Gaffney Council Denies Annexation Request for Grassy Pond Development

Mayor plans to revisit the issue, despite community opposition to the 1,500-home subdivision plan.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Gaffney City Council voted 4-2 to deny a developer's request to annex a 566-acre tract in the Grassy Pond community for a planned 1,500-plus home subdivision. However, Mayor Lyman Dawkins said he intends to discuss the issue again, despite ongoing opposition from Grassy Pond residents who want to maintain the area's rural character.

Why it matters

The proposed annexation and development has sparked a heated debate in Gaffney over the city's growth plans and the preservation of the Grassy Pond community's rural identity. The council's initial denial of the request signals that some officials are listening to resident concerns, but the mayor's intention to revisit the issue suggests the fight is far from over.

The details

The developer had sought to annex the 566-acre tract in Grassy Pond, a rural community on the outskirts of Gaffney, in order to build a 1,500-plus home subdivision. However, many Grassy Pond residents have vocally opposed the plan, arguing it would destroy the area's agricultural character and way of life.

  • On February 13, 2026, the Gaffney City Council voted 4-2 to deny the developer's annexation request.
  • Mayor Lyman Dawkins said he plans to discuss the annexation issue again in the near future.

The players

Gaffney City Council

The governing body of the city of Gaffney, South Carolina that voted to deny the developer's annexation request.

Lyman Dawkins

The mayor of Gaffney, South Carolina who said he intends to revisit the annexation issue despite the council's initial denial.

Grassy Pond residents

The community members who have vocally opposed the proposed 1,500-home subdivision, arguing it would destroy the rural character of their area.

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What they’re saying

“Hold your horses....or any other farm animal Grassy Pond residents might own. Their fight to stop the city's annexation of a large 566-acre tract in the Grassy Pond community for a 1,500-plus home subdivision is far from over.”

— ohtadmin, Author (gaffneyledger.com)

What’s next

Mayor Lyman Dawkins said he intends to discuss the annexation issue again in the near future, despite the council's initial denial of the developer's request.

The takeaway

The proposed annexation and development in Grassy Pond has exposed a deep divide in Gaffney over the city's growth plans and the preservation of rural communities on its outskirts. While the council's denial was a victory for residents, the mayor's intention to revisit the issue suggests the fight is far from over.