Details for a proposed multi-use development in Lexington were unveiled this month, and not everybody’s a fan.

On May 11, Purty Property Co. announced plans for Sandpiper Square, a multi-use space set to take over a vacant lot that runs along Snelgrove Road and Old Chapin Road along one side of the Shoppes at Flight Deck, the shopping center centered around its namesake restaurant. The company is developing the property in conjunction with Montgomery Construction Company.

The development, expected to break ground in the last quarter of this year, was with resistance by some.

Reached by the Chronicle, Purty declined to immediately comment on the project.

“We appreciate your concern, but there seems to be a misunderstanding about the location of Sandpiper Square. Our development is situated on an empty lot that was previously underutilized,” Purty commented in response to public comments on its Facebook announcement delivered via the Flight Deck page. “We're not displacing any existing residents with this project as there are none on the project's site. Our mission is to enhance the area and create a vibrant, mixed-use community that benefits everyone in Lexington.”

“We're committed to responsible development and to contributing positively to our community,” Purty added. “We aim for Sandpiper Square to be a place where residents can enjoy a high quality of life, and businesses can thrive. We believe that with careful planning and open dialogue with community members, we can create a space that everyone can be proud of.”

The news was met with some intense reactions.

Some praised the project, while others complained about it exacerbating issues along the already congested two-lane Old Chapin Road and downtown Lexington traffic.

“Our partnership with the Town of Lexington and [the state Department of Transportation] involves comprehensive planning to ensure our projects, including Sandpiper Square, are aligned with the town's infrastructure development plans,” Flight Deck responded. “The objective is to create a harmonious balance between new developments and the necessary infrastructure improvements.

“The live/work/play concept of Sandpiper Square is designed to lessen the reliance on cars, fostering a walkable community that can help reduce traffic. This approach, we believe, will contribute positively to our town's growth, minimizing impact on the existing roadways.”

Purty also commented on the traffic situation.

“Our focus has been on effectively managing and mitigating the impact of this increase,” the company posted. “We’ve engaged traffic engineers and are actively implementing substantial improvements at Old Chapin Road. These enhancements aim not only to support the increased activity from Sandpiper Square but also to make access to the already bustling Shoppes at Flight Deck after and smoother.”

The post received more than 260 reactions in addition to almost 300 comments, with Flight Deck and Purty answering many questions posted by the community.

One of the commenters was Alicia Spires, executive assistant to the clerk to Lexington County Council, who elaborated about her views on the project to the Chronicle, comparing the shared renderings to the Market Common development in Myrtle Beach.

“From the pictures of what was posted, it looks very similar,” said Spires. “We have never had any issues being in the Market Common and that is a significantly larger town.”

Another commenter, Old Mill Chiropractic co-owner Andrea Nazarenko, compared the renderings to the idea of a “15-minute city,” where people can access urban services within a 15-minute walk or bike ride, helping people in these communities have quicker access to various services.