The Clarendon County Planning Commission recommended Aug. 3 that County Council impose a six-month moratorium on most applications for data centers and battery energy storage system facilities while county officials develop regulations governing the uses.
The commission voted unanimously to recommend that council temporarily stop accepting and processing applications for the facilities, with an exception for industrially zoned areas.
The moratorium will not take effect unless it is adopted by County Council.
Commissioners approved the recommendation after meeting in executive session to receive legal advice. No action was taken behind closed doors, and the motion was made after the commission returned to open session.
According to the motion, the six-month period would give county staff time to research the facilities and develop an appropriate ordinance.
The county’s 2022 Unified Development Code does not specifically define data centers or battery energy storage system facilities. Neither use is expressly included in the code’s table identifying permitted, conditional and accessory uses within each zoning district.
Section 32.04 of the code allows the Planning Department to approve certain unlisted uses if they are similar to or compatible with uses already permitted in a zoning district. To qualify, a use must be consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan, produce no greater off-site impacts than neighboring uses and be substantially similar to other permitted uses in the district.
Potential amendments could establish definitions for the facilities, identify the zoning districts in which they would be allowed and create development standards addressing matters such as setbacks, buffers, noise, lighting and emergency access.
In other business, the commission approved an updated preliminary plan for Clubway Towns subdivision at Deer Creek.
The preliminary plan was originally approved in October 2023 but had expired. The proposed development includes 24 lots and the construction of Golf Drive.
Planning and Building Director Tabitha Hanna said staff and members of the county’s technical review committee found the plans substantially compliant with the Unified Development Code.
The development will require a water and sewer capacity agreement, along with water and sewer taps for each lot. Environmental permits have been extended through Jan. 1, 2027.
Hanna said concerns involving lot sizes and fire access were resolved after the developer met with the Clarendon County Fire Department. Additional fire hydrants will be installed.
Commissioners Louis Griffith and Lannes Prothro recused themselves from consideration of the subdivision.
The commission also approved John Miller’s request to place a second manufactured home on an approximately 4-acre parcel near Roe Drive in Summerton.
The property is in the county’s Performance Zone District, where a second manufactured home is permitted subject to any additional development requirements imposed by the commission.
Staff said the surrounding area is primarily rural and includes agricultural land, woods, a site-built home, a manufactured home and a storage building. The second home will use a private well and a separate septic system.
No one spoke in opposition to the request.
The county issued 100 permits and completed 223 inspections in July. The department had completed 1,430 inspections for the year through July and collected $25,475 in monthly revenue.
