Island Green Phase 4B buffer variances approved after developer agrees to ditch maintenance

The board approved variances for buffer widths on Island Green Phase 4B, a proposed 85-townhome project, after developers and Horry County stormwater staff agreed to clean and potentially pipe a long-neglected drainage ditch before construction.

Cassidy Callahan, the project's engineer with Venture Engineering, said the ditch that runs the length of the property has not been properly maintained for decades and that piping or maintenance is necessary so water can reach the downstream wetland. She told the board the property owner agreed to maintain the ditch before any site construction. A HOA representative, Bob Zeller, testified that multiple Island Green HOAs had been consulted and supported the variance because addressing the drainage problem was their priority.

Board members questioned whether a five-foot buffer could sustain the proposed plantings long-term; the applicant said a landscape professional would advise plant selection and maintenance plans. After discussion and an affirmative roll-call, the board approved the variances with standard conditions that include required planting counts and stormwater coordination.