.

That makes the discussion relevant to both sides of the affordability equation:

How do communities pay for growth without making new housing unnecessarily more expensive to produce?

PRAR will continue following the issue until final rates and implementation dates are confirmed.

Chester County: Major Zoning Decisions Await Official Confirmation

Chester County Council met October 5 with several important zoning matters on its agenda, including multifamily and industrial land-use requests.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Chester County’s official Council page lists the October 5 agenda and packet but does not yet show approved minutes.

For that reason, PRAR is not yet reporting those items as approved or denied.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

This is particularly important because some of the Chester County matters involve:

  • Multifamily residential zoning
  • Large industrial properties
  • Future employment centers
  • Transportation and utility demands
  • Surrounding residential and rural property

These decisions can have long-term impacts on where housing and jobs are located—and how surrounding property is used.

Once the official October 5 Council actions are posted, those results should be included in the next confirmed-action update.

York County: October 5 Rezoning Results Also Await Official Confirmation

York County Council was also scheduled to consider several rezonings on October 5, including commercial and land-use changes affecting properties in the Rock Hill and Clover areas.

At this point, I would not publish specific outcomes from those votes until York County posts the official results or minutes.

That distinction matters because members may rely on PRAR’s update when discussing property with clients.

The Bottom Line

This week’s strongest REALTOR® theme is simple:

The rules and costs surrounding growth continue to change.

Lancaster County is preparing for a major UDO vote. Fort Mill is operating under an entirely new zoning code. Rock Hill is reconsidering how growth contributes to infrastructure costs. Chester and York Counties continue to process significant zoning requests.

These local decisions can affect:

  • Housing supply and affordability
  • Development costs
  • Private property rights
  • Property values
  • Infrastructure
  • Commercial and industrial growth
  • Future housing demand

PRAR will continue monitoring these issues and separating what has actually been approved from what is still being proposed.

Real estate is local. Your REALTOR® Association is paying attention.

PRAR Local Government Watch is provided for general member awareness. Proposed ordinances, rezonings, fees, and meeting schedules may change. Members should verify property-specific zoning, permitting, taxation, and development requirements directly with the appropriate jurisdiction.

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