Divided Lexington

LEXINGTON COUNTY Council and the town of Lexington should resolve differences over a proposed landfill and work to avoid similar disputes in the future.

The county has sued to block a new landfill along U.S. 378, arguing that its waste disposal law should apply within the town’s limits and would prohibit the landfill. The county now acknowledges its law doesn’t apply within the town. Frankly, that’s a point the county never was going to win on.

Town officials see this as a victory and hope it means the lawsuit is coming to an end. But Lexington County officials, at least at this point, say the case is still active.

This mess began when the town, understandably wanting to grow, started strategically annexing land along 378 in the hope of priming it for development. It agreed to annex a low-lying piece of property to allow a landfill to move there, away from prime development land. But by annexing the land and allowing the landfill to move, the town was working against the county’s desire to limit landfills. The Department of Health and Environmental Control issued a permit for the new site and said the county doesn't have authority inside the town. In January, Lexington County sued.

If the town of Lexington prevails, dirt from the landfill is to be used to level a site for a $35 million shopping center anchored by a Target store.

But there is a larger issue at stake than which side wins or loses this case. The future of the town and county are intertwined. Those who live in the town of Lexington are also county citizens. Not only that, the two governments share common problems. As the town continues to develop and annex, more disagreements could arise.

Two sets of rules govern how adjacent property is used. At the town limits, that could result in incompatible development being forced to coexist. It also could increase the likelihood of disagreements between town and county. The two can avoid future controversy by devising a plan that outlines how land in common areas can be used.

Before they can do that, they must resolve the issue before them and agree to work together.