Conway approves series of annexations and rezonings, updates towing fees, hires Matrix for public-safety study and OKs monitoring wells

Conway City Council voted unanimously July 20 to approve multiple annexations and rezonings across the city, adopt updated towing and storage charges, authorize temporary groundwater monitoring wells at the city shop, appoint the mayor pro tem as the alternate to the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study (GSATS) policy committee and select a consultant to create a public-safety strategic plan.

The measures move forward a mix of development and city services priorities at a time when staff said the city is handling an elevated number of land-use reviews. The annexations and rezonings will bring parcels into city utility service areas, align zoning with the city’s future land use map or hold parcels while broader area planning continues.

Planning staff told council the annexations stem largely from water service and utility requirements. “The annexation is being considered as a result of a requirement from public utilities,” staff member Miss Hux said during the meeting, describing a property on the same meter as a residence and the need for separate meters if the parcel remains outside city limits. “The property is within the city's water utility service area,” she added.

Votes at a glance

- DA2025-0721A — Annex ~2.22 acres at 1091 E. U.S. 501 and rezone from Horry County Highway Commercial to City of Conway Highway Commercial — final reading approved (motion carried unanimously).

- C2025-0721B — Annex ~0.79 acres at 150 Amber Lane and rezone from Horry County Commercial/Forest/Agriculture to City of Conway low-to-medium density residential (R-1 on annexation) — final reading approved (motion carried unanimously).

- ZA2025-0721H — Annex ~22.88 acres on Gardner Lacy Road; staff recommended tabling pending county discussions about a proposed multi-county business park — council voted to table the matter unanimously.

- ZA2024-0916C — Annex ~1.43 acres at 104 Gardner Lacey Road; council voted to table final action unanimously.

- ZA2025-0804A — First reading to annex ~224 acres across multiple streets to the Waccamaw Riverfront District (WRD 1 & 2) — first reading approved unanimously.

- ZA2025-0804B — First reading to rezone ~533 acres (Lake Busby) to conservation preservation — first reading approved unanimously.

- ZA2025-0804C — First reading to annex ~1.4 acres at the corner of Hwy 544 and Todd Boulevard for Highway Commercial zoning (applicant intends a Scooter’s Coffee) — first reading approved unanimously.

- ZA2025-0804D — First reading to annex ~1.81 acres on Cypress Circle at Conway Medical Center to Institutional zoning — first reading approved unanimously.

- CA2025-0804E — First reading to annex ~1.34 acres behind the Coastal Shopping Center and rezone to City of Conway Highway Commercial — first reading approved unanimously.

- CA2025-0804F — Amendment to Title 7, Ch. 4, Sec. 7-4-82.7 (towing and storage charges) to align with county/state updates — first reading approved unanimously.

Other council actions and administrative items

- Public safety strategic plan: staff recommended Matrix Consulting Group as the top-scoring bidder among qualified proposals. “The top scoring firm was Matrix Consulting Group,” staff member Mr. Rogers reported after the review committee scoring. Council approved selecting Matrix and authorized the city administrator to enter contract negotiations.

- Environmental sampling: Council granted permission for temporary groundwater monitoring wells to be installed on the city shop property to support an environmental assessment being done by a third-party contractor for an adjacent parcel. Staff said the temporary wells would take only a few days to install and that permanent wells would be requested only if needed.

- GSATS: Council approved a resolution naming the mayor pro tem as the alternate member to the GSATS policy committee, as required by that committee’s amended bylaws.

- City administrator contract: Following an executive session, council voted on terms for the city administrator’s contract (term described in the meeting as beginning July 1, 2025). A motion to approve the contract was made, seconded and carried.

Why it matters

Collectively the annexations and rezonings bring private parcels under city utility and zoning jurisdiction, aligning infrastructure and land-use planning with the city’s future land use map and area plans staff said it will develop for Red Hill and other locations. The public-safety consultant procurement sets a timetable and budgetary path for a strategy that staff said will guide staffing and service decisions for the police and fire divisions. The towing fee change brings the city’s code into line with county and state price schedules, and the environmental sampling authorizes short-term access that could inform future remediation or regulatory steps.

What’s next

Several of the items recorded only first readings and will return to council for final reading after planning commission recommendations and any required public notice. Staff said annexations that were tabled would be revisited after county discussions where appropriate.

Ending

Council meetings noted multiple unanimous votes. Staff materials filed with the agenda and the planning commission recommendations will accompany items scheduled for final readings at later meetings.