Horry County Planning Commission adopts 10‑year capital improvement plan, impact-fee study and several text amendments

The Horry County Planning Commission on May 7 adopted a 10‑year capital improvement plan and voted to adopt the county’s impact‑fee study, and also approved multiple routine rezonings and text amendments.

Staff presenter Jamie reviewed the FY27 capital improvement plan and a 10‑year spending picture that included a FY27 projected expenditure total of $155,400,000 (after second‑reading adjustments) and a 10‑year projected sum of about $719,300,000. Major FY27 line items listed by staff included public safety facilities ($10.8 million for FY27 and roughly $260 million projected over 10 years for public safety projects), general government facilities ($14 million in FY27; $71.5 million projected over 10 years), hospitality projects (roughly $93.8 million in FY27), and transportation and parks investments. Jamie told the commission the plan would maintain the county’s existing debt millage and the proposed projects draw on a mix of general obligation bonds, hospitality bonds, impact fees and other funds.

The commission approved the planning commission action to adopt the CIP (staff noted no public speakers on that agenda item) by voice vote. The planning commission also voted to adopt the impact‑fee study; staff said the county has collected impact fees since FY22 and reported approximately $40 million in total impact‑fee revenue through March with a fund balance near $24 million and roughly $17 million available for appropriation. County council has already completed two readings on the ordinance adopting the fees; the planning commission’s vote adopted the technical study that ties to the comprehensive plan.

Separately, the commission approved a rezoning to allow a new Calvary Chapel facility and youth center (rezoning 16.89 acres to RE4 on Ronald McNair Boulevard) after several church representatives spoke in favor; the motion carried. The commission also approved a package of text amendments that included consolidating hospital-related uses into the health‑care definition, allowing accessory outdoor storage in the PA‑1 district, permitting vehicle sale/rental/lease in commercial centers under standards, and clarifying who may initiate official zoning‑map amendments.

Votes at a glance (items recorded in the transcript): - Capital improvement plan (FY27 and 10‑year): motion approved (voice vote). - Impact‑fee study: planning commission adopted the study (voice vote). - Rezoning to RE4 for Calvary Chapel (Ronald McNair Blvd): motion approved (voice vote). - Text amendments (hospital definition, PA‑1 storage, vehicle sales in commercial centers, zoning‑map clarification): motions approved (voice votes).

Why it mattered: The CIP and impact‑fee study set the county’s multi‑year spending and revenue assumptions and authorize the study and projects that will feed council appropriations. The text amendments change zoning rules that affect future development approvals. Records in the transcript show staff presented funding breakdowns and program lists, but the commission’s approvals were taken by voice vote and individual roll-call tallies are not recorded in the transcript.

What the record does not show: The transcript records the planning commission adopting the study and plan but does not include a recorded roll-call vote or an itemized timeline for when projects will be started; project timing will depend on capital project management steps and future council appropriations.

Sources: Staff presentation of the FY27 capital improvement plan and 10‑year projections, impact‑fee study presentation, and voice votes recorded in the May 7 Horry County Planning Commission meeting transcript.