Zoning Laws Exist for a Reason: Why Heavy Industry Belongs in Heavy Industrial Zones

When cities and towns establish zoning laws, they aren’t just drawing lines on a map. They’re making deliberate decisions to protect public safety, manage infrastructure, and ensure sustainable community growth. These laws dictate where different types of businesses can operate, ensuring that high-impact industrial facilities are placed where they belong—away from homes, schools, and small businesses.

Right now, however, Fort Mill’s zoning protections are being ignored. Silfab Solar, a heavy industrial operation, is being built in a light industrial zone, despite clear regulations that prohibit such development. This is more than a technical oversight—it’s a violation of the very laws designed to protect our community.

Light vs. Heavy Industrial: Understanding the Difference

Zoning laws distinguish between light and heavy industrial areas for a reason.

Light industrial zones are intended for businesses with minimal environmental impact—think storage warehouses, small-scale manufacturing, and assembly plants that don’t generate significant pollution, noise, or traffic.

Heavy industrial zones, on the other hand, are reserved for operations that pose greater risks—such as large-scale manufacturing, facilities using hazardous materials, or businesses requiring significant infrastructure and environmental oversight.

These designations exist to:

✔ Keep pollution and hazardous materials away from homes and schools.

✔ Ensure major truck traffic doesn’t disrupt local roads.

✔ Prevent property values from plummeting due to noise, emissions, and industrial activity.

Silfab is a Heavy Industrial Operation—So Why is it in a Light Industrial Zone?

On the surface, a solar panel factory might seem like a clean, low-impact business. But the reality is very different. Silfab’s operations require large-scale industrial processes, high truck traffic, and hazardous chemicals—including hydrofluoric acid and silane gas. This places it firmly in the heavy industrial category.

York County’s Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) already ruled against Silfab, confirming that this type of manufacturing is not allowed in a light industrial zone. But instead of following the law, local officials are bending the rules—allowing Silfab to move forward despite clear zoning violations.

If this decision stands, it sets a dangerous precedent: What’s stopping other heavy industrial operations from following suit?

Fort Mill Deserves Responsible Development

No one is against economic growth. No one is against jobs. The issue here isn’t whether Silfab should operate—it’s about where it should operate.

York County already has designated heavy industrial zones. That’s where businesses like Silfab belong.

Ignoring zoning laws for corporate convenience threatens public health, environmental safety, and the very fabric of responsible community planning. If we allow this now, what’s next? Chemical plants next to daycare centers? Steel mills beside schools?

Zoning laws exist for a reason, and they should be enforced. It’s time to take a stand.

Take Action

✔ Sign the petition to protect Fort Mill.

✔ Donate to support legal action and community advocacy.

✔ Attend upcoming county meetings and demand accountability.

✔ Share this with your neighbors—because our community’s future is on the line.

Fort Mill deserves better. Let’s fight for responsible development before it’s too late.