It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Ballentine-Shealy House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Chapin, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Crooked Creek Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Chophouse of Chapin or visit Lindler Cove, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Chapin, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Chapin, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Chapin, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
It’s been about nine months since Zesto of Chapin closed after 18 years of operation. Many residents who drive by the building nearly every day have been sad to see such a beloved spot unused as it sits in the middle of town at 1250 Chapin Rd. However, that won’t be the case much longer.Glen and Janee Henderson have just begun to bring new life into the place, as they prepare to open The Shack. Although the couple doesn’t have an exact opening date yet for the restaurant, they plan to welcome Chapinites in about two-...
It’s been about nine months since Zesto of Chapin closed after 18 years of operation. Many residents who drive by the building nearly every day have been sad to see such a beloved spot unused as it sits in the middle of town at 1250 Chapin Rd. However, that won’t be the case much longer.
Glen and Janee Henderson have just begun to bring new life into the place, as they prepare to open The Shack. Although the couple doesn’t have an exact opening date yet for the restaurant, they plan to welcome Chapinites in about two-to-three months.
The final menu is still in the works, but Glen Henderson said The Shack will offer a balance of crowd favorites (like pizza) along with healthy options and original items different from other local restaurants. The Hendersons, who moved to Chapin from England in 2021, also plan to throw in a couple dishes with a bit of English flair.
“We want to do something for the community,” Janee Henderson said. “We’ve owned restaurants before and done a lot of different things. But I enjoy food and I enjoy people. We’re excited to be here and bring something to the town and be part of the community.”
The Shack will have an indoor seating capacity of about 60, a nine-seat bar and additional outside seating. The restaurant’s slogan, “Awesome Food. Lake Attitude,” is meant to represent their casual, fun, family-oriented vibe. The shack-like decor inside will add to the relaxed lake atmosphere. Crooked Creek Art League will be designing a mural for the side of the building.
The Henderson family has already hit the ground running with renovations and said they’re looking forward to bringing their new restaurant to the area. “We want families to come and see us, have a good time and understand what we can bring to the table,” Glen Henderson said. “Zesto’s was here for 18 years and they were well known in the community, and the lady who owned it before has really been great to us. I’d like to think that people would come and support us and keep coming back for years.”
In addition to the parking that was utilized for Zesto on both sides of the building, the lot on the right side will be expanding further out into the preexisting paved area to offer more spots.
Announcements will continue to be made weekly regarding the progress of the restaurant on The Shack’s Facebook page.
Residents are pushing back against a proposed development, weary of more new houses coming into the Chapin area.Spread between Lexington and Richland counties, the proposal would add 106 homes on 102.6 acres between Forty Love Road and Island Trail. Although it’s early in the planning process, neighbors worry it will add to development around Lake Murray that has increasingly become a headache for current residents.Neighbor Alex Dial ...
Residents are pushing back against a proposed development, weary of more new houses coming into the Chapin area.
Spread between Lexington and Richland counties, the proposal would add 106 homes on 102.6 acres between Forty Love Road and Island Trail. Although it’s early in the planning process, neighbors worry it will add to development around Lake Murray that has increasingly become a headache for current residents.
Neighbor Alex Dial posted a petition online trying to rally opposition to the development.
“The region is already overcrowded, and the sewer system is insufficient to handle more residents,” the petition says.
“Additionally, the current road infrastructure cannot support an increase in traffic. We are also concerned about the environmental impact on the lake, the stress on already over crowded schools and the cemetery occupying the area of land in question.”
Dial told The State that while the lakeside area has grown in popularity, the area’s rural infrastructure has not kept pace with the influx of new construction and newer residents, a common complaint in this fast-growing county.
“Growth here has really just gotten ridiculous,” said Dial, himself a Columbia native. “All the roads are backcountry roads. Island Trail is a two-lane road not built for anything like this.”
“You can’t get around as is,” he added.
In addition to the nearly 500 people who had signed the online petition as of Tuesday, Dial estimated a couple hundred more signatures have been collected by volunteer canvassers going around the area.
“When you tell them what it’s for, they say, ‘Oh yeah, I’ll sign,’” Dial said. “I have not had one person who is for all this growth.”
Dial said he even got a signature from a resident who moved from New York eight months ago, “and now he thinks they’re growing too fast.”
He hopes the group will have a chance to make their concerns known about the project. Currently the plans are in the “sketch” phase, Lexington and Richland planning officials told The State, with more specific plans not yet submitted for formal consideration. Two separate plans submitted would build 70 homes on the Lexington County side of the line and 36 on the Richland County side.
Initial approval lasts for a period of two years, during which preliminary plans for the site can be submitted and considered, with the potential for short-term extensions for up to five years, Richland County’s planning and zoning office said. The two plans will be considered separately by the two counties, but the two offices will coordinate on the site’s engineering and traffic needs.
Lake Murray has seen a clutch of new developments move into the area in recent years, and an accompanying push of opposition from some residents. Lexington County even imposed lake-specific protections for the area at the end of 2021.
Attempts to reach the developer of the property before publication were unsuccessful. Maps online show the largely wooded area includes a marked cemetery, but it’s unclear what will happen to the area when the property is developed.
The State
Bristow Marchant covers local government, schools and community in Lexington County for The State. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2007. He has almost 20 years of experience covering South Carolina at the Clinton Chronicle, Sumter Item and Rock Hill Herald. He joined The State in 2016. Bristow has won numerous awards, most recently the S.C. Press Association’s 2023 faith reporting award for his coverage of the breakup of the United Methodist Church.
What do you want Chapin to look like? It’s a question that’s driving a recent shakeup of the town’s rules and guidelines for new construction.Chapin’s town council gave its approval in December to tweaked design standards for buildings in the town of about 2,000 near Lake Murray. The new rules tighten restrictions on how buildings can look in much of the town in an effort to create a unified appearance for Chapin.Previously, buildings were required to have at least 50% of their facade in brick or stone, ...
What do you want Chapin to look like? It’s a question that’s driving a recent shakeup of the town’s rules and guidelines for new construction.
Chapin’s town council gave its approval in December to tweaked design standards for buildings in the town of about 2,000 near Lake Murray. The new rules tighten restrictions on how buildings can look in much of the town in an effort to create a unified appearance for Chapin.
Previously, buildings were required to have at least 50% of their facade in brick or stone, but the ordinance adopted Dec. 17 ups that requirement to 75% throughout the downtown area and the corridor coming into town along Columbia Avenue from Interstate 26.
“It’s supposed to be the most traditional kind of architecture, it’s supposed to be primarily brick. ... That’s traditional Chapin,” Town Administrator Nicholle Burroughs told Town Council on Nov. 19. “Some have interpreted that as 50% brick in one section, and for the rest they won’t use high-end materials, they’ll do vinyl or metal.”
Under the expanded requirements, buildings could still have metal accents or wood shingles, Burroughs said. Existing buildings would only be required to meet the new standards if they build an addition of 20% or change uses.
The new rules also prohibit frontage parking in front of businesses in the town’s commercial areas, in an attempt to stop parking lots from separating business entrances from the street.
“We want to see brick facades and not a lot of parking lots,” Burroughs said. “It creates a cleaner corridor.”
In cases where the zoning administrator determines there are “incompatible uses” on neighboring lots, the town can require a six-foot wall or eight feet of vegetation between properties.
The Board of Zoning Appeals will decide if a variance is needed for any individual property, and special exceptions will be needed for uses such as manufacturing facilities, junkyards, shooting ranges and golf courses.
The town already requires an approved color palette and tree species at new construction in the town.
“Chapin wants to be different and our market is different,” Burroughs told Town Council. “What this is impacting is national brand franchises and to be honest they have millions. Chapin can be different and can choose to look nice. Don’t want to go to McDonald’s or Starbucks or Bojangles and think it looks like everywhere else.”
The State
Bristow Marchant covers local government, schools and community in Lexington County for The State. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2007. He has almost 20 years of experience covering South Carolina at the Clinton Chronicle, Sumter Item and Rock Hill Herald. He joined The State in 2016. Bristow has won numerous awards, most recently the S.C. Press Association’s 2023 faith reporting award for his coverage of the breakup of the United Methodist Church.
Chapin hopes to tighten up its rules to cope with new development on the north shore of Lake Murray.At its December meeting, the Chapin Town Council gave initial approval to new impact fees for town water customers.The fee will be assessed on any new use that will result in more water or wastewater entering Chapin’s system, whether from a residential or commercial development.“Impact fees ... are to be specifically used for the upgrading and/or expansion or improvement of the transmission system and treatment...
Chapin hopes to tighten up its rules to cope with new development on the north shore of Lake Murray.
At its December meeting, the Chapin Town Council gave initial approval to new impact fees for town water customers.
The fee will be assessed on any new use that will result in more water or wastewater entering Chapin’s system, whether from a residential or commercial development.
“Impact fees ... are to be specifically used for the upgrading and/or expansion or improvement of the transmission system and treatment facilities, to supply additional capacity to serve development of vacant property or redevelopment of properties served by the system,” the water fee ordinance reads.
Revenue from the new fees may not exceed the costs of any of the improvement projects. New residential units will pay a fee of $7.17 per gallon capacity.
The impact fees will be paid prior to any permits being issued to operate, and are payable to the town utility department in advance.
That was important for Chapin, Town Administrator Nicholle Burroughs said, because a majority of Chapin’s 6,000 water customers are outside the town limits, and Chapin depends on coordination with Lexington County for handling any new developments in the town’s surrounding neighborhood.
“It was important that we had something within our control, so the utility department can manage it,” Burroughs told the town’s elected officials.
An impact fee study conducted by Chapin estimates that an additional 2,900 homes will be built in the service area in the next 10 years, and the area’s population will grow by 6,670.
The Lake Murray area has seen some of the state’s fastest growth in recent years. Last summer, the town imposed water-use restrictions in order to upgrade its aging water and sewer infrastructure, primarily by restricting sprinkler usage between 4:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. due to “extremely high water-use demands” during the morning hours, the town said at the time. Similar restrictions were put in place in the late summer of 2023.
Chapin buys water from the city of Columbia in order to serve the Amicks Ferry Water System, with a 250,000-gallon tank and a wastewater treatment plant that processes 2.4 million gallons per day. The system has an estimated $47 million in needed improvements to the system, Burroughs previously told The State.
The State
Bristow Marchant covers local government, schools and community in Lexington County for The State. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2007. He has almost 20 years of experience covering South Carolina at the Clinton Chronicle, Sumter Item and Rock Hill Herald. He joined The State in 2016. Bristow has won numerous awards, most recently the S.C. Press Association’s 2023 faith reporting award for his coverage of the breakup of the United Methodist Church.
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