Off a two-lane road near Interstate 26 heading into Chapin, four well-manicured lanes jut off, leading to nothing but vacant lots. That’s likely to change. Plans for part of the long-gestating Brighton live-work-play development are starting to move forward, with developers working with Chapin to approve and annex the project that would bring 398 homes to the town of nearly 2,000 along the shores of Lake Murray.
The plans also include various spots for businesses along with a walking trail. But the work part of the equation isn’t there yet, as the attached Chapin Business & Technology Park continues to sit vacant six years after being completed, with Lexington County having on the business as of 2020 and continuing to pay to maintain and light the space, and its elaborate sign and fountain, at a cost of nearly $200,000 last year. A small group of citizens was in attendance as Chapin’s Planning Commission offered feedback to developers earlier this month, relegated to watching via video from a satellite space due to A/C issues in the meeting room.
The audience murmured among themselves during the afternoon meeting, anxious about how such a large development could impact traffic and other issues. Austin Monts is the director of land acquisition for Mungo Homes, the developer behind the residential addition. He said he believes the town is ready for the project.
“This will attract, obviously, new folks,” Monts said, adding that also being able to “keep some people th.
