A lot of people have concerns about the growth in Chapin. Why is this? Because they don’t understand the positive benefits and the reality of growth. You are not going to stop growth but you may damage the future management of it. It will only take one generation to sell the farm and regret what you do to future generations.
The question is where and when do you stop the growth? Let’s go back in time, do you stop the American Legion Post 193, from being built, how about Publix from being built, how about Lexington Medical Urgent Care, Chapin High School expansion, Bojangles, The Chop House, Lake Murray Automotive, Zorba’s, J Peters, Daily Grind, Prisma Health, Palmetto Bone & Joint, Lowes Food, O’Reilly’s and last but not least Chapin Community Church along with many others? Chapin recently approved a cardiologist and a dermatologist to be built in Chapin. Chapin residents would have to go to Irmo, Columbia or Newberry for those services. Should we not have approved them? I could go on and on but you get the picture!! Who chooses who gets to be part of “Chapin’s Growth”? Do we pick and choose, or do you have zoning and ordinances in place to responsibly manage growth? This is currently what Chapin has in place to closely and consistently manage growth.
You could just say no to property owners and let them sue the town for keeping them from selling their property. This would cost the town thousands, maybe millions of dollars in legal fees which would lead to increased taxes to pay for lawyers since we would eventually lose this battle.
Some say just don’t issue sewer permits. Okay then, here comes the septic tanks and detrimental impact on our beautiful Lake Murray resources streams and tributaries. Also, Chapin sewer system is aging. It’s estimated that approximately $48 million will be needed over the next 20 years to maintain our system and keep it operating within state and federal guidelines. Without more customers the burden falls on existing customers, especially those outside of the town limits who will incur the blunt of the cost and see their rates rise exponentially.
What is needed is responsibly managed growth with proper zoning, annexation and infrastructure support. Chapin has in place all of this and more. If someone is truly interested in making sure the land they own remains as they desire, there are options for them such as land trust. Several individuals in the Chapin area have done this and I admire them for their commitment without the greed for monetary gain.
Chapin did not approve all of the subdivisions outside of our town limits, Lexington County did!!! Boykin Hills is the only subdivision approved in Chapin in the past 15-20 years. Lexington County recently approved an RV and boat storage facility down Primrose Lane. This would not have happened in the town limits of Chapin.
Chapin has improved the zoning requirement and codes to require responsible developments and future growth. We have worked with the SCDOT to widen Columbia Avenue and create a by-pass from Columbia Avenue over to Amick’s Ferry road. Future plans include possible extensions over to St. Peter’s Church Road. We have also required parallel access roads with commercial development to minimize traffic on the interstate area of Columbia Avenue.
We have worked with the Lexington School District V to develop a Master Plan for a town center on the old school property around the old Town Hall with an amphitheater and trails. Chapin now has designated zoning to protect the character and small-town image.
With growth comes the ability to keep utility cost low and stable. Without it, a few will incur the rising cost of maintenance and inflationary operational cost. With the now approved impact fees from Chapin’s Town Council (one of the few small towns in South Carolina to do so), developers will share in that cost with less burden on the residents.
Chapin needs to protect existing historical structures that enhance the small-town nature. I propose a nonprofit corporation to purchase properties to do just that. We can grow and protect the image of Chapin. It is impossible to stop growth without increasing costs to residents and incurring potential lawsuits from property owners.
Chapin’s goal has always been to provide the needed services to the residents and to enjoy an atmosphere of recreation, culture, education, faith and family. Don’t let a few nonresidents dictate the needs of the true residents of Chapin. I encourage you to get the facts and make sound decisions for the Town of Chapin.
Chapin Town Council Member
GREGG WHITE
