Horry County Council approves second reading for Imagine 2040 land-use change amid public flooding and traffic concerns

Horry County Council voted unanimously to approve second-reading amendments to the Imagine 2040 comprehensive plan and related rezoning for PIN 24900000051, changing future land use from rural/scenic/conservation and forest agricultural designation to rural communities and multi-residential.

Several nearby residents spoke during the public hearing, voicing opposition and concern. Bud Kortri, who said his land adjoins the parcel, asked whether off-site road improvements would be built and said he opposed the change: "there's over a 100 houses been built in 1 mile of me now," and he questioned whether a 10-foot buffer would be sufficient where past storms produced much larger overland flow. Anthony Carlonne told the council he had attended the planning commission and was initially prevented from speaking; he reported that recent storms dropped "four to six inches of rain" and that "I had 2 feet of standing water alongside my house" from a creek that backs up to the proposed development site.

Chairman and staff said they would follow up with county planning staff to address specific engineering or buffer questions raised by residents. The transcript records that no members of the public testified at the earlier planning commission meeting on the item, which county staff noted during the hearing.

Council action: After public comment and brief staff responses, the council recorded a unanimous vote to approve second reading of the Imagine 2040 map amendment and associated rezoning motion. The decision advances the amendment in the county's legislative process; the transcript does not record specific mitigation conditions or required off-site improvements attached to the motion at the meeting.