Lancaster County Zoning Decisions: September 2026

In September 2026, Lancaster County held 12 public meetings covering zoning matters. 8 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 5 approved (71% approval rate), 2 denied, 1 deferred. Activity was down 1% compared to August (315 activity items across 5 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Development agreement with AM Group Land Holdings, LLC for 92-lot subdivision off McIlwain Road

Denied.

First reading of ordinance 2025-1988 to approve a development agreement with AM Group Land Holdings, LLC in connection with a major subdivision preliminary plat (SD-2021-0528), a 92-lot single-family cluster subdivision overlay district on roughly 47 acres off McIlwain Road near Linwood Drive. Impact fees proposed at $6,375 per house ($4,000 school district, $2,000 public safety, $375 parks and rec). Planning Commission recommended approval; planning staff recommended conditional approval with staff edits. The developer declined the ad hoc committee's recommended impact-fee template (based on the Nalar/North Haven development). Motion to approve failed.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning at 792 Fort Mill Highway

Approved.

Second reading of ordinance 2026-2056 to rezone approximately 0.95 acres, tax map number 006N-08-006.00, at 792 Fort Mill Highway from medium-density residential district to neighborhood business district. Planning commission recommended approval unanimously and planning staff recommended approval; passed at the September 14, 2026 meeting.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning of 792 Fort Mill Highway from MDR to Neighborhood Business (1st reading)

Approved.

First reading of Ordinance 2026-2056 to rezone approximately 0.95 acres, tax map 0006N-0A-006.00, at 792 Fort Mill Highway from Medium Density Residential (MDR) to Neighborhood Business district. Applicant plans a small medical/office space. Planning Commission and staff recommended approval, consistent with comp plan. Councilman Luis raised concerns about intensity and proximity to single-family homes, considered deferring for the new UDO or switching to professional business district, then retracted his motion after staff clarified building permits will fall under the new UDO. Motion by McGriff, seconded by Harper, unanimous.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Pioneer East at Edgewater subdivision (309 lots)

Deferred.

Preliminary plat for Pioneer East, a phase of Edgewater, by True Homes and BNC Land Holdings LLC. 309 lots on 105.67 total acres (62 acres of lots, 23 acres open space, 16 acres right-of-way), 2.92 units per acre, private streets. Staff recommended approval. Commissioners raised concerns about drainage easements running through backyards, lack of usable common open space, tree clearing, and especially traffic/public safety with a single ingress/egress (Bethel Boat Landing) serving ~1,200 homes. The applicant asked for a deferral so staff could provide the 2023 TIA, the third-party consultant findings, and information on county remedies for safety concerns. Deferred to next month's meeting, 6-0.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Amendment to Redstone development agreement extension (2nd reading)

Denied.

Second reading of Ordinance 2026-2055 to amend a development agreement with Redstone Investors LLC and Lancaster Real Estate Group LLC to extend the development schedule and term to September 12, 2029. Development at Highways 521 and 160 involving approximately 350 apartments, 20 townhomes, and retail. Motion to approve failed; Stuart Graham, Jose Luis, and Bryant Neal had opposed at first reading. Motion by Mosteller, seconded by Harper.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Conditional use for bar/tavern/brew pub at 1951 Great Falls Highway

Approved.

Resolution 1339-R2026 approving a conditional use application to permit a bar, tavern, brew pub use at tax map 0086F-0A-009.00, 1951 Great Falls Highway. Planning Commission recommended approval by unanimous vote and planning staff recommended approval. No public hearing speakers signed up. Motion by Harper, seconded by Mosteller, unanimous.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Adoption of updated UDO recommendation matrix (Committee of the Whole direction)

Approved.

Council moved to approve the updated matrix of UDO recommendations, accepting the Planning Commission recommendations as shown, except: use council's recommendations for items 37 (civic/institutional uses) and 103 (stream/environmental provisions); on item 142 remove posted notices for both street naming and major subdivisions; on item 145 clarify that farm-stand operation covers the full growing season, not the 219 days shown in the matrix. Other resolved items included 500-foot outdoor kennel separation, elimination of the BT district (to be handled as a text amendment), required off-street parking, and 30-day public notice periods. Vote was unanimous (6-0).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

First reading of Ordinance 2026-2059 - comprehensive UDO rewrite with amendments

Approved.

First reading approval of Ordinance 2026-2059 to repeal and replace Appendix B of the Lancaster County Code (Unified Development Ordinance), adopting a comprehensive rewrite of zoning, subdivision, development review, design, transportation, infrastructure, environmental, and administration regulations, plus revised official zoning and overlay maps including the Highway Corridor Overlay. Approved with numerous matrix amendments (comments 11, 12, 13, 23, 32, 36, 38, 48, 56, 60, 62, 66, 69, 70, 72, 75, 76, 77, 82, 83, 84, 88, 91, 94, 96, 100, 102, 120, 121, 122, 124), plus county-attorney recommended revisions and a provision that the county may require a development agreement in accordance with applicable law. Passed unanimously by voice vote. Second reading and third reading scheduled by October 12 before the moratorium expires; Planning Commission to consider the changes at a special meeting next week.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• MDR → NB, 0.95 acres at 792 Fort Mill Highway
• MDR, 0.95 acres at 792 Fort Mill Highway
• Zoning change, 44 acres at Dogwood Acres Road to Lodge Road on 521, Indian Land

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 39 instances
• zoning: 35 instances
• subdivision: 25 instances
• commercial: 25 instances
• plat: 22 instances

What to Watch

• Residential mentions were up 117% from August.

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