Irmo Town Council rejected a proposal for a housing development near Shady Grove Road on May 19 after residents voiced their concerns about traffic, overcrowding and infrastructure.  

The ordinance would have rezoned 67.35 acres near 1424 Shady Grove Rd. to allow American Community Developers to build up to 200 apartment units, 90 senior duplex units and 40 single family homes.  

Shady Grove local Bryan Murdaugh presented a position to the council with over 1,200 signatures requesting the council slow down the development in order to conduct a complete traffic analysis and have proper discussion with local schools.  

Amy Barrows lives adjacent to the proposed development and said she understands the value of affordable senior housing but does not agree with the magnitude of the development next to such a busy intersection as the Shady Grove Road and Broad River Road intersection.  

“I would urge you to please consider the impact that we will have to deal with,” she said. 

American Community Developers Vice President Chris Young represented the company at the meeting. He said the project team had already consulted with the schools nearby and foresaw no significant impact on the schools.  

Council members asked several questions about the development and expressed their hesitation about the project.  

Mayor Bill Danielson described the town’s response to the development proposal as a “complete panic.” 

Councilwoman Phyllis Coleman commented on concerns by Irmo residents that the development would be Section 8 housing. Young said it is not a Section 8 project; it is a workforce housing project.   

According to congress.gov, workforce housing is made accessible to people based on either household income, the occupation of a household member or housing cost. Section 8 housing is for families with low income, seniors or people with disabilities to be able to afford private housing. 

Councilman Mike Ward also raised concerns with the overdevelopment of the Shady Grove Road area and the potential traffic issues that could follow.  

“I don’t see any conditions in which I would be supportive,” Ward said. “We’re going to turn into Lexington if we’re not proactive about this.” 

The ordinance was rejected in a 4-1 vote. Councilwoman Barb Waldman was the sole vote in favor of it passing. She could not be reached for comment.  

In other news 

The first reading of an ordinance to amend the town’s conditional uses for home occupations section was approved unanimously. The amendment clarifies allowed home occupations and allows accessory buildings on residential lots. The ordinance previously prohibited residents from running businesses out of their homes, garages or any other building on residential properties.  

The council unanimously approved a resolution to set aside approximately $81,900 of revenue from accommodations tax to be shared with organizations who applied for funding for 2027. The accommodations tax is applied at tourist attractions like the Okra Strut festival to help support the tourism industry in Irmo.  

The council renewed their contract with MPA Strategies for their public information officer services. They also renewed their contract with CC&I for building inspection and permitting services. A three-year contract with Asset Technology group to serve as the Town of Irmo Information Technology vendor was approved.  

Ed Lewis was assigned as the primary municipal judge for the town with Gary Morgan as the backup municipal judge for $5,000 annually to Lexington County. A two-month contract for a part-time human resources staff member was ratified. 

An executive session was held at the end of the meeting to discuss legal advice regarding a complaint against the town council.