Board allows church and cemetery to be split into separate parcels, reduces multiple setbacks

The Horry County Zoning Board of Appeals approved a subdivision for Poplar Community Church and cemetery at 5095 Highway 701 North and granted several variances tied to setbacks and parking.

Dale Grunsky, speaking for the applicants, said the requested change separates the church and cemetery into distinct legal entities so the cemetery can add plots where appropriate. He told the board that a 60-foot setback, as shown on the map, would cut through the church building and the cemetery and that a reduced 25-foot setback was necessary to preserve burial space. "We just want to separate legally the cemetery from the church so that they're a separate entity," Grunsky said.

Staff noted SCDOT acquired a small frontage strip in 2021 and clarified which lots required variances. Board members cited exceptional conditions — especially the existing graves — and approved reduced setbacks on separate motions, including reducing the setback facing Highway 701 and Cemetery Road. The board also approved waiving required cemetery parking on the condition the church's parking serve cemetery visitors. The applicants were reminded to document parking arrangements and to record the approved lot configuration in the board order.