Planning Commission

2022 Planning Commission Meeting Schedule

Purpose: Provides for planning and development throughout the County.

Enabling Legislation: S.C. Code 1976, §§ 6-29-310—6-29-330. Pickens County Ordinance No. 226, art. II, 4-17-1995 “It is the function and duty of the county planning commission to undertake a continuing planning program for the physical, social and economic growth, development and redevelopment of the unincorporated portions of the county.

The plans and programs developed by the planning commission must be designed to promote the public health, safety, morals, convenience, prosperity or the general welfare as well as the efficiency and economy of the county. All reports, documents and conclusions produced by the planning commission are advisory to the county council, which shall retain final authority over the adoption of any policy or ordinance governing the county.”…and; “Upon approval from the county council, the planning commission shall have responsibility for the following tasks:

Prepare and review, periodically, plans and programs for the development and redevelopment of the county.
Prepare and recommend for adoption as a means for implementing plans and programs:
1. Land use or general development regulations.
2. A zoning ordinance.
3. Subdivision regulations.
4. An official map.
5. A landscaping ordinance.
6. A capital improvements program.
7. Policies and procedures to facilitate the implementation of planning elements.
Undertake the study and prepare reports or recommendations on any other matter referred to the planning commission from the county council.”

The county planning commission shall consist of seven members, selected and appointed by a majority vote of the membership of the county council voting in council duly assembled, with one member being nominated by each of the six council members. One member shall be appointed at large by a majority of the council.

Membership eligibility. Members of the planning commission must be residents of the county. If any member shall move outside the county during his term of office, he shall be required to resign from the planning commission. Members may reside within an incorporated municipality within the county. No member may hold an elected office within the county or any incorporated municipality within the county.

General responsibility. It is the function and duty of the county planning commission to undertake a continuing planning program for the physical, social and economic growth, development and redevelopment of the unincorporated portions of the county. The plans and programs developed by the planning commission must be designed to promote the public health, safety, morals, convenience, prosperity or the general welfare as well as the efficiency and economy of the county. All reports, documents and conclusions produced by the planning commission are advisory to the county council, which shall retain final authority over the adoption of any policy or ordinance governing the county.

Specific responsibilities. Upon approval from the county council, the planning commission shall have responsibility for the following tasks:

Prepare and review, periodically, plans and programs for the development and redevelopment of the county.
Prepare and recommend for adoption as a means for implementing plans and programs:
Land use or general development regulations.
A zoning ordinance.
Subdivision regulations.
An official map.
A landscaping ordinance.
A capital improvements program.
Policies and procedures to facilitate the implementation of planning elements.
Undertake the study and prepare reports or recommendations on any other matter referred to the planning commission from the county council.

For more information and to find agendas/minutes, please visit the Planning Commission page here.