LEXINGTON, S.C. — As Lexington County continues to grow, county leaders quietly sought informal legal guidance from the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office on whether local schools can be included in a controversial development policy known as concurrency, according to documents obtained by News19.
Concurrency policies require developers to demonstrate that public services can support new growth before projects are approved. Those services typically include fire protection, emergency medical services and law enforcement. In Lexington County, however, the most contentious issue has been whether school capacity can be part of that review.
Records released through a Freedom of Information Act request show Councilwoman Beth Carrigg asked for guidance after questions arose about whether the county has the legal authority to involve schools in the process. School districts in South Carolina operate independently from county councils, which have no direct control over attendance zones, operations or enrollment decisions…