Lexington County’s Planning Committee voted to retain a 6‑units‑per‑acre limit for the residential detached limited category and to include ponds and water areas in density calculations, and approved concurrency reviews for three residential developments.

The committee returned Ordinance 25‑006 to additional consideration after earlier debate and amendments. Community development staff recapped changes under discussion, including removing special exception requirements for residential detached limited (patio homes), reverting voting authority for some matters to the Board of Zoning Appeals, adding residential detached limited to concurrency reviews similar to duplexes and townhomes, and changing density calculation methods including how water bodies and impoundments are treated in net acreage.

Council members debated several options and a motion carried to retain the residential detached limited maximum at six units per acre and to include ponds and water areas in exact acreage density calculations. Robbie Derrick (community development) explained that the county uses exact acreage for density and open space calculations rather than rounded figures; the committee’s motion would use exact acreage and count water areas owned by the property into the acreage calculation. Council member Todd Cullum made the motion; Cliff Fisher seconded it. The transcript records the motion passed by voice vote.

The committee also considered Ordinance 25‑007 (amendments to Lexington County Land Development Manual Chapter 6, erosion prevention and sediment control, allowable disturbed acres) focused on the Chapin area. Staff and councilwoman Charlie Wessinger said additional work remains and no changes were presented; the item was deferred with staff continuing work ahead of a public hearing scheduled for November.

On concurrency reviews, the planning committee voted to recommend council approval to proceed with engineering, permitting and site review for three residential projects: Edmond Highway Track (single‑family, 34 units, 11.5 acres), Rocky Point Residential Subdivision (single‑family, 15 units, 7.7 acres) and Rutledge Place Townhomes (attached townhomes, 10 units on 2.5 acres). Staff noted planning commission recommendations (each 9‑0) and that fire/EMS/solid waste/sheriff had completed their reviews with no objections. Motions to approve the concurrence reviews were moved and seconded and carried, and staff will proceed with engineering and permitting as recorded.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to return detailed wording and agreed to keep working on the Land Development Manual amendments; the ordinance and concurrence approvals will appear in follow‑up documents and permitting workflows.