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Planning panel recommends denial of reclassification that would allow school exit onto Allendale Drive
Summary
The commission recommended that County Council not reclassify Allendale Drive to allow Great Collegiate Academy an exit‑only athletic/event access, citing neighborhood safety and enforceability concerns despite the school's public‑safety rationale.
Lexington County planning commissioners voted to recommend that County Council deny a street‑classification change that would have allowed Great Collegiate Academy to build an exit‑only access to Allendale Drive for athletic events and emergency egress.
Staff explained the change would reclassify Allendale Drive from R‑L‑4 to a local street classification that would permit the school to connect for event exit only. School representatives said the gated access would be used for emergency egress and to relieve congestion during large events; a consultant told the commission the gate would remain locked and would be opened only when necessary.
Neighborhood speakers and several commissioners said they were unconvinced the access could be kept emergency‑only and expressed concerns about traffic, pedestrian safety and potential noise. One commissioner argued that, regardless of intent, the classification change would permit normal access and the county would have limited means to enforce an emergency‑only restriction.
After discussion, a motion to recommend that County Council not approve the reclassification passed unanimously.
What happens next: the planning commission's recommendation to deny will be forwarded to County Council for final action; school representatives may return to seek alternative access or discuss mitigation measures.
