Pickens County’s plan to control development around Lakes Keowee and Jocassee reached a public hearing Monday, but for some residents the loudest demand was not to abandon lake protections. It was to let the public see the actual rules before being asked to weigh in.
According to FOX Carolina, the proposed overlay would cover properties within about 1,320 feet of the two shorelines. The draft would prohibit new industrial and commercial development, multifamily housing, duplexes and townhomes in the zone while allowing single-family homes.
In a March announcement, Pickens County described the lakes as recreational treasures and major drinking-water sources for Pickens County, Greenville County and surrounding communities. County officials said the overlay review was intended to address water quality, shoreline management, flooding risks, natural hazards and long-term sustainability through a public-input process. The State Water Assessment discusses water resources and water quality.
The biggest flashpoint has been the shoreline setback. The online draft included a proposed 100-foot setback, even though the county’s existing standard is 50 feet; Chairman Alex Saitta told FOX Carolina the larger setback was no longer part of the plan, while residents Dick Bishop and Russ Rhodus said the unreleased revision left them uncertain about renovations, future sales and property rights.
A Development Fight Wearing A Water-Quality Label
Pickens County would not be the first Upstate government to use lake-specific land-use rules. Oconee County maintains a Lake Keowee/Jocassee overlay measured 750 feet from the full-pond contours, with special density and land-use restrictions plus a 25-foot undisturbed buffer.
A July report from the Western Upstate Association of REALTORS said Pickens County’s proposal changed substantially after earlier readings, shifting from an initial emphasis on setbacks and water-quality protections toward tighter limits on future lake development. That helps explain why residents are pressing for version control: the argument is no longer just about whether to protect the lakes, but about which proposal is actually being considered.
What Happens Before The Fall Decision
County officials have said the public hearing was the ninth public meeting on the issue, and a final decision is expected in early fall. Residents plan to ask leaders to publish the latest ordinance before the measure advances through additional approval steps.
Pickens County Council normally meets twice a month at the county administration facility and encourages residents to participate in public forum. Until a final ordinance is adopted, the proposed overlay remains a policy debate rather than a new enforceable development rule.
The county’s published code is maintained separately through Municode, which lists the existing ordinance collection. For lakefront homeowners, developers and anyone watching the shoreline, the next meaningful document may be the revised draft itself—assuming it arrives before the next vote.
