FORT MILL, S.C. — A pair of bills under consideration in the South Carolina Legislature could bring a sudden halt to Silfab Solar’s manufacturing facility in Fort Mill — a project that has drawn intense scrutiny from the surrounding community.

The proposed legislation — House Bill 4293 and Senate Bill 530 — introduces sweeping new zoning enforcement powers that would allow local governments to immediately suspend or revoke construction permits for developments that are later determined to violate existing zoning regulations. The change could be retroactive, meaning that even projects with active permits and construction already underway — such as Silfab’s — could be stopped in their tracks.

Under the proposed laws, if a zoning board, planning commission, or local zoning administrator deems a project to be non-compliant with zoning ordinances, all prior approvals would be nullified. Construction must cease immediately and may only resume if the developer brings the site into compliance through rezoning or by securing a variance. The only other path forward would be through a court ruling that allows construction to continue during legal proceedings.

What’s more, the Senate version of the bill stipulates that the law would take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature, adding urgency to the debate and uncertainty for developers.

The legislative effort comes after nearly a year of growing resistance from Fort Mill residents, many of whom have voiced concerns over the proximity of the Silfab plant to new schools and residential neighborhoods.

“We’ve been fighting this for almost a year,” one resident said. “Finally, it feels like we’re getting traction with lawmakers.”

Opponents have zeroed in on the lack of clarity surrounding the plant’s chemical usage and waste management protocols. Environmental safety and traffic congestion are also major points of contention, with critics saying the project was pushed forward without sufficient community input or transparency.

Silfab Solar, for its part, insists the project meets all safety and environmental standards. The company has emphasized that its operations will not produce harmful emissions or cause excessive disturbances in the area.

“We want to be good neighbors,” a Silfab representative said during a previous public meeting. “Our operations will not emit harmful substances or create excessive noise, smoke, or odors.”

Still, public sentiment remains sharply divided. While some residents welcome the jobs and economic investment the plant promises to bring, others worry about long-term impacts and what they view as a lack of oversight.

If either bill becomes law and Silfab is found to be in violation of local zoning rules, the consequences could be severe — from lengthy delays to an outright shutdown of the development. The situation is being closely watched by municipalities and developers across South Carolina, as the outcome could set a powerful precedent for how future zoning disputes are handled statewide.

As both bills move forward in the legislature, all eyes are on Fort Mill — where the battle over zoning, development, and community voice is far from over.

Originally reported by Richard DeVayne in WCNC.