Jasper Co. council approves controversial Grays sand mine rezoning, development agreement

JASPER COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - Jasper County Council has voted to move forward with a proposed 58-acre sand mine in the northern part of the county, marking a significant decision that has split the community between economic development advocates and concerned residents.

Council Approval Amid Opposition

Both the development agreement and rezoning request officially passed through their final readings by the county council on Tuesday night.

For the mine to become operational in Grays, it needed the zone it is in to be changed from rural preservation to resource extraction.

However, the votes (4-1) did not come without fierce opposition from residents and at least one councilman who questioned the project’s legality and safety implications.

For the second time in as many meetings, residents gathered in the council chamber holding signs that read “No Rezone No Sand Mine,” demonstrating their continued resistance to the proposal.

“I see all of these people here, and they are making a plea to you guys,” One woman who lives near a sand mine said at the meeting. “Their plea is what they want you to do; they want you to be their voice. That’s all that really absolutely matters.

Residents’ Concerns

People living near the proposed mine site remain steadfast in their opposition, citing multiple concerns about the project’s impact on their community:

• Health and environmental risks to themselves and their families from the dust and noise the mine would create.
• Wildlife threats in the area
• Increased traffic from mining operations that would bring 50-75 trucks a day down Pine Level Church Road and Heritage Road.
• Threats to their property values after years of investment in their homes

“Who is going to be held accountable for the devastating destruction?” Trina Cournoyer said. “It’s your job, council members, to protect the people, the residents, from harm, safety, and welfare.”

Legal Questions Raised

Opponents also questioned the legality of the rezoning, alleging it violates the county’s comprehensive plan and may constitute “spot zoning”—a practice illegal in South Carolina.

Spot zoning occurs when a specific parcel is rezoned to benefit one landowner at the expense of surrounding property owners.

According to Grant McClure of the Coastal Conservation League, this is precisely what’s happening in this case. “When you are rezoning a specific parcel to the benefit of one landowner and at the expense of surrounding landowners,” he explained, referring to the practice as a legal violation.

However, county commissioners said they consulted with the county attorney, who assured them that voting on and approving the development agreement and rezoning is legally sound.

Council’s Economic Argument

Despite the opposition, at least one commissioner defended the project’s necessity for the community. Joseph Arzillo, Jasper County Council Vice Chairman, argued that the mining operation serves a critical purpose.

“Sand and dirt are necessary in a community. These roads and these house pads all require it,” Arzillo stated during the meeting.

Dissenting Vote and Safety Concerns

Not all council members agreed. Gene Ceccarelli, a Jasper County Councilman who voted against the proposal, raised concerns about the seven children living in the area when mining operations begin.

“I cannot help but wonder if Mr. Heirs or any member of this council has or had young children or grandchildren who would want them living in proximity to a sand mine,” Ceccarelli said. “I most certainly would not.”

If the mine becomes operational, developers say the property will have a 1,000-foot buffer from nearby homes, a 250-foot vegetative buffer from the roads, and be away from the wetlands on the property.

In addition, to help with the traffic driving down the road, they are going to improve 500 feet of the roadway just outside of the property.

Under the new development agreement, which regulates the height of equipment, hours of operation, processing and drying procedures, and storm water management at the mine, the sand mine will not operate on the weekends or during certain holidays.

What’s Next

Residents of the Grays community have made clear that their fight against the proposed sand mine is far from over. Community members are now considering taking legal action to block the project.

Even with council approval, the mine still faces significant hurdles before it can begin operations. The project must still obtain both federal and state permits before moving forward.