York County: Home to low taxes, top schools

There's a faster heartbeat in York County these days.

No, the economy south of the Catawba River has not magically rebounded from its pre-crash levels. In fact, parts of Rock Hill, one of South Carolina's most booming cities a decade ago, still seem trapped under the ice of a pocket depression - with high unemployment and a shrinking job base.

In Fort Mill, major residential developments such as Stonecrest on S.C. 160 and Massey on Doby's Bridge Road have been put under temporary kibosh. Massey, according to a recent Fort Mill Times article, was designed for 1,000 homes under its 2008 plan. As of July, it had less than 50. To save money, the Fort Mill schools delayed the opening of a new school and cut staff.

Still, there remain plenty of reasons why York County has been such an attractive spot for newcomers. Beautiful land, lakeside living, schools that range from solid to terrific, and low taxes.

In Fort Mill's Baxter Village, both of my next-door neighbors recently sold their homes, part of an unmistakable uptick in Realtor activity. Lake Wylie and Clover are booming. York has a vibrant historic section. Rock Hill has new companies moving in, not to mention Winthrop University.

Fort Mill is a place that has always gone its own way, that always seemed to have a plan. Lately, that plan seems to be bending a little under development pressure. Highway 160, the major thoroughfare through the township, is sprawling itself silly between Fort Mill and Tega Cay.

A new southern bypass promises to open up more land for commerce. The development arm of the Springs Family, which has largely controlled Fort Mills since Reconstruction, has let it be known that it wants to replace its longstanding recreational complex with yet more shops, businesses and homes.

The developmental pressure appears ready to move from a simmer to a boil.