At its June 7 meeting, Lexington County Council voted unanimously to approve a 2022 Comprehensive Plan. The title of the plan is “Grow With Us: Responsibly Planning Lexington County.”

“The 2022 Comprehensive Plan is Lexington County’s effort to partner with community stakeholders and residents to collectively develop a plan on how to responsibly grow our county,” the county says in a news release. “This plan will lay forth a framework with which Lexington County and community leaders can use to manage growth for years to come.”

Outreach efforts to develop the plan — including public meetings and the formation of a steering committee of private citizens and local leaders — started in July 2020.

“This plan will serve as a guide for Lexington County as we move forward into the future,” County Administrator Lynn Sturkie is quoted. “We want Lexington County to continue to grow and prosper and with this plan in place, will we be able to prepare for and manage growth responsibly.” 

According to the draft plan available online, it is guided by the principle that “80% of new development should occur within growth areas identified on and consistent with the Future Land Use and Character Map,” which the plan lays out.

West Columbia Bakery to Close After More Than 40 Years

A West Columbia business open since 1979 will close next month.

Parkland Cakes, which bills itself as “South Carolina’s oldest wedding cake specialist,” will close at 1220 C Ave. in July, making way for a new bakery.

“I am so thankful for all of you who have supported our business, some for over four decades, and are almost like family. We will miss you,” Brenda Peake, who opened Parkland Cakes with Alice Godfrey, writes. “However, there is good news. A new locally owned business will be moving into our location and providing fresh bread and deli items for sale.”

That new bakery will be called Breads & Such, and it is set for a soft opening in August and a grand opening in September, according to its Facebook page.

Parkland Cakes posted that it is completely booked with final orders leading up to its closing.

Lexington Police Offer Box Fans to Those in Need

As the Chronicle went to press June 14, five of the next nine days were forecast to reach or exceed 100 degrees, with June 21 and 22 set to hit 104 and 105, respectively.

With temperatures reaching such heights, the Lexington Police Department issued a reminder that its Operation: Cool Down, which distributes box fans to those in need during the warmer months, continues after 13 years.

The department requires donations to keep the program going — these in-kind donations of box fans are eligible for tax deductions.

Those in need of a box fan can visit the department (111 Maiden Ln.) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“If a Town of Lexington resident has transportation issues, a Community Action Team (C.A.T.) officer may be able to bring a box fan to them at their residence,” the department says in a news release.

Direct questions to Sergeant Cameron Mortensen (803-358-1504).

Lexington Restaurants Highlighted for Pimento Cheese

Experience Columbia SC recently launched the latest edition of its Pimento Cheese Passport for the Columbia area, which allows people to log visits to pimento cheese hotspots and enter to win rewards and prizes.

Of the 17 stops, five are located in Lexington County.

In Lexington, Roy’s Grille (711 W Main St.), The Root Cellar (420 Columbia Ave.) and Cafe Strudel (309 S Lake Dr.) are included, joining two spots in West Columbia: the original location of Cafe Strudel (300 State st.) and Terra (100 State St.).

For more info and to order your passport, head to experiencecolumbiasc.com/pimento-cheese.