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Residents and builders clash at Lexington County hearing over proposed jump in land‑clearing limits
Summary
A public hearing on Nov. 18 drew hours of testimony as supporters from the building industry backed ordinance 25‑07’s higher disturbed‑acre thresholds (with added BMPs) while hundreds of residents warned the change — and the unexplained appearance of a 75‑acre option in a draft — risks stormwater, Lake Murray water quality, traffic and schools. The council did not vote; additional readings and Planning Commission review are pending.
Lexington County held a lengthy public hearing on Nov. 18 over ordinance 25‑07, a proposed amendment to the county’s land development manual that would raise allowable disturbed acreage for residential projects and change the review process for larger sites.
County staff described the proposal as a measured, process‑driven change. Team development director Derek told the council the text would raise the baseline residential disturbance threshold modestly (from 20 to 25 acres) and allow up to 50 acres with an expanded master plan and a disturbance stabilization agreement that includes additional best management practices (BMPs). He said projects over 50 acres — and up to 75 in the draft language — would require review by the Stormwater Advisory Board and potentially by council after Planning Commission consideration.
Supporters from the building industry said the change would speed construction and reduce repeated mobilizations, which they said lowers costs and shortens exposure of sites to weather. "When a project is submitted through the process for permit, the…
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