City plans major zoning changes amid community concerns

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposal to rezone a property currently designated for low to medium density residential use to highway commercial, which would allow for the establishment of a commercial daycare facility. The Planning Commission is set to hold public hearings on both the future land use map amendment and the rezoning request on October 3rd, with a second hearing scheduled for October 21st.

The applicant's request comes as the existing zoning does not permit commercial daycare facilities under the current residential designation. The proposed change has raised concerns among council members regarding the potential impact on the residential integrity of the surrounding neighborhood. Some officials expressed apprehension about expanding commercial uses into an established residential area, fearing it could lead to further encroachment of commercial properties.

During the discussion, it was noted that the property in question is bordered by highway commercial zoning on two sides, which complicates the decision-making process. The possibility of designating the property as professional zoning, which allows for a mix of commercial and residential uses, was mentioned as an alternative that could mitigate concerns about the impact on the neighborhood.

In addition to the daycare proposal, the meeting also covered requests for annexation and rezoning of several parcels of land near Highway 378 and Highway 501. One request involves annexing approximately 3 acres of land to rezone it from Horry County Highway Commercial to City of Conway Light Industrial District, which would facilitate the construction of a new facility for an existing HVAC business. Another request involves annexing 4.5 acres of property on Highway 501 to rezone it from Horry County Limited Industrial District to Highway Commercial, aligning with the city's future land use plans.

The Planning Commission will review these proposals and provide recommendations to the council, which will ultimately decide on the zoning changes. The outcomes of these discussions could significantly shape the commercial landscape and residential character of the affected neighborhoods.