Fort Mill residents are now planning a massive protest for this coming Monday (3/16) at the York County Council Meeting after 2 recent chemical spills at the factory to call on officials to revoke Silfab’s Certificate of Occupancy.
Organizers are urging community members to gather at 5:30 p.m. on March 16 before the York County Council meeting at 6 p.m. Protesters say they want council members to place the issue on the agenda and vote to revoke Silfab’s certificate of occupancy.
The demonstration follows a recent vote by the Fort Mill School Board, which passed a resolution calling for all hazardous chemicals associated with the facility to be permanently removed. The board cited concerns about the plant’s proximity to local schools, including Flint Hill Elementary.
Protest organizers argue the facility is operating in a zoning district that does not allow the type of hazardous materials planned for the site. York County’s zoning code states that “Light Industrial does NOT include hazardous material treatment or storage facilities.” (York County Code §155.1301).
They also point to other provisions in the county’s zoning law. Under the code, “the Zoning Administrator must issue formal zoning compliance approval before permits are valid.” (York County Code §§155.1122–1123). In spite of numerous FOIA requests and private meetings, York County officials have still never produced a signed zoning compliance letter for Silfab’s operations – without one, all of Silfab’s permits and their Certificate of Occupancy would be legally void (according to SC Peterson v. Greenville County, 2011, “An invalid zoning permit issued in violation of applicable zoning laws confers no rights and is void ab initio”).
The Attorney General of South Carolina, Alan Wilson, has also confirmed that the York County Council has the authority to revoke Silfab’s CO if they do not have proper zoning approvals.
Organizers say the upcoming protest is meant to show council members the level of community concern and push them to take a formal vote on the project.
