The 2022 Comprehensive Plan provided guidance on the future and characteristics of residential growth within Lexington County. The eastern portion of the County was identified within the Comprehensive Plan as the potential for higher density, mixed use developments, compatibility with adjoining municipalities, and varying residential options. The purpose of this Article is to further promote opportunities for residential development near the Columbia Metropolitan area, to include West Columbia, Cayce, Springdale, Pine Ridge, South Congaree, and Lexington, as well as provide consistency with the Comprehensive Plan.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

The provisions of this Article shall only apply to the unincorporated areas of the County that have been included within the Eastern Residential District overlay. A map shall be published as a part of this Article and it may be revised following the same procedures contained in this Ordinance for zoning text amendments.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

Upon the effective date of these regulations, land use activities located within the Eastern Residential District can be developed or expanded only in accordance with the applicable restrictions contained herein.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

It shall be the responsibility of all responsible parties to establish and operate land use activities in accordance with the regulations set forth within this Article. The zoning permit shall be issued on the basis of compliance with all applicable local regulations.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

The regulations contained herein are in addition to other applicable ordinances or requirements, such as, but not limited to the Lexington County Landscape and Open Space Ordinance, Lexington County Building Code Ordinance, Lexington County Stormwater Ordinance, Lexington County Land Development Manual, Lexington County Subdivision Ordinance, other regulations set forth within this Ordinance, or SCDHEC regulations.

Whenever the provisions of the Article impose regulations that are in conflict with those of other County ordinances, other governmental agencies, or where developments include areas outside of this District, the more restrictive regulations shall apply.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

Land use activities identified within this Article shall conform to the standards set forth, in lieu of regulations and requirements found in other Articles of this Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

The underlying zoning district(s) and street classification(s) shall be utilized to determine allowed land uses within the Eastern Residential District. Sections 21.31 and 22.02 of this Ordinance should be referenced for a list of allowed land use activities per zoning district and street classification. Concurrency requirements to ensure adequate public services related to law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, solid waste management, and public schools shall not be reviewed within this District.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

Proposed land use activities shall adhere to various design standards and regulations within this Ordinance, unless otherwise referenced within this Article.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

Proposed land use activities shall adhere to the Buffering Restrictions covering height, buffers, setbacks, and screening as outlined in Chapter 3 of Article 2. In the development of a subdivision or other new development which may contain a variety of activities to include residential, internal buffering restrictions shall be determined by the design of the project, provided. The exterior of all structures shall be predominately of brick, stone, fiber cement, or similar masonry-type material, and the structure(s) comply with applicable building code requirements. Doors, windows, doors, garage doors, window walls, soffits, eaves, trim, porches, and decks are exempt from the exterior design standards. When determining relief of internal buffering restrictions, vinyl siding, concrete and/or cinder block exteriors are not acceptable form of exterior construction.

Internal shall be defined as those buffering restrictions intended to determine the relationship between properties contained wholly within the boundaries of the project. Buffering restrictions with respect to surrounding properties shall be determined as outlined in Section 23.60 of this Ordinance, as will any internal buffering restrictions not specified in documents and on plats recorded with the Register of Deeds. Setbacks from internal rights-of-way for roads to be constructed as part of the project shall only be reduced upon verification that minimum on-site parking standards are met and that the clear ingress/egress of travel lanes within the road system is maintained. The additional protection for Agricultural Operations is not required for residential-type developments within this District.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

Residential Attached - Multifamily land use activities proposed within this District are not bound by the additional regulations contained within Article 15 of this Ordinance, provided the following items are met:

a.

The underlying zoning district(s) will allow for this land use activity;

b.

The street classification being accessed will allow for this land use activity;

c.

The proposed residential density of the development conforms to the provisions set forth within this Article;

d.

The development conforms to the minimum buffering restrictions, as referenced in Section 23.60 of this Ordinance;

e.

The development confirms to all applicable driveway and street restrictions, as well as minimum parking standards, set forth in Article 2, Chapter 2 of this Ordinance;

f.

Architectural standards are only required as referenced within Section 23.50 of this Ordinance;

g.

All general and special rules, except for those relating to Agricultural Operations, set forth in Sections 23.61 and 23.62 of this Ordinance shall apply; and,

h.

The proposed development complies with all other applicable ordinances, laws, and/or regulations.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

In order to promote infill development and compatibility with existing development patterns within the Eastern Residential District, the method for calculating and the allowed maximum residential density prescribed in this Section shall be followed for new or expanding residential-type developments located within this District. Residential Detached (Limited) land uses shall follow the development guidelines and regulations as covered within Article 12 of this Ordinance.

142.41 Calculation of Maximum Residential Density

Density is to be measured as the total area of land within the property boundaries, including those which are permanently under water or subject to inundation, or which are contained in an easement, proposed roads, area dedicated for stormwater management, open space, amenity areas, or other similar grant of use. However, density calculations shall not include rights-of-way for existing road (reference Section 22.30 of this Ordinance).

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)

142.42 Maximum Permitted Residential Density

The maximum allowed density limits for residential land use activities shall be in accordance with the following street classifications. In the event a proposed development proposes access points to various street classifications, the street classification which has a lesser residential density allowance shall apply. There are no specific minimum residential lot sizes within this District. Lot sizes shall be determined by density and setbacks, along with other applicable development related design standards.

(Ord. No. 23-17, 6-25-2024)