Residents press York County on Silfab permits and Zoning; BZA ruling, litigation cited

Several Fort Mill residents used the public forum to press York County officials about permits issued for Silfab, a solar cell manufacturing operation, raising questions about zoning, public health and whether the county should pause permitting while litigation continues.

John Worth asked why any industry should be allowed to use “toxic and hazardous chemicals adjacent to schools, residents, and senior centers,” said the Attorney General had cited case law showing the county could revoke permits to protect health, and asked what evidence the county had that the USC risk assessment was not flawed.

Eleanor Worth told the council the BZA had ruled nearly two years earlier that solar cell manufacturing is not allowed in a light industrial (LI) zone and said the BZA attorney subsequently admitted the ruling applies to Silfab; she said she lives 0.6 miles from the facility and described anxiety about potential chemical exposure.

Tim Hagerty cited York County code section 30-04(b), saying it requires that items requested by two council members be placed on a future agenda and alleging the code has not been honored in prior meetings. Council members and staff said they could not answer detailed questions during the public forum and that some matters are subject to litigation.

No council action on Silfab permits was taken at the meeting; residents said they will continue to provide documentation and press the council for a public addressing of the matter.