Data center moratorium advances as county attorney updates council on Cambridge Farms appeal

Laurens County Council met in regular session Monday, Aug. 10, at the Historic Courthouse, taking action on a data center moratorium, a responsible pet ownership ordinance and a change to how major subdivision plans are approved, while hearing an update on the county’s pending appeal in the Cambridge Farms litigation.

Five of the seven council members were present. Chairman Jeffrey Carroll of District 5, Vice Chairman Matthew Brownlee of District 2, M. Kemp Younts of District 1, Arthur Lee Philson Jr. of District 6 and Justin Lane of District 7 attended. Shirley Clark of District 3 and W. Brown Patterson Jr. of District 4 were absent.

County attorney gives status update on Cambridge Farms appeal

County Attorney Wes Meetze updated council on the status of the county’s appeal in its case involving the Cambridge Farms development, a report that followed the Clinton City Council’s decision earlier this month to table the annexation ordinance for the project. A 30-day extension began the day of the meeting, and Meetze cautioned that the case could take a considerable amount of time to resolve.

Meetze opened with what he called a brief history of the project, citing official minutes from the April 7, 2025, regular meeting of Clinton City Council. Cambridge Farms originally sought approval of its subdivision from the City of Clinton and asked to be annexed into the city, and the request passed first reading. Meetze said the mayor later indicated the matter needed to come back before council over concerns about zoning levels, and the application was subsequently pulled from the city.

Meetze said he long wondered why the application was withdrawn until the developer testified before the Laurens County Planning Commission and gave the reason directly. According to Meetze, the developer wanted R-1, R-2 and R-3 zoning, and the city said it would allow only R-1.

The application was submitted to the county on May 6, 2025, and on May 19 the Laurens County Technical Review Committee deemed it incomplete. The following day, the Laurens County Planning Commission voted unanimously to impose a six-month moratorium on open space development. The developer resubmitted on June 16, and on June 23 the Technical Review Committee deemed the application complete and forwarded it to the Planning Commission for a review scheduled for July 15. The Planning Commission later denied approval.

Meetze said the county’s position has been that the application was only forwarded to the Planning Commission, not approved by it. The court, however, ruled that Technical Review Committee approval alone was enough to exempt the project from the moratorium.

“The County does not take the appellate process lightly,” Meetze said. “In this matter, the County respectfully disagrees with the Circuit Court’s ruling and is seeking review of that decision by the South Carolina Court of Appeals.  The County has taken, and maintains, the position that County Ordinance No. 926 allows the County to require that the final approval of a subdivision plat be granted by both the Planning Department (via the Technical Review Committee) and the Planning Commission. We look forward to the Court of Appeals review, and ultimate decision, in this case.”

Data center moratorium advances

Council unanimously approved second reading of Ordinance #1012, which imposes a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, review, approval and issuance of development permits for data centers in Laurens County. Brownlee is the sponsoring council member.

Subdivision approval process would shift to Planning Commission

Council took first reading of Ordinance #1013, which amends Ordinance #926 by repealing and replacing Division 6.3 and 8.B and amending Division 9.A.1 regarding major subdivision plan approvals. The change removes the Technical Review Committee from final approval authority and places it with the Planning Commission. Brownlee is also the sponsoring council member on that ordinance.

Pet ownership ordinance approved

Following a public hearing in which one resident spoke in support, council unanimously approved third reading of Ordinance #1011, amending Laurens County Ordinance 935 to add responsible pet ownership and targeted spay and neuter provisions. Brownlee sponsored the ordinance.

ATAX allocations approved

Council unanimously approved the 2026 accommodations tax allocations, with the original applicants receiving funding. The remaining $74,280 will go to the Ag Center.

County launching new Facebook page

Darbi Jackson of the county Public Information Office told council that the county’s new official Facebook page, Laurens County Government, will go live Aug. 11.

Proclamation and public comment

Council proclaimed August as Emergency Management Awareness Month. During public comment, residents raised concerns about data centers, subdivisions and overdevelopment in the county.

Brownlee told council that PlaySafe and SCORF funding would be discussed in executive session. Council entered executive session for the receipt of legal advice relating to the settlement of The County of Laurens, South Carolina vs. Happy Valley Co., LLC, et al., and for discussion of negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements regarding SCORF funding and administration.