Laurens County Council Advances Economic Development Projects, Property Purchase, and Zoning Amendments

Laurens County Council moved through a full agenda this week, advancing multiple economic development initiatives, approving a county property purchase, and taking significant steps toward updating residential development rules.

Several ordinances came before council for public hearing and final action:

•Ordinance 992 – Project IPE FILOT
Council held a public hearing and approved the ordinance on third reading. Project IPE represents a $93 million investment in Laurens County and is expected to create 126 new jobs. Council also approved an amendment adding the industry to the county industrial park.

•Ordinance 994 – Project Floyd FILOT
The proposed $68.6 million project was scheduled for consideration, but final action was postponed at the request of the company.

•Ordinance 996 – Property Purchase
Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the county to purchase property located at 1 and 3 Gallon Street in Laurens.

•Ordinance 991 – Amending Ordinance 926: Open Space Residential Development
The proposal to modify residential development guidelines received second reading approval.

Council also advanced several economic development items on second reading:

•Ordinance 997 – Project Diamond FILOT
Approved unanimously, Project Diamond is a new industry locating in Clinton. The project represents a $9 million investment and is expected to create 70 new jobs. Council also unanimously approved its inclusion in the Clinton Industrial Park.

Council considered a series of amendments to Ordinance 991, which updates the county’s Open Space Residential Development regulations. County staff developed the original ordinance, with proposed amendments reflecting feedback from Ryan Homes and other potential developers.

Approved amendments included:

•Allowing fewer than 50 percent of lots to face common areas or open space, approved unanimously with Councilman Younts opposed.

•Establishing a minimum 100-foot buffer between developments and adjacent agricultural or vacant land, approved unanimously.

•Revising the open space requirement from the original 60 percent to 50 percent, following an amended motion.

•Reducing minimum side setbacks to seven feet for one-and-a-half-story structures and ten feet for two-story structures.

•Requiring one development entrance per 100 lots instead of every 50 lots, approved with Councilman Younts casting the lone opposing vote.

•Requiring a cul-de-sac or traffic circle for every 70 homes, approved unanimously.

•Allowing unfenced stormwater or detention ponds to count for up to three percent of common open space if non-impervious walking trails and benches are included. This amendment passed on a 4–2 vote, with Councilmen Lane and Younts opposed.

An amendment that would have removed requirements for preserved natural space was discussed but did not receive a motion for a vote.

Council concluded the meeting by turning to new business items focused on planning and partnerships for the year ahead:

•Approved the 2026 Quarterly Public Input Meeting Schedule.

•Approved Resolution 2026-3, a memorandum of understanding with the Laurens County Chamber of Commerceoutlining coordination related to Potter’s Field.

•Approved Resolution 2026-1 – Project Palmetto Inducement Resolution, signaling support for a new industrial project.

•Unanimously approved Ordinance 1000 – Project Palmetto FILOT on first reading.

•Gave first reading approval to Ordinance 1001 – Amendments to Ordinance 926: Non-Conforming Lots, continuing the county’s broader effort to update zoning regulations tied to growth and development.

Additional readings and final votes on several of these items are expected at upcoming council meetings.