From Chapin to Red Bank: Tracking Lexington County’s 2026 growth

Lexington County has seen a wave of new housing proposals, zoning fights and infrastructure debates in the first half of 2026. From a 600-home showdown in Chapin to a $50 million school replacement, here’s a roundup of the key projects moving through the pipeline.

Here are key takeaways:

• Lexington County Council held a public hearing on a proposed $20 million sale of the Chapin Business and Technology Park to a developer planning to build the 600-home Palatin neighborhood, even as Chapin Mayor Bill Mitchell continues a freeze on new sewer taps citing capacity concerns at the town’s aging wastewater plant.
• Irmo’s planning commission unanimously voted to recommend rezoning about 22 acres of former clay mining land off Columbiana Drive for a 300-apartment community proposed by Long Key Development, with up to half the units potentially participating in an affordable housing program targeting residents earning 80% to 120% of the area’s median income.
• Lexington town council unanimously approved a first reading of Woodland Townes, a Connelly Development plan for 50 town homes on 9.5 acres at Old Chapin and Snelgrove roads that would replace the 30-unit Lakeland Apartments and the vacant Jaycee Hut building.
• Irmo Town Council narrowly approved a zoning change in a 3-2 vote to allow a 42,000-square-foot PrimeSpace Storage facility at 7949 Broad River Road, with required visual improvements including enhanced landscaping, building facades and faux windows.
• Lexington School District 2 board approved a first reading of a long-range facilities plan that includes demolishing and replacing Congaree Elementary School with an 800-student, 110,000-square-foot campus estimated at $49.5 million, with completion planned for June 2029.
• Lexington County Council voted 7-2 to give initial approval to Serenity Lake, a 402-home Mungo Homes subdivision on 173 acres in Red Bank, though construction is expected to be roughly three years away with a six-year build-out after that.
• The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission received initial county approval to rezone 69 acres near River Bluff High School for a 70- to 100-vehicle RV campground that would sit at the trailhead of a planned nature trail extension connecting to the Three Rivers Greenway.
• Lexington town council unanimously approved the annexation of a 299-home Meritage Homes subdivision on 191 acres along Barr Road, with the developer committing nearly $1 million in roadway improvements to handle an estimated 2,700 additional daily cars.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.