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BZA approves variance to allow second mobile home at 341 Buck Smith Road in Leesville
Summary
The Lexington County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a variance to permit a second mobile home on a 0.65-acre parcel at 341 Buck Smith Road so the owners can house and care for an elderly resident, with conditions and neighbor concerns noted.
The Lexington County Board of Zoning Appeals on May 1, 2025, voted unanimously to approve a variance allowing an additional mobile home on a 0.65-acre parcel at 341 Buck Smith Road in Leesville, permitting two dwelling units where the ordinance’s density standard effectively limits two units per acre.
The variance will allow Donna Jernigan to have a separate, 865-square-foot mobile home placed behind an existing mobile home on the property so that a family member can live nearby and assist with daily care. Tanner Meeley, zoning assistant with Lexington County, presented the request as zoning variance 04-25 and described the parcel as in the RD (Restricted Development) district in the county’s Western planning area.
The request matters because the county’s current density standard allows two dwelling units per acre; the Jernigans asked the board to permit two units on 0.65 acres so family caregivers can be co-located. Elizabeth Harmon, the applicant, described the planned placement as intended to “give my mother her own space and privacy, but still be able to provide care for her,” and said the family has obtained a DHEC permit for the septic system.
During the hearing, Donna Jernigan said she is on Social Security and disability and asked to return to live on the property; her son Roy D. Jernigan said he has coordinated the septic and site layout and has been maintaining the property. Neighbors raised technical concerns: John E. Gant, who lives at 325 Wooden Bridlegate (rental), asked for confirmation that drainfield and well separations meet DHEC standards and reported surface drainage and debris at the shared property line that he wants addressed.
Meeley noted the county’s setback rules for mobile homes and that the applicant’s site plan showed setbacks of about 21 feet from the rear, 38 feet on the north, 82 feet on the south and roughly 59 feet between the new and existing mobile homes; staff also confirmed a standard 10-foot side setback for mobile homes. Roy D. Jernigan told the board he had coordinated with Santee Cooper and county staff about a culvert to improve access for the additional vehicle expected.
Board members made a motion to approve the variance and, when called, Charles Kaufman, Debbie Heim, Kevin Eubanks, Chairman Keith Moore, Vice Chairman Bruce Innocenti and Travis Spainhour all voted in favor. The motion passed.
The decision is a site-specific variance. Staff told the applicants the zoning department would follow up on technical items, including addressing the neighbor’s drainage concern and final permitting steps. The family has already obtained a DHEC permit for the septic installation, as presented at the hearing.
