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Developers defer proposed 372-home plan on Old Rees Ferry after residents raise flooding, traffic and school-capacity concerns
Summary
A proposed development agreement and rezoning to allow up to 372 single-family homes on roughly 186.84 acres along Highway 905/Old Rees Ferry was deferred after residents testified about flood risk, traffic safety and strained school capacity; applicant said the DA includes buffers, no lots in the floodplain and a $5,800 per-lot fee.
A development agreement and rezoning request that would allow up to 372 single-family homes on about 186.84 acres along Highway 905 and Old Rees Ferry was deferred by the Horry County Planning Commission after multiple residents urged county staff to pause approvals and update stormwater and land-development rules.
Residents who live near the tract described worsening flooding, increased traffic and strained school facilities. "We need a moratorium to pause all new developments using current zoning or rezoning on Oldridge Ferry Road from 905 to the Waccamaw River," said Michelle Kemp, who lives on Oakmont Lane, citing regulatory floodways and timbering that she said affect stormwater flows. Several other speakers said Highway 905 cannot handle additional traffic and pointed to recent traffic deaths and long delays during peak periods.
The applicant’s agent, Shep Guyton, outlined concessions in the proposed development agreement: perimeter buffers ranging from 100 to 200 feet, no lots proposed in mapped flood zones, a 1.21-acre donation for an expansion of an existing fire station, and a per-lot fee of $5,800 that Guyton said would total "over $2,100,000" for the county. Guyton also said the acreage donation is for an expansion of an existing station, not a new staffed station.
Opponents emphasized infrastructure stress. "We're asking a lot out of our power, sewer and roads," Tom Woodruff said, describing reduced water pressure and congestion that make emergency response difficult. Stephanie Cannon, an Oakmont Lane resident and Kingston Elementary School employee, told the commission that local schools are nearing capacity and that additional housing could mean 4 extra children per classroom at Kingston without new facilities.
County staff summarized the development agreement and the rezoning request, including proposed off-site road improvements (turn lanes and a traffic signal) and the applicant’s offer to reserve right-of-way for future widening of 905. After public comment and a short exchange with the applicant, the developer asked that the item be deferred so staff and the applicant could address specific community concerns. The commission accepted the deferral.
What happens next: the applicant will return at a later meeting after staff and the developer attempt to address the safety, stormwater and infrastructure concerns raised; no formal vote on the DA or rezoning occurred at the July 2 meeting.
