Commission defers Horry County School District rezoning at Bruce Street after neighborhood concerns

The Conway Planning Commission on June 5 deferred action on a rezoning request from Horry County School District for about 10.97 acres at 1808 Bruce Street. The district asked to rezone the property to Institutional so it can use the site for a Rivertown complex housing adult education, limited childcare, a therapeutic learning center, JROTC, and district staff functions.

Planning staff told commissioners that the proposed Institutional zoning would allow the district’s proposed uses and that the city’s future land use map already depicts the parcel for institutional use. Commissioners and members of the public, however, raised concerns that Institutional zoning permits a wide variety of future uses — including hospitals, certain commercial or conditional uses, and other institutional activities — which could change the character of the adjacent neighborhood if the district ever sold the site.

Priscilla Fuller, who identified herself as a representative of Conway NAACP, said the surrounding community is stable and wants more detailed information and engagement before a rezoning is approved. “Our concern is the institutional rezoning,” Fuller said; she asked for fuller information on potential future uses and more direct outreach to neighbors.

Planning staff suggested text amendments or conditional approaches could provide more tailored allowances, but noted staff had not yet had full discussions with the school district. Commissioners agreed it would be appropriate to defer to allow staff and the school district to meet with neighbors and return with additional detail; the item will be back on the commission’s agenda at the next monthly meeting.