Pickens County residents urge community to attend August 3 public hearing on proposed Overlay Ordinance

Overlay Ordinance could affect longstanding Pickens County Property Rights

Pickens County residents and property owners are urging fellow landowners and members of the community to attend the public hearing on the proposed Lake Keowee & Lake Jocassee Overlay Ordinance on Monday, August 3, to learn more about the proposal, hear concerns from fellow residents, and make their voices heard before County Council considers any future action.

Residents say the proposed ordinance could place new restrictions on thousands of properties throughout the proposed overlay district surrounding Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee. They argue that many of these properties have operated under development agreements approved by Pickens County in 2002 and 2005, and that landowners have purchased, invested in, and planned for their properties based on those established rights for more than two decades.

Despite the potential impact on thousands of property owners, residents say one of their biggest concerns is that the proposed ordinance has still not been publicly released, making it impossible for many landowners to review the language, understand how their property rights could be affected, or prepare meaningful comments before the public hearing.

Residents say their concerns extend beyond the ordinance itself to the overall lack of transparency surrounding the process. They believe any proposal with the potential to alter longstanding property rights should be fully available for public review well before residents are asked to weigh in or County Council considers moving the ordinance forward.

The August 3 public hearing provides one of the most important opportunities for residents and property owners to voice their concerns directly to County Council. Community members are encouraged to attend, listen to the discussion, and sign up to speak during public comment. Individuals who wish to address County Council may register in advance for a three-minute speaking slot.

Residents are asking County Council to:

• Publicly release the complete proposed ordinance and all supporting materials before moving forward with additional readings or votes.
• Clearly explain how the proposed ordinance would affect the property rights established under the 2002 and 2005 development agreements.
• Ensure every affected property owner has adequate time to review the proposal and understand its potential impact.
• Carefully consider the concerns raised by residents and landowners before taking any further action on the ordinance.

Residents emphasize that their opposition is not about preventing responsible growth or avoiding public discussion. Rather, they believe decisions that could affect longstanding property rights deserve an open, transparent process that gives every affected landowner the opportunity to understand the proposal and participate before decisions are made.

The public hearing on the proposed Lake Keowee & Lake Jocassee Overlay Ordinance will be held on Monday, August 3, at 6:30 p.m. Residents, property owners, and all interested community members are encouraged to attend, hear directly from their neighbors, and participate in the public comment process.

Anyone wishing to speak may register for a three-minute public comment before the meeting begins.

Registration is available:

• In person: At the podium in the County Council Chambers before the meeting.
• In advance: By contacting Jessica Varney, Clerk to Council, at (864) 898-5856 or [email protected].

If you have questions or concerns about the proposed ordinance, contact your County Council representative and ask them to carefully consider the impact this proposal could have on thousands of Pickens County property owners.

District 1 – Claiborne Linvill
County Cell: (864) 765-1496
Email: [email protected]

District 2 – Vice Chairman Chris Lollis
County Cell: (864) 549-6503
Email: [email protected]

District 3 – Chairman Alex Saitta
County Cell: (864) 997-4265
Personal Cell: (864) 637-8985
Email: [email protected]

District 4 – Scott Lang
County Cell: (864) 997-8900
Email: [email protected]

District 5 – Chris Bowers
County Cell: (864) 293-0700
Email: [email protected]

District 6 – Dr. A.D. (“Dale”) Holloway
County Cell: (864) 997-8665
Email: [email protected]

Jessica Varney, Clerk to Council
Phone: (864) 898-5856
Email: [email protected]