‘This fight is not over’: Neighbors balk at York County response to Silfab controversy

John Marks
·4 min read

Fort Mill neighbors protesting Silfab Solar are angry, confused and unswayed by York County’s recent statement backing the company’s $150 million plan for a manufacturing site. They’re also determined that it won’t be the last word.

“We’re going to fight them every step of the way,” said Regent Park resident Nicole Forde, who lives less than two miles from 7149 Logistics Lane.

York County clears path for solar panel site, blames misinformation for public protests

That’s the address where Canadian solar panel manufacturer Silfab plans to start production by year’s end. The company received state and county tax incentives to bring the manufacturing site with 800 jobs. Instead of taxes the company can pay a fee at almost half the typical manufacturing tax rate of 10.5%.

Residents protested, saying dangerous chemicals used in production shouldn’t be allowed near neighborhoods and beside where two schools are now under construction.

The county Zoning Board of Appeals sided with residents in May. The board unanimously voted that solar panel manufacturing shouldn’t be allowed in areas, like the Silfab site, zoned light industrial.

But York County issued a June 25 statement saying that ruling doesn’t apply to Silfab. The county contends a zoning verification letter Silfab received in late 2022 from county planning staff allows the company to operate there.

“Developments can’t be jeopardized by later requests for zoning interpretations from opponents of those projects,” the county stated.

John Lee, who lives a little more than a mile west of Silfab, isn’t buying the county’s response.

“It feels like a mistake was made and rather than owning it, and correcting it, they have decided to press forward,” Lee said. “They owe us more specific answers.”

Concerned residents gather in Fort Mill Thursday to voice their concerns about the Silfab Solar’s plan to open in Fort Mill. York County issued a response backing the company after zoning controversy on whether it should be allowed.
Concerned residents gather in Fort Mill Thursday to voice their concerns about the Silfab Solar’s plan to open in Fort Mill. York County issued a response backing the company after zoning controversy on whether it should be allowed.

Legal challenges to Silfab decision

Residents gathered Thursday night in Regent Park to pass out fliers protesting Silfab. But York County public meetings have drawn hundreds of protesters at a time for months. Public outcry may no longer be the issue.

“We’ll certainly win based on public opinion,” said Rich Krouse, who lives about a mile from the site. “The problem is once the lawyers get involved the public opinion goes in the toilet.”

The county statement backing Silfab feels like a county facing legal pressure, residents say. Krouse would expect Silfab to file suit if the county disallowed the project after considerable financial investment. So residents plan to fight back. They just aren’t sure yet whether they’d sue the county, Silfab or both.

“We will take them to court,” Forde said. “We don’t want to have to go there, but we will.”

Several residents have spoken with attorneys but to date, nothing has been filed.

Neighbors against Silfab Solar plans to manufacture solar panels in Fort Mill gather in Regent Park on Thursday to pass out information to businesses. Protests will continue after York County issued a statement indicating the company will be allowed to operate near schools under construction.
Neighbors against Silfab Solar plans to manufacture solar panels in Fort Mill gather in Regent Park on Thursday to pass out information to businesses. Protests will continue after York County issued a statement indicating the company will be allowed to operate near schools under construction.

Battling Silfab ‘misinformation’

The recent county statement blames much of the public concern over Silfab on “misinformation.”

Residents agree with so many voices speaking out against the company, some will be misinformed. But they also point to public documents they say make the case to keep Silfab out of a light industrial property.

“They’re trying to defend a bad decision,” Krouse said. “The question is, should the county allow those kinds of chemicals, in those quantities, in that location.”

The county, state and company acknowledge toxic chemicals hydrochloric acid, hydrogen flouride and toluene would be used in the manufacturing process. Emissions from the site, though, wouldn’t exceed environmental standards, they say.

Residents point to the zoning verification letter York County says gives Silfab the ability to operate. It states it isn’t a permit, and that the company can proceed only with all proper permits including civil site plan review.

Asked Thursday if there are any additional permits Silfab still needs to operate, county spokesman Greg Suskin said building permits for the facility’s upfit and ancillary structures are under joint review by the county and the International Code Council. Suskin didn’t know when decisions would be made on those permits.

Residents say a zoning letter shouldn’t handcuff the county, when the zoning appeals board later found it erred in allowing solar panel manufacturing in light industrial zoning.

“We have the ability to stop this now, and they don’t seem interested,” Lee said. “We have a zoning board of appeals for a reason. They clearly made the right decision.”

Silfab protests to continue

York County Council meets again July 15, and residents again plan to rally. They aren’t against Silfab or solar panel manufacturing. A group that began as Stop Silfab rebranded as Move Silfab to reflect its position.

“It’s the specific location,” Lee said.

Frustration continues to mount. Forde doesn’t get how a county appeals board set up in part to review staff decisions can make a ruling that won’t apply to the company that prompted the review. Or the idea the county can’t stop Silfab based on that board decision when the company hasn’t started production.

“We’re very angry about it,” Forde said, “because they’re all full of nonsense.”

“This fight is not over,” Lee added. “It’s just beginning.”

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