New Lake Murray building restrictions could affect large portion of Lexington County
Lexington County is considering a plan to limit growth around Lake Murray, seeking to protect one of the county’s biggest features.
The proposal comes as the county revises its construction rules amid a six-month ban on permitting for new subdivision construction in the county.
The area covered by the proposal could be big. The Lake Murray Overlay District would cover 15% of Lexington County’s land area, or 105 square miles, under a draft proposal being considered by Lexington County Council. Including the surface area of the lake, the overlay district would encompass 20% of the county.
A map shows the overlay would cover all of Lexington County on the north shore of Lake Murray, including the town of Chapin. The boundary line would then follow S.C. 6 down the east side of the lake over the dam and into Lexington, then run along U.S. 1 to State Road 32-54, following that road to the Saluda County line.
For property in the overlay district, new rules would be imposed for subdivisions being constructed near the lake. Thirty percent of the development’s total land area should be designated for open space, the proposal reads. Wetlands, floodplains and slopes can be counted toward the open space requirement, but a minimum of 10% must be developable land.
New rules would also require a 20- to 30-foot buffer area between the property and surrounding areas, depending on the size of the development. It would also mandate a 25- to 50-foot road corridor buffer for new subdivisions.
Under the terms of the overlay district, the number of detached residences or townhouses in a new development are limited to no more than four per acre. But if zoning rules in specific areas require less density, “the more restrictive shall apply.”
“People will continue to move to South Carolina, move to Lexington County, whether or not they can build two or four houses per acre,” Council Chairman Todd Cullum said of one of the state’s fastest-growing counties at a Tuesday council meeting. “People are still going to construct houses. We just want them to be a better, safer product.”
There are some exceptions. Existing structures that are not in compliance with the new rules could be repaired or rebuilt as long as the non-conformity is not increased. Existing developments will be able to continue, and any new additions can use the original design.
The county froze all subdivision applications in April because of concerns that large-scale development was stressing county services like roads, trash collection and emergency responders. County council is also reviewing a broader overhaul of the county’s subdivision rules before that freeze expires later this year.
Lexington County could impose stricter rules about density and maintenance of services like roads and water systems before approving a new development. Rules could also be different for larger and smaller developments.
This story was originally published July 28, 2021 at 11:44 AM.
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