Laurens County Council honors retiring captain, approves data center moratorium

Laurens County Council recognized a retiring sheriff’s captain, honored the county’s emergency management staff and gave final approval to a temporary moratorium on data center development permits during its meeting Monday, Sept. 14.

All members were present except Councilman Brown Patterson.

Recognitions

Council opened the meeting with a special recognition for Capt. Charles Boyce, who retired from the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office after 41 years of service. Council presented Boyce with a certificate of appreciation.

Members also recognized September as Emergency Preparedness Month and honored Emergency Management Director Sonny Ledda and his staff for their work protecting county residents.

Appointments

Council approved the reappointments of Janice Roberson, private sector, and Bertha Rice, low income sector, to the GLEAMNS board. Council also approved the reappointment of Melinda Gray to the Assessment Appeals Board representing District 6.

Data center moratorium

Council voted unanimously on third reading to approve an ordinance imposing a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, review, approval and issuance of development permits for data centers in Laurens County. The ordinance was sponsored by Councilman Matthew Brownlee.

“This moratorium is not a no to data centers. It is a pause so we can do our homework,” County Council Chairman Jeff Carroll said. “Projects of this size bring real questions about land use, power and water, and our residents deserve to know we have standards in place before anyone breaks ground in Laurens County.”

Subdivision and solar ordinances

Members unanimously approved an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 926 by repealing and replacing divisions 6.3 and 8.b and amending division 9.a.1, which govern major subdivision plan approvals.

Council gave unanimous approval on first reading to Ordinance No. 1014, which establishes standards for solar energy conversion systems. The ordinance is intended to promote public health, safety, environmental protection and agricultural preservation.

Council will take up second and third readings of the solar ordinance at future meetings.