The real estate and building industries are upset by Lexington County’s building moratorium.

Residents concerned about rapid growth’s effect on roads, emergency medical, fire and police services and schools are celebrating.

Building Industry Association of Central SC Executive Director Earl McLeod said County Council disregarded the law in banning real estate development, Page A3.

Councilwoman Beth Carrigg, who was among the 8 council members to vote for the moratorium, said she has been inundated with enthusiastic calls to ensure responsible growth.

“Lexington County is exploding in growth,” she said.

“In 2020, we approved 2,200 new lots. That’s 2,200 new homes, potentially 4,400 new cars on the road all the time.”

Opposed was lone councilman Glenn Conwell.

Central Carolina Realtors Association opposed the moratorium, saying it will negatively affect the local real estate market.

West Columbia builder Wade McGuinn proposed a public forum where all involved could discuss the problem of growth and come up with solutions.

In a statement that appears on Page A10 today, he said the county-wide moratorium was enacted without consulting the building and real estate industries.

He said a county-wide ban made no sense.

“Growth may not be good for Chapin but it’s great for Batesburg, Gilbert, Swansea, Gaston and west Lexington,” he said. ”We want to find solutions that work for EMS and everybody.

“We pay an inordinate amount of taxes, and the new homeowners are taxed as well. Why can’t they provide services for the taxes they are charging?”

Stevenson Adams Jr. of the SC Land Owners Association opposed the moratorium to deny the use and development of property.

Other critics said the county was infringing on property owners’ rights to sell their land to developers.

Concerned resident Watson Johnson said, “Many residents have been asking for relief from rapid development that has overtaxed the roads, schools and public services including police, fire and EMS.”