Staff presents Imagine 2040 five‑year review; survey shows 799 responses and strong concern about flooding and transportation

Horry County planning staff presented the first draft of the Imagine 2040 five‑year review, including a new resilience element required by state law, updated land‑use maps and a closed public survey.

Planner Julian reported that the survey, open July through the end of September, received 799 total responses compared with 852 responses in the 2019 comprehensive plan survey. He said respondents skewed older and longer‑term (53% of respondents reported living in the county more than 11 years; 36% were age 65+). On topics: 82% of respondents rated transportation as fair or poor, 90% said flooding is an important hazard to address, and 76% cited development trends (expansion into natural areas) as the biggest resiliency threat.

Staff said public comment remains open and noted a public hearing on the draft would be held Nov. 6. The presentation included population projections, maps of major residential subdivisions and breakdowns of housing preferences that showed respondents favoring single‑family homes on larger lots and expressed anxiety about rapid development.

During public comment, a planner and resident who has worked on county planning urged the commission to consider how the county will accommodate an estimated 44,148 additional housing units by 2040 and whether the current pattern of approvals (countywide averages of 1.8–2.7 units per acre in recent approvals) supports resilient communities. Planning staff said the review and public input will be used to refine the draft before it goes to County Council.