Horry County staff recommends continuing to accept developer-built roads; committee approves 2.72 miles into county maintenance

County engineering staff recommended that Horry County continue to accept new roadways into the county maintenance system when they meet established county standards, citing a cross-jurisdictional survey showing the majority of surveyed counties accept new roads. Staff acknowledged two counties in the survey (Georgetown and Anderson) are temporarily not accepting new roads because of revenue shortfalls.

During the presentation staff said accepting roads that meet county standards ensures long-term maintenance and public-safety oversight, and recommended continuing the county’s current practice. Committee members asked whether the state Department of Transportation could take over new subdivision roads; staff replied SCDOT sets mileage caps and will not automatically take over new local subdivision streets.

On a related item the committee approved a resolution accepting the roads and drainage in Chestnut Farms In Pines Phase 1 and Richfield phases 4, 5, 6 and 7 into Horry County’s maintenance system. Staff described the submitted work as designed and built to county standards and stated the total coming into the system is 2.72 miles. The motion to accept the roads was moved and the committee approved the resolution by voice vote (recorded on the transcript as “Aye”).

Committee members also discussed possible advocacy for increased state funding (including a gas-tax update) to improve the county’s ability to take on and maintain additional miles.

The committee did not take further action beyond the acceptance resolution and moved to the next agenda item.