Annexation Education in South Carolina

06/04/2026

Interesting development news from Hardeeville. One thing worth noting is that this is not an announcement of a fully approved project. The article describes a proposed 216-unit apartment community that remains subject to approvals, financing, and other conditions.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260603892167/en/LRT-Company-Launches-%2421-Million-DST-Investment-for-Ground-Leased-Multifamily-Site-Near-Hilton-Head-Island-S.C.

LRT Company, a land acquisition and real estate investment firm that specializes in land entitlements and ground lease financing, and sponsors 1031 exchange ...

05/04/2026

This is our Anderson County:
FILOTs are a top concern for Anderson constituents. Industries of all sorts, along with AC economic development leaders, secretly make deals leaving communities and current residents ignored in any decision-making process. This is a recurring pattern. Residents learn about FILOT projects only after non-disclosure agreements are signed and planning processes confirmed "behind closed doors,” preventing local officials from sharing information with constituents.
This has to change!!! More and more, these FILOTs are representing data centers and those business whose sole purpose is to support data centers.
Tell your South Carolina lawmakers (both state and local) to protect us from the negative impacts of data center developments, FILOTs, and what comes with them

04/23/2026

https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/midlands/building-the-midlands/irmo-development-stalled-as-water-walk-expansion-withdrawn-land-annexed-for-future-plans/101-fdc261cd-8f07-459f-a2e8-0d1edea276bd

The Water Walk Phase Two project is shelved in Irmo amid infrastructure challenges, the land is still annexed into the town,

04/17/2026

Community members in Gaffney are urging the City Council to block the annexation of nearly 600 acres for a proposed development, citing concerns over transparency, infrastructure and the impact of a population increase. FULL STORY⬇️

04/16/2026

The Gaffney City Council recently approved the first reading of a controversial annexation plan for a large housing development, despite ongoing community concerns.

READ MORE | https://www.wspa.com/news/local-news/controversial-development-plan-approved-by-gaffney-council-in-first-reading/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WSPA_7News

04/15/2026

Update: Agricultural Property & Annexation

Today, Rep. Neal Collins, who serves on South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee, shared that Senate Bill 264 (S264) passed out of the Property Subcommittee unanimously.

This bill requires landowner consent before agricultural property can be annexed into a city. This is important because it:

-Protects property rights
-Helps preserve farmland
-Creates more intentional growth

S264 is about balancing growth with respect for property rights and preserving agriculture. As development accelerates, decisions like this will help shape how growth happens across South Carolina.

Today, I chaired Property subcommittee. We unanimously passed Senate bill 264 out of subcommittee. S264 requires any owner of agricultural property to consent to city annexation. Currently, it is possible to annex agricultural property without owner's consent under the 75% or 25% annexation methods. The bill would ban this ability for cities without owner's consent.

As South Carolina grows, we all need to be mindful of when & where to grow. I agree with many that farmland, especially small farms, are important to protect.

(No part of this post - graphics or wording - were AI generated or edited. The photo is not from South Carolina. It is from a farm field in Plain City, Ohio that illustrates the concern.)

04/08/2026

A dispute between Horry County and Conway over a Carolina Forest annexation highlights a growing problem. Development decisions made without coordination across jurisdictions.

County leaders cite traffic and safety concerns, while acknowledging they cannot stop annexation turning instead to Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) as the practical solution.

This is exactly what Senator Rex Rice’s annexation reform bill (S.703) is designed to address ensuring growth happens with coordination, not conflict.

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Conway and Horry County leaders say they currently have different ideas for the future of nearly 1,000 acres in Carolina Forest and what is best for the area’s residents. Due to traffic and public safety concerns, Horry County leaders turned down a proposed developmen...

01/22/2026

Finally, A WIN!

The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled against the City of North Charleston in a land annexation dispute involving property near Magnolia Plantation along South Carolina Highway 61.

10/20/2025

Clemson trustee Nikki Haley and university president Jim Clements resign from board of directors of housing company linked to controversial developments...

09/03/2025

Thanks to all who came to the council meeting last night. Bodies in seats make a difference. And to those who spoke, you all were amazing! That was the most people I’ve ever seen in the council chamber. THANK YOU!

We know with enough people showing up we can enact change. You helped prove that last night.

The moratorium is affective this morning under the “pending ordinance doctrine.” That means there will be two more readings at the next two council meetings it must pass to stay in effect. Please continue to show up! It’s also a nice idea to send a quick email of thanks to your council member (or all of them) to say thanks. Their contact is on the county council website.

This moratorium also means annexation requests will likely dramatically increase as profit hungry developers who couldn’t care less about our community try to circumvent this ordinance. That means we must also start showing ho like last night for city council and planning meetings. There IS power in numbers and we must not rest on our heels now. We’re just getting started!

Thank you again!