Lexington, South Carolina, September 24, 2025
News Summary
The Lexington County Council has rejected the Avanti Townhomes project due to concerns about local school capacity, particularly at Deerfield Elementary. The rejection stems from the worry that adding just 20 students would necessitate portable classrooms. The council did approve another development, the Victor Road tract, which will bring 196 single-family homes to the area. Local residents have expressed concerns about increased traffic from new projects, and further discussions on school capacity and infrastructure are expected.
Lexington, South Carolina – Townhome Development Rejected Amid School Capacity Concerns
The Lexington County Council has voted against the Avanti Townhomes project, which aimed to build 83 attached townhomes on 22 acres of land west of Longs Pond Road. The council’s decision was motivated by significant concerns regarding the capacity of local schools, particularly Deerfield Elementary, which is currently at full enrollment.
Officials from Lexington School District One highlighted that accommodating just 20 additional students in the elementary school would necessitate the installation of three portable classrooms. This prompted Councilmember Michael Bishop to align with the planning committee’s recommendation against the development, as they were the first to formally reject the proposal. Another council member, Darell Hudson, acknowledged the challenge of permitting new housing developments while local schools are already operating at maximum capacity, raising concerns about how to communicate these decisions to residents.
Despite the rejection of the townhome project, the council approved a different subdivision known as the Victor Road tract, which will feature 196 single-family homes within Lexington School District Four. Additionally, the proposal for Walker’s Trail Phase 2, which includes 118 townhomes in the Lexington High School zone, has been postponed for further evaluation, as this high school is already exceeding its capacity by more than 300 students.
Public hearings regarding the approved developments are expected to take place in the next 30 days. Meanwhile, the planning commission has recommended moving forward with two more development projects that could contribute over 300 homes to the area. These include the Terra Pines subdivision, which plans to add 119 single-family homes on 80 acres, and the Calley Crest development, which envisions 198 homes on 129 acres. Both of these developments will impact Lexington School District Four.
Residents of Lexington have voiced concerns, particularly regarding the anticipated increase in traffic due to new developments, especially along Fish Hatchery Road. The county is currently engaged in a concurrency review process to evaluate how new developments will affect essential infrastructure, including schools and emergency services.
A new proposal for a 600-home development is also under consideration, which would bring single-family homes up from 316 to 424 and introduce 200 duplexes in an unincorporated area of the county. Local residents have expressed worries about increased traffic and potential disruptions to the community. While school district officials do not foresee the immediate need for a new school to accommodate the proposed developments, future increases in housing may necessitate this development.
Council members have emphasized the importance of improving infrastructure to handle the expected rise in traffic due to ongoing and planned housing projects.
Key Highlights
- Avanti Townhomes project rejected due to school capacity issues.
- Deerfield Elementary School operating at full capacity, needing portable classrooms.
- Victor Road tract approved for single-family homes.
- Concerns raised about traffic from new housing developments.
FAQs
What was the outcome of the Avanti Townhomes project proposal?
The Lexington County Council voted against the Avanti Townhomes project, which proposed 83 attached townhomes on 22 acres west of Longs Pond Road.
What was the primary reason for rejecting the townhome development?
The rejection was based on concerns over strained local schools, particularly Deerfield Elementary, which is at capacity.
What developments were approved by the council during this meeting?
While the townhome project was rejected, council members approved another subdivision known as the Victor Road tract, which includes 196 single-family homes located in Lexington School District Four.
What is the current situation regarding school capacity in the area?
The current local school district does not anticipate needing to build a new school for the proposed developments, but a future increase in constructions could necessitate this change.
Key Features of Development Proposals
| Development Name | Type | Number of Homes | Area | School District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avanti Townhomes | Attached Townhomes | 83 | 22 acres | School District One |
| Victor Road tract | Single-Family Homes | 196 | N/A | School District Four |
| Walker’s Trail Phase 2 | Townhomes | 118 | N/A | Lexington High School Zone |
| Terra Pines subdivision | Single-Family Homes | 119 | 80 acres | School District Four |
| Calley Crest development | Single-Family Homes | 198 | 129 acres | School District Four |
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Lexington County Council Rejects Avanti Townhomes
- WIS TV: Developments Set to Bring Over 300 Homes to Lexington County
- The State: Lexington County Development Updates
- Cola Today: Local Government 101
- WIS TV: Lexington Housing Development Progress
- Wikipedia: Urban Planning
- Google Search: Lexington South Carolina housing development
- Google Scholar: Lexington housing development impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Planning Guide
- Google News: Lexington South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
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