Zoning and Land Use task force makes report to county council

The Laurens County Zoning and Land Use Task Force presented its findings to the County Council at Monday night’s regular meeting of council, providing several options for council members as they consider zoning for parts or all of the county.

Task Force Chairman Robbie Bell and vice-chair Nancy Garrison, who is running unopposed for council in District 1, presented findings from around 15 public meetings held since the Task Force was formed in November of 2024.

“I’ve always said Laurens County’s greatest treasure is our youth, and we need to treat them that way,” said Bell, a former chair of the Laurens County School District 55 Board of Trustees. “Make no mistake about it, this task force is all about the future.”

Council took no action on the information, which included information on how to implement a land-use plan for the county – or at least parts of it.

“There are multiple ways Laurens County can approach implementation – some counties adopt zoning countywide immediately,” Garrison said. “Others phase in gradually. Others begin with overlays and targeted protections. This does not have to be an all-or-nothing conversation.”

Bell reminded council members that the zoning discussion, which has at times turned into a heated argument among proponents and critics, has been ongoing for “at least 45 years.”

But after community input from across the county, Garrison and Bell said during the presentation some sort of land-use ordinance is necessary to control rapid growth in certain areas of the county, especially near Fountain Inn and Gray Court and around the municipalities of Laurens and Clinton.

“Good zoning is not anti-growth,” Garrison said. “Laurens County is largely reacting to development one project at a time. Zoning gives communities a roadmap before conflicts happen instead of after. It helps separate incompatible land uses, protects property owners and gives both residents and developers predictability.”

Protection for residents, property owners and the county was a key part of the presentation made to council, including potential lawsuits if single rulings handed down by the county on projects alleging that the county was acting capriciously.

Bell said around 350 people attended the “conversational” community meetings, but none of them were antagonistic.

“I thought we would see more resistance to the idea of zoning, but there wasn’t a pitchfork type situation,” Garrison said. “I think that’s because they see what’s coming.”

Council Vice-Chairman Matthew Brownlee said it was important that county residents understand that zoning is meant as a mechanism for the protection of the county and homeowners, and “it’s not that you can’t paint your fence red.”

Chairman Jeff Carroll said council will review the information provided by the task force along with staff and then follow through with any necessary action moving forward.

“We need y’all to protect us – the people of Laurens County,” Bell said in support of the options presented to council. “We literally can’t do it without you.”