Horry County Infrastructure & Regulation Committee Meeting – September 9, 2025

The Infrastructure & Regulation Committee convened on September 9, 2025, to discuss and act on several items, including a proposed Rails-to-Trails project, amendments to landscaping and camping ordinances, a road funding update, and multiple resolutions. The committee directed staff on next steps for several items and approved all resolutions unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up for public input.

Discussion Items

• Rails to Trails (City of Myrtle Beach) – Fox Simons and Bill Mullins presented a proposal to railbank a 2.5-mile railroad corridor east of the Intracoastal Waterway and convert it into a multi-use trail. They emphasized federal grant eligibility, preservation of the corridor for future rail reactivation, and potential economic benefits. Committee members expressed general support but requested staff compile existing studies and concept plans before moving to full council. The committee agreed to bring the item back to the next meeting for further discussion.
• Camping and Park Regulations – Ray Dunham, Parks and Recreation Director, presented a proposed ordinance to prohibit camping on all county-owned property, amend boat landing rules (including prohibiting open alcohol containers and clarifying hours of operation), and enact new park rules (e.g., leash requirements, fire prohibitions). The committee voted to send the ordinance to full council for consideration. Chairman Al Allen made the motion, which was seconded and passed.
• Local Road Funding – Andy Markunas provided an update on the county’s road network, resurfacing cycles, and funding. He reported that the current $50 road user fee generates about $21 million annually, with an additional $10 million from interest. The resurfacing budget is approximately $10–12 million per year, covering 30–35 miles. He noted that the network is in good condition for the next 5–8 years, but a fee increase may be needed after that. RIDE 4 will add about 10 miles of resurfacing per year. No action was taken; the update was for information only.
• Landscaping, Buffer, and Tree Preservation Standards (Ordinance Amendment) – Stevie Brown, Planning Director, presented proposed amendments to Article V of the zoning ordinance, including expanded buffer requirements (e.g., 100-foot buffers for major residential adjacent to single-family, 200-foot roadsides, 500-foot buffers near industrial uses) and penalties for clear-cutting before development. Committee members expressed concern about complexity and the need for stakeholder input. A motion to send the ordinance back to staff for further refinement and stakeholder engagement was made by Councilman Tom Anderson, seconded, and passed unanimously. The item will return to the committee in October.

Key Outcomes

• Rails to Trails – Committee directed staff to compile existing studies and concept plans for review at the next committee meeting; no formal vote.
• Camping Ordinance – Committee voted to send the proposed ordinance to full council (motion by Chairman Allen, seconded, passed).
• Landscaping Ordinance – Committee voted to send the amendment back to staff for further discussion with stakeholders and to return in October (motion by Anderson, seconded, passed).
• Resolutions (all passed unanimously):
  • Resolution R-__-2025 – Accepted Edge Field Phase 1A (River Birch Drive, Brooke Drive, Battle Way) into the county road maintenance system.
  • Resolution R-__-2025 – Approved the grouping order for RIDE 4 dirt road paving projects, with 200 miles to be paved in three groups over 15 years.
  • Resolution R-__-2025 – Established the Carolina Forest Recreation Center playground as a capital project and authorized transfer of $750,000 from the Recreation Lifecycle Maintenance account and $750,000 from Parks Impact Fees (total $1.5 million).
  • Resolution R-__-2025 – Authorized transfer of $23.3 million from Project A0128 (MYR Taxiway B Pavement Rehab) to Project A0132 (MYR Runway Reconstruction) to accelerate the runway reconstruction.
  • Resolution R-__-2025 – Honored the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors on its 80th anniversary, recognizing its 5,100 members and $1.49 billion economic impact in Horry County in 2024.

Next Steps

• The next Infrastructure & Regulation Committee meeting is scheduled for October 14, 2025.