Horry County Infrastructure & Regulation Committee Meeting – December 2, 2025

The Infrastructure & Regulation Committee of Horry County Council met on December 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the County Council Conference Room. Chairman Al Allen presided. The meeting covered discussion on asphalt and concrete batch plant regulations, acceptance of subdivision roads into the county maintenance system, support for a rail infrastructure grant with a $1.5 million local match, renaming of the emergency operations center, and zoning ordinance amendments. The committee also advanced an ordinance to allow vending machine concessions at Myrtle Beach International Airport and received departmental reports.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public input was received.

Discussion Items

• Update on Asphalt and/or Concrete Batch/Bulk Plants (Raj Myana): Deputy Director Myana presented an overview of current regulations for temporary and permanent batch plants in Horry County. There are currently three active asphalt plants and 14 concrete plants. Permanent plants require zoning in MA-3 or HI districts and must meet conditions including a 550-foot setback, enclosure of all operations, dust-free roads, and landscaping. Staff suggested reviewing the future land use map to create more economic development centers or industrial corridors along major state roads, and reconsidering the requirement for all plants to be enclosed, as that is cost-prohibitive. Committee members expressed the need to reduce road construction costs for upcoming RIDE IV projects and to increase competition. Chairman Allen directed staff to come back with recommendations on amending the zoning ordinance to allow more batch plant locations. The direction was approved by consensus.

Resolutions

• Acceptance of Roads into County Maintenance System: The committee approved, on a motion by Mr. Anderson seconded by Mr. Gardner, the acceptance of roads in Jordanville Farms Phase 4 (Country Grove Way, Strawberry Field Way, Silage Hill Run Drive) and Sessions Point Phase 2 (McCorkle Place) into the county maintenance system. Discussion included concerns over long-term funding for road maintenance; Mr. Howard suggested an incremental fee increase, while Chairman Allen noted the need to revisit batch plant zoning to lower material costs. The motion passed unanimously.
• Support for RJ Corman’s CRISI Grant Application: The committee approved a resolution supporting RJ Corman’s application for a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant and authorizing a local match of up to $1,500,000. The project would replace 13,000 feet of rail, 25,500 ties, and multiple crossings in Horry County. The total project cost is $16 million, with $11.2 million from federal funds, $3.4 million from RJ Corman, and the county’s $1.4 million match. Discussion included adding specific crossings (e.g., 12th Avenue, Lakeland) and exploring passenger rail potential. The motion passed unanimously.
• Designation of Emergency Operations and Communications Center: The committee approved a resolution renaming the former Randall S. Webster Emergency Operations and Communications Center as the Horry County Emergency Operations and Communications Center. The motion passed unanimously.

Ordinances

• Amendment to Highway 17 South Overlay Zone (Section 809): The committee considered an ordinance amending Article VIII, Section 809 to establish additional design requirements for gas stations/convenience stores within the overlay (from Surfside Beach to Georgetown County line). Requirements include 75% brick/stone/concrete facades, integrated fuel canopies, and gable/hip roofs. The language mirrors the recently adopted Highway 707 overlay. Discussion included a request from Councilman Anderson to also address noise from car washes. The committee voted to amend the ordinance to include a 5% mixed-use requirement (instead of the staff-recommended 10%) for Planned Development Districts earlier in the meeting, but this item was not affected. The motion to approve the Highway 17 South Overlay amendment passed unanimously.
• Concession Agreement for Vending Machines at MYR Airport: The committee approved an ordinance authorizing the County Administrator to execute a five-year concession agreement with Compass Group USA Inc. (Canteen) for food and beverage vending machines at Myrtle Beach International Airport. Two locations (Gate A4 hold room and near Gate B1) will each have two beverage and one food machine. The county will receive 21.5% of gross revenues. The airport’s terminal expansion was noted as completed on time and under budget, using only airport revenues and federal grants, not property taxes. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• The committee directed staff to review and bring back recommendations on amending the zoning ordinance for batch plants to encourage more competition and lower road construction costs.
• Staff was also asked to explore options for road maintenance funding, including incremental fee increases, and to study how other counties (e.g., in North Carolina) handle subdivision roads.
• The next meeting date is to be determined.