Residents oppose Allendale Drive access for Grey Collegiate; school says exit-only road improves safety

Lexington County Council held a public hearing Oct. 28 on zoning map amendment M25-01, a request to change the street classification of Allendale Drive from residential local 4 (RL-4) to a local road so Grey Collegiate Academy can construct a privately maintained access to its campus.

The School and its supporters said the access would be used only for exit traffic after athletic events and as an emergency ingress/egress. “This is exit traffic only just to get, number 1 our walkers will have a separate place to walk out,” said Dr. Brian Newsome, principal of Grey Collegiate Academy. School officials told council the private road would be built to county standards, gated, and maintained by the school; they asked for approval in time to construct over the winter break.

Neighbors said the change would alter the neighborhood’s character, increase noise and traffic, and risk safety for children and pets. “Our neighborhood has always been a quiet, family-oriented area,” said resident David Boykin. Zoe Stern, who lives two houses from Allendale, told council she can already hear events and described a disruption to residents’ sleep and pets: “I can hear the noise from my bed. I can’t fall asleep.” Residents submitted a petition with 18 signatures opposing the map amendment; the petition was entered into the public record.

School supporters, including coaches, teachers and parents, focused on emergency access. “We had a very unfortunate incident earlier this year,” said Kevin Heisey, Grey Collegiate athletic director, describing a situation in which faster ambulance access would have been critical. Coaches and staff said the additional exit route would help first responders reach the stadium and would be used sparingly after events.

Robbie Derrick, Lexington County community development director, told council the property lies in the Eastern Planning area (zoned in 1980) and that county right-of-way currently dead-ends near the proposed access; the school would need to construct and tie a new road into the existing right-of-way and meet county design standards. Derrick also said the county and school have discussed the design with public safety and public works staff.

The hearing drew multiple residents and school representatives. Opponents emphasized parking overflow, potential property-value impacts and continuous event noise; proponents emphasized student safety and limited, post-event use. The council opened the record for public comment and closed the hearing after speakers on both sides finished.

Status: the hearing on ordinance 25-14 (implementing M25-01) was held Oct. 28; the planning commission review and two additional readings are required before any zoning change takes effect.

Votes or final action were not taken on M25-01 at the Oct. 28 meeting; council received public comment and left the item pending further proceedings.

Ending: Council members did not vote on the map amendment at the meeting. If the council advances the proposal, staff said the school would be expected to meet county road-design standards, install a gated, exit-only access, and maintain the new roadway.