Lancaster council approves festival alcohol, surplus equipment sale, greenway grant and impact‑fee study; holds first readings on housing rezoning and annexion

The Lancaster City Council took votes on a range of routine and policy items at its May meeting, approving several resolutions and carrying forward two ordinances for additional review.

By unanimous roll call, the council approved Resolution 24‑15 authorizing the public possession and consumption of beer and wine in a designated district for the Red Rose Festival (May 17–18) subject to vendor licensing and wristband controls. The council also unanimously approved a resolution declaring roughly 20 pieces of equipment surplus and authorizing sale, with proceeds returning to the appropriate city funds.

The council authorized the city administrator to enter into a project agreement related to a Transportation Alternatives grant (about $953,000) for a Lindsay Perez Greenway spur. The grant requires matching contributions from both the city and county; staff said each will contribute $100,000 toward the project and the city will act as the local public agency to administer bidding and construction oversight.

Councilors also voted to direct the planning commission to conduct a study and recommend an ordinance to create development impact fees under the South Carolina Development Impact Fee Act. Staff expects consultant work and the planning commission recommendation by June, followed by public presentations and council deliberation on fee amounts and possible credits or affordable‑housing provisions.

On land-use matters, the council approved first reading of Ordinance 24‑08 to rezone a parcel for up to a 72‑unit apartment complex (applicant representatives estimated approximately $19 million in construction costs and two full‑time property/maintenance jobs). The planning commission recommended approval and staff emphasized that site-specific traffic and storm‑water controls will be required. Council also approved first reading of Ordinance 24‑09 to annex a multi‑lot residential subdivision into city limits; developers said buildout would be phased over multiple years and urged continued coordination on service needs.

All recorded roll‑call votes on listed resolutions and first‑reading ordinances were unanimous in the publicly posted transcript.