Horry County Council Regular Meeting – December 9, 2025

The Horry County Council held its regular meeting on December 9, 2025, in the Council Chambers, with Chairman Johnny Gardner presiding. The agenda listed a 6:00 p.m. start; the source meeting timestamp was 2025-12-09 11:00:00+00:00. Council heard public input, approved the consent calendar, recognized two mayors and a long-serving employee, conducted second readings and public hearings on multiple zoning and ordinance items, and referred one ordinance back to committee for minor adjustments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda en bloc by voice vote, including:
  • Third reading of Ordinance 93-2025 (Imagine 2040 future land use map amendment for PINS 29000000049 and 29000000050 from Rural to Rural Communities) and Ordinance 94-2025 (rezoning a 64.4-acre portion from Forest Agriculture/MSF 10 to Multi-Residential District MRD 1).
  • Third reading of Ordinance 105-2025 updating the standardized business license class schedule.
  • First reading of Ordinance 116-2025 authorizing the county administrator to execute a concession agreement with Compass Group USA, Inc. for food and beverage vending machines at Myrtle Beach International Airport.
  • Resolutions accepting road/drainage dedications: R-158-2025 for Jordanville Farms Phase 4 and R-159-2025 for Sessions Point Phase 2.
  • R-160-2025 supporting RJ Corman’s CRISI grant application and authorizing a local match of up to $1,500,000.
  • R-161-2025 designating the Horry County Emergency Operations and Communications Center.
  • R-162-2025 revising the Horry County Employee Guidelines.
  • R-163-2025 awarding Horry County HOME Consortium funding totaling $1,020,004, including $360,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Horry County, $400,000 to Eastern Carolina Housing Organization, and $260,004 to Habitat for Humanity of Georgetown County.
  • R-166-2025 increasing jury pay from $15.00 to $25.00 per day and mileage reimbursement from $0.205 to $0.342 per mile.
  • R-167-2025 revising the Eagle Trace Special Tax District inter-fund loan to a draw-down structure.
  • Community Benefit Fund allocations totaling $36,000 to Love 4 Paws Rescue, Coastal Carolina Sertoma, American Legion Post 40, Tidal Paws Animal Rescue, All 4 Paws, Kind Keeper, Inc., and Beach Ball Classic.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Tomkinson of Little River, District 1, raised concerns about code violations, unpermitted renovations, non-resident vehicle tags, a red-flagged shipping container that remained on a property, a person living in a garage, and alleged undocumented residents in apartment buildings. He asked the county to enforce existing rules.
• Tandra Hodum, an Eagle Trace resident, opposed the Eagle Trace Special Tax District. She stated the district was created through a petition with 39 signatures from 52 parcels, without a referendum, and that many homeowners were not told it would create a tax district. She said tax bills increased by approximately $2,000 to $4,000, the ordinance set the millage at 300 mills while earlier estimates were around 255 mills, and some Habitat for Humanity homeowners were told they would be exempt. She presented a new petition with 27 signatures asking council to invalidate or unwind the district.
• Kathleen Hodum, also an Eagle Trace resident, said she signed a paper to get roads fixed but did not know it involved a tax increase. She stated her taxes rose from about $700 to $2,700, that the increase would total roughly $30,000 over 15 years, and asked for a valid community vote or dissolution of the district. Chairman Gardner indicated the January community meeting would help determine what the community wants.
• During the public hearing for Ordinances 64-2025 and 65-2025, Michelle Smith of Ashley Circle expressed opposition to the proposed 99-home development, citing flooding risk, the area known as “Camp Swamp,” blocked evacuation routes, and a lack of flood control. She said she had 250 names against the development. Patricia Cannon Macaulay spoke about her great-great-great grandfather buried in Pond Field Cemetery on the property and asked that the cemetery be protected and maintained.
• During the public hearing for Ordinance 114-2025, Pam Lopez of Log Cabin Road expressed concerns about the approval process and buffers, stating her 10-home subdivision would see 106 of the 111 proposed homes placed behind it. She said the developer had promised to put something in writing about privacy trees. Albert Libera asked for a larger buffer on Log Cabin Road.

Presentations and Resolutions

• Barry Spivey announced that the fifth police precinct’s software implementation had occurred as planned, making the fifth precinct operational and answering calls under new sectors.
• Resolution R-164-2025 recognizing Marilyn Hatley, outgoing Mayor of North Myrtle Beach, was approved by voice vote. Mayor Hatley thanked Council for the partnership and noted it was bittersweet to step down after 24 years as mayor.
• Resolution R-165-2025 recognizing Brenda Bethune, Mayor of Myrtle Beach, was approved by voice vote. Mayor Bethune thanked Council and said she would encourage the incoming mayor to continue the collaborative relationship.
• Sheila McKella was recognized for more than 35 years of service with Horry County Government, including 25 years in the treasurer’s office. She thanked Council and credited her faith and family.

Ordinance Readings and Discussion

• Ordinances 64-2025 and 65-2025 (Hwy 66, LLC / Ashley Circle): Council approved an amendment to Ordinance 64-2025, then passed the second reading of both ordinances as amended. These approve a development agreement and rezone PIN 27100000058 from Limited Forest Agriculture (LFA) to Multi-Residential District-Preservation (MRD-P) for a maximum of 99 single-family detached homes, with a 35-foot height limit, 12,000-square-foot minimum lots, perimeter buffers, and improvements to Ashley Circle. During discussion, Councilman Hardee said the proposal had been reduced from more than 500 homes to under 100. Councilman DiSabato noted the property could yield about 68 lots by right versus 99 under the MRD-P plan with enhanced buffers and water retention.
• Second readings of individual rezoning ordinances (all approved by voice vote):
  • Ord 99-2025: Clovis Belanger – rezone 0.95 acres in Conway from SF 20 to MSF 20.
  • Ord 100-2025: John Pinto for Pinto Partners, LLC – rezone 1.9 acres in Socastee from MSF 6, SF 6, and HC to RE 4 for a trade shop.
  • Ord 107-2025: William Oram for Carolina Real Estate Holdings, LLC – rezone 8.14 acres from MHP to MHP and MSF 6 for 43 manufactured homes and one stick-built home.
  • Ord 108-2025: Diamond Shores for Master Home Builder, LLC – rezone a 1.17-acre portion from SF 20 to SF 10 for five single-family homes.
  • Ord 109-2025: Karl T. Gore – rezone 1.6 acres in Nichols from FA to MSF 20 for property-line adjustments.
  • Ord 110-2025: Thomas & Hutton for Eastern Shores Realty Holding, LLC – rezone 5.89 acres on Forestbrook Road from GR 6 to RE 4.
  • Ord 111-2025: Jason White for Dana C. Faircloth – rezone 1.64 acres near Conway from LFA to MSF 20.
  • Ord 112-2025: Jon D. McDonald – rezone 0.84 acres from MSF 20 to MSF 10.
  • Ord 113-2025: Thomas & Hutton for Saks & Company Inc. – rezone 12.42 acres from PUD to MRD 3 for 58 single-family in-common units.
  • Ord 114-2025: Antioch Farms, LLC – rezone 73.3 acres on Log Cabin Road in Loris from FA to MRD 1 for 111 single-family homes. After public comments, Councilman Causey encouraged the applicant to continue working with residents on buffer improvements before third reading.
  • Ord 115-2025: Earthworks for Sampit River Investments, LLC – amend the Jones Road PDD for 16 townhomes, 2 duplexes, and a mini warehouse facility on 16.81 acres.
• Ordinance 101-2025 (group housing): Second reading and public hearing were held; no public comment. The ordinance amends Articles II and XIV of the Zoning Ordinance related to group housing definitions, including Fair Housing Act compliance, and aligns uses such as community care facilities, halfway facilities, and inpatient drug/alcohol treatment facilities with appropriate zoning districts. Approved by voice vote.
• Ordinance 102-2025 (MA1 permitted uses): Second reading and public hearing were held; no public comment. The ordinance adds uses such as repair services, community and personal services, fitness centers, laundromats, high bulk retail, gas stations, and mixed industrial uses to the Limited Manufacturing and Industrial (MA1) District. Approved by voice vote.
• Ordinance 103-2025 (consensual towing): Second reading and public hearing were held; no public comment. The ordinance reduces regulation for businesses performing only consensual towing by exempting them from storage lot requirements, certain insurance requirements, and wrecker inspections. Approved by voice vote.
• Ordinance 104-2025 (prohibiting camping on county property): Second reading and public hearing were held; no public comment. Council first passed the second reading, then voted to refer the ordinance to the Infrastructure & Regulation Committee for minor tweaks and boundary adjustments. The original ordinance would prohibit camping on county-owned property, amend boat landing rules, and enact rules of conduct for county parks and facilities.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda and all resolutions on the agenda were approved by voice vote.
• Second readings were passed for Ordinances 64, 65, 99, 100, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 101, 102, 103, and 104.
• Ordinance 104-2025 was referred to the Infrastructure & Regulation Committee after second reading for minor revisions.
• Third readings for most ordinances are scheduled for the January 6, 2026, regular council meeting.
• The next regular council meeting is January 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., where committees for 2026 will be organized.
• The meeting was adjourned in memory of the individuals listed during memorial dedications, including Judy Roberts, Angel Woodard, Annie Chiles, Elise Dix, Russell Wise, Todd Howard, Charles McKinney, Tim McCormick, Janet Hardwick, Timmy Webb, Barry Williams, Merle H. Holmes, Bobby H. Porter, Alyssa Elaine Golly, Francis J. Singleton, C. Saxena, Patrol Officer Henry H. Scarborough, Larry Filiberti, and Steve Luton.

Votes were by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were reported in the source transcript.