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Council approves first‑reading annexation, rezoning and PUD first reading for Old Chapen Road development
Summary
On April 6, 2026, Lexington Town Council unanimously approved first readings to annex roughly 29.31 acres and to rezone and accept a planned‑unit development (PUD) application from Connelly Development proposing 50 townhomes and limited commercial space on Old Chapen Road, while staff and council discussed traffic improvements and parking exceptions.
Lexington Town Council on April 6 approved first‑reading actions to annex property on West Main Street and Highway 378 and to advance a planned‑unit development that would replace an existing garden‑style apartment complex with 50 townhomes and a small commercial frontage.
The annexation request (Lexington County Tax Map 00430‑7‑162) was presented by Council Member Gavin Smith; the council voted unanimously to accept first reading. Connelly Development asked to rezone roughly 9.63 acres at 2011 Old Chapen Road to permit a PUD that would include 50 townhomes and about 0.8 acres of neighborhood‑scale commercial office space fronting Old Chapen Road. Planning staff said the planning commission had recommended approval at its March 18 meeting.
Why it matters: the project reduces density compared with a previously vested plan. Planning staff and the developer said an earlier approval allowed about 104 residential units and 16 garage structures (roughly 11 dwelling units per acre) that were never built; the current PUD proposal lowers density to about 5.3 dwelling units per acre. Council members noted that the developer could exercise prior vested rights to build a larger project but is proposing a smaller development now.
Developer and site details: Mr. Connelly told the council the site currently contains 24 garden‑style apartment units (30 prior to a 2019 fire) and that the PUD would remove existing structures, redevelop the parcels and provide one primary access off Old Chapen Road. The developer said the project would extend an existing center turn lane on Old Chapen Road to accommodate new access and would coordinate with other nearby projects on corridor improvements.
Traffic and parking concerns: councilors questioned traffic flow, turn lanes, and parking standards. Planning staff said the proposal meets the town's parking requirements by unit but requests an exception to the town code's requirement for garage structures; the developer said garages would not be provided but parking counts required by code would be met. Council members stressed the need to harmonize site access and turn‑lane work with adjacent developments.
Buffers and setbacks: staff said front and side buffers would be modified under the PUD, while the rear buffer adjacent to existing single‑family neighborhoods would maintain a 100‑foot buffer and a 150‑foot setback required by the town zoning ordinance.
Council action and next steps: council approved the first reading(s) for annexation, rezoning and site plan/PUD consideration unanimously. These approvals were recorded as first readings; further public review and subsequent council action will be required before final adoption and building permits are issued.
Action on the record: councilors moved and seconded the first reading motions and approved each by unanimous voice/hand vote.
