Georgetown County Council Delays Land Use Plan Amid Public Concerns

Georgetown County Council faced public pushback as they delayed the approval of the long-overdue land use plan for the Waccamaw Neck region, amidst concerns from residents and advocacy groups. The council, currently seven years behind schedule in updating the comprehensive plan, enlisted assistance from the Columbia-based firm Boudreaux to aid in the process after prior unsuccessful attempts.

Following a 4-3 vote by the Planning Commission last month, where the proposed update was met with opposition from numerous Waccamaw Neck residents who felt it did not adequately address the issue of high density in future developments, a reevaluation was deemed necessary.

One of the central concerns raised by citizens’ group Keep It Green was the potential addition of over 5,000 homes under the revised land use maps, prompting unease within the community regarding the direction of future development in the area.

Senior planner Ryan Bland from Boudreaux highlighted key aspects of the proposed changes to the land use plan during a recent council meeting, emphasizing the goal of reducing the prevalence of high-density zoning areas like the ‘general residential’ district, known for accommodating multi-family residences.

As discussions unfolded, the focus shifted to specific locations within the region, such as the northwest corner of Highway 17 and Waverly Road in Pawleys Island, where the current zoning allows for high-density development. Proposed revisions aim to reclassify such areas as ‘village center,’ promoting a blend of residential and commercial activities while restricting density to a range of four to eight units per acre.

The debate also touched on discrepancies between the existing zoning regulations and the updated land use maps, with arguments over the accurate representation of potential density changes arising from the proposed adjustments.

With tensions high and various perspectives at play, the county council anticipates a robust discussion on the matter in their upcoming session, reflecting the community’s deep investment in shaping the future landscape of the Waccamaw Neck.