Area near I-26, US 1 agrees to join West Columbia

West Columbia won its bid Tuesday to add a square-mile area around I-26 and U.S. 1.

Annexation was favored 203-169 by residents of the area at a referendum, opening the way for their neighborhoods to become part of the Lexington County community by fall.

The decision came after West Columbia promised lower utility rates and faster response to calls for help from police and firefighters.

“It’s a win-win for all of us,” Mayor Bobby Horton said. “They’re going to be happy to be part of our city.”

West Columbia officials have no detailed analysis of what it will cost to serve the area, but say it doesn’t appear onerous

Police patrols will be expanded and an extra day of trash service added, officials said. For now, fire protection seems adequate.

“We’re currently at (staff) levels that could cover that area,” city spokeswoman Anna Huffman said. “We’ll add resources as needed.”

The annexation is a major step forward for city officials who want to, eventually, expand their community’s border west to I-20.

It’s also a significant boost for the city’s population, increasing it by 10 percent.

About 1,500 people live in the area, mostly in the Darby Place, Fox Glen, Stonewood and Westgate neighborhoods. There are 84 businesses, mainly stores.

An attempt to annex “a big chunk” of a developed area is unusual, according to Scott Slatton of the Municipal Association of South Carolina.

Springdale’s bid to take in much of the area was spurned in April 2015 amid complaints about too few services in exchange for higher taxes.

This story was originally published July 26, 2016 at 9:15 PM.