Lexington County looks at expanding anti-blight plan

A significant expansion of a blight prevention plan may be coming in Lexington County after a pilot project received rave reviews Tuesday from County Council members.

A one-year test of the plan began last fall in neighborhoods on the north side of Lake Murray. Work at another 24 homes is in progress.

County development officials reported problems at 41 homes – mostly overgrown landscaping – are cleaned up.

The plan allows county officials to crack down on dwellings with exteriors in poor repair, overgrown lawns and stagnant water in swimming pools.

Many requirements are similar to those in half of the county’s 14 municipalities.

Supporters call that a promising start. “It’s turning out better than thought,” Councilman Phil Yarborough of Irmo said.

Some council members urged extending the property upkeep standards to commercial sites as well as neighborhoods and applying the requirements to much of the West Columbia area.

Some council members hope to put the plan in place permanently to prevent dilapidated homes and businesses in the Chapin, Irmo, St. Andrews and Dutch Fork areas as well as a few neighborhoods north of Lexington.

“It’s a sad thing that we have to address that, but this is having a positive impact,” Councilman Johnny Jeffcoat of Irmo said.

Other council members suggested extending the plan to most of the area inside I-26 around West Columbia.

But council chairman Todd Cullum of Cayce urged caution on further expansion.

“We know we want to keep rural areas from being subject to urban rules,” he said.

This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 6:43 PM with the headline "Lexington County looks at expanding anti-blight plan."