Public comment period opens for plan amendment targeting manufacturing and freight hubs along major county corridors
By BC News Staff Writer
Horry County, SC — Horry County officials have initiated a public comment period for a newly released land-use proposal designed to establish dedicated industrial growth zones along major shipping and highway corridors. The Industrial Corridors Draft represents a major structural amendment to Horry County’s Comprehensive Plan. By introducing an Industrial Corridor Future Land Use framework, county planners aim to create intentional hubs for manufacturing, heavy logistics, and freight operations while insulating residential communities from the visual and environmental impacts of heavy industry.
The draft plan relies on a geographic suitability model that scores land based on proximity to major highway networks and existing railroads while factoring in distance from vulnerable wetlands, flood zones, and established neighborhoods. County leaders intend for the new blueprint to attract high-paying corporate and industrial jobs, diversifying an economic landscape that historically leans on seasonal tourism and retail trade. To prevent residential friction, the draft explicitly discourages new housing developments within or directly adjacent to the designated corridors, ensuring large, contiguous tracts of land remain available for commercial logistics.
The proposal also introduces a geographic strategy designed to preserve the distinct character of communities divided by the Waccamaw River. Under the guidelines, industrial proposals east of the Waccamaw River will be restricted to lower-intensity activities, including business parks, research and development centers, and light tech manufacturing. Conversely, heavier operations, such as logistics hubs, salvage operations, and asphalt production plants, will be concentrated within the rural upland corridors west of the river. Planners noted that several potential zones align with the proposed Interstate 73 corridor, though guidelines indicate that major developments dependent on that infrastructure will not advance until the interstate is built and operational.
Public feedback gathered during initial neighborhood workshops in April highlighted community concerns regarding industrial encroachment on historic downtowns, residential buffers, and local environmental quality. In response, planning staff adjusted the suitability model to enforce stricter criteria for prospective industrial zones. The formal window for written public comment will remain open until July 2, 2026, and area residents can review the complete planning text and map parameters directly through the Horry County government portal.
The first major opportunity for in-person public feedback will take place during the Horry County Planning Commission Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. inside the Horry County Government and Justice Center in Conway.
Following this initial review, the regulatory package is slated to transition to the Infrastructure and Regulation Committee for closer examination on August 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. If approved by the committee, the comprehensive amendment will move forward to the full Horry County Council for final legislative consideration.
© 2026 BCDollarSaver.com. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment