In a recent government meeting, the Conway City Council addressed the first reading of an ordinance to annex approximately five acres of property located on Highway 501 and rezone it from Horry County highway commercial to the City of Conway Light Industrial District. The proposal, prompted by a series of letters from the administration regarding properties that have become contiguous to city limits, was met with significant discussion among council members.

Miss Huxley presented the request, noting that the Planning Commission recommended the light industrial designation based on staff recommendations, as the current use of the property—a manufactured home sales business—does not align with permitted uses in the highway commercial district. The surrounding area is predominantly zoned light industrial, with nearby businesses such as Tyson Sign Company and Extra Space Storage having undergone similar zoning changes in the past.

Council member Mr. Goldfinch expressed concerns about the long-term implications of designating the property as light industrial, arguing that it could hinder future development and aesthetic improvements along the highway corridor. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a highway commercial designation to preserve the potential for future growth and development in the area.

In contrast, other council members highlighted the necessity of aligning the zoning with the existing use of the property and the future land use map, which designates the area for highway commercial use. They argued that zoning the property as light industrial could prevent the business from expanding its footprint, potentially limiting its operational capabilities.

After extensive debate, a motion was made to deny the light industrial designation in favor of highway commercial zoning. The motion received majority support from the council, indicating a preference for maintaining the corridor's commercial potential.

The meeting also included discussions on additional annexation requests for properties in the area, with several other ordinances for annexation and rezoning being presented and approved in first readings. These included properties in the Maplewood subdivision and College Park subdivision, all aimed at connecting to city water and sewer services and aligning with the future land use designations.

The council's decisions reflect a broader strategy to manage growth and development in Conway, balancing current business needs with long-term community planning goals.