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Council advances rewrite of Waccamaw Riverfront District rules to require ground‑level commercial uses
Summary
Council approved first reading of an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that removes WRD subdistricts and requires mixed uses and ground‑floor commercial spaces along the planned river walk to preserve public access and stimulate pedestrian activity.
CONWAY, S.C. — The Conway City Council on Oct. 20 advanced a first reading of an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that would eliminate subdistrict distinctions within the Waccamaw Riverfront District (WRD) and require mixed uses and active ground‑floor commercial uses on properties that adjoin a future river walk.
Planning staff explained that WRD had been split into WRD‑1 and WRD‑2 by mapping colors and that the existing UDO lacks clear definitions distinguishing the two subdistricts. The proposed amendment removes the WRD‑1/WRD‑2 split and adds a requirement that properties adjacent to the river walk include a mixture of perimeter commercial uses at ground level, reserving residential uses for upper floors. Staff told the council that the change is intended to maintain public access and encourage pedestrian activity.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing Oct. 2 and recommended approval; staff also recommended approval. After a brief exchange about process, council voted unanimously to move the amendment forward on first reading.
The change also includes revisions to Article 4 use tables and other housekeeping edits to align permitted uses with the new mixed‑use requirement. Staff said the amendment was prompted in part by the city’s recent acquisition of roughly 2.24 acres zoned WRD‑2 where large portions do not have direct riverfront access, creating inconsistency under the current subdistrict approach.
Next steps: the ordinance was advanced on first reading and will return for subsequent readings and any required public hearings before final adoption.
