Lexington County will get a new ambulance, fire truck and lower residential zoning. 
Lexington County law enforcement, EMS and firefighters will also start to receive extra pay for working holidays. 
The new zoning ordinance that passed June 11, introduces new lower density zoning classifications including R-1 (1 house per acre), R-2 (2 homes per acre) and R-3 (3 homes per acre). 
There are also new road classifications for lower density zoning, Residential Local 1, Residential Local 2. 
County roads can be rezoned with these new classifications with a map amendment to allow for lower density housing developments. 
When the Chronicle asked Earl McLeod, executive director of the Building Industry of Central SC, how these changes will affect future housing developments, he refused to comment. 
“I am happy that we have more tools to use when planning for long term growth,” said Council woman Erin Long Bergeson. 
“That is what the updated zoning ordinance does for the citizens. It was a lot of work and some compromise and took quite a few years to get it passed.
“I’m glad to see Lexington County is taking a forward-looking approach to revisit their zoning ordinance. This will provide updated guidelines for all stakeholders to work together in planning development of their communities,” said Mike Whitehurst, a founder of One Chapin.
This group has over 1,000 members who are concerned about over-development in the Chapin area. 
The $552,200 fire truck will replace a 2001 ladder truck, Lexington County Fire Service Fire Chief Mark Davis said. 
The addition of the new $240,000 ambulance will help maintain the current fleet. 
“When we have ambulances that are taken out of service for maintenance, we must have other trucks that can substitute so that our level of service to our residents is not reduced,” said Lexington County EMS Chief Brian Hood.