Horry County Infrastructure & Regulation Committee Meeting - February 11, 2026

The Infrastructure & Regulation Committee met on February 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the County Council Conference Room to discuss a wide range of items including beach renourishment updates, a landfill expansion briefing, several resolutions, and multiple zoning ordinance amendments. The committee heard public input, recognized staff achievements, and approved most items, with the notable exception of the asphalt/concrete processing ordinance which was sent back to staff for further revision.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda as presented.
• Approved the minutes of the December 2, 2025 meeting.
• Recognized Heather Davis and Desiree Jackson for achieving AICP certification.
• Recognized Robert Freeman for receiving the Merit Award from the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association and completing the Parks Maintenance Management School.
• Approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of funds ($1.5M) from Project A0095 (Terminal Contingency) to Project A0136 (TSA Checkpoint expansion) for airport security checkpoint design.
• Approved a resolution honoring Dick and Carol Patterson for their volunteerism at Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens and their receipt of the 2025 South Carolina Recreation and Parks Community Champion Award.
• Approved a resolution allocating $1,000 in Council Community Benefit Funds to Socastee High School Baseball for field equipment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Steele (associated with Concrete Supply Company) spoke in opposition to weakening the existing concrete plant ordinance. He stated he had spent $450,000 to enclose a plant in 2018 and argued that setbacks should remain at 500 feet and enclosure requirements should not be removed, warning that reducing standards would invite problems similar to those experienced in the past.

Discussion Items

• Beach Renourishment Update (Al Allen): The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project in North Myrtle Beach (Reach 1) is complete. Arcadian Shores renourishment (county/City of Myrtle Beach non-federal project) is scheduled to begin the first week of March 2026, covering 8,500 linear feet from Singleton Swash to Apache Pier. The county's cost is $4.8 million. Dredging will proceed to Reach 2 (Myrtle Beach) and Reach 3 (Garden City/Surfside) through summer 2026.
• Horry County Solid Waste Authority Landfill Expansion Briefing (Bob Kemp, Wayne Beam, Tom Bellou): The SWA has submitted a permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct three new landfill cells (two C&D, one MSW) on the existing Highway 90 site, providing 45 years of additional capacity for 23.4 million tons of non-divertible waste. The expansion would impact 102.4 acres of wetlands. The 30-day public comment period ended recently; staff is awaiting Corps response. Committee members questioned alternatives, including mandatory recycling and increased diversion. Staff noted current recycling rate is about 20% and that technology limits full recycling. No vote was taken on this briefing item.
• Exercise Renewal Option for Paradies Lagardere Concession Agreement (Judy Olmstead): The airport concessionaire has met its obligations and requested a five-year renewal. The committee approved the renewal.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance to Prohibit Camping on County Property (Item A): Amended to change the prohibition from all camping to "unauthorized camping," allowing a permitting process through Parks and Recreation for future events (e.g., Scout jamborees). The committee voted to send the ordinance to full council as amended.
• Ordinance Amending Amusement Uses (Item B): Approved to allow indoor amusement uses in AG2/AG3 districts, add indoor batting cages to the definition, and rename "Sports Facility" to "Sports Complex." Sent to council.
• Ordinance Amending Highway 17 Business South Overlay (Item C): Approved to extend the overlay on Hwy 17 Bypass from Hwy 544 to the Georgetown County line. Sent to council.
• Ordinance Amending Temporary Vending Overlay (Item D): Approved to increase permitted days for Spring and Fall Bike Rally vendor permits from 7 to 10 consecutive days, aligning with county code. Sent to council.
• Ordinance Amending Little River Overlay (Item E): Approved to allow one-to-one replacement of existing non-digital off-premise signage with digital billboards. Sent to council.
• Ordinance for Asphalt, Concrete, and Aggregate Processing Facilities (Item F): After extensive debate, the committee voted to send the ordinance back to staff with direction to separate asphalt and concrete plant regulations, maintain current enclosure requirements and setbacks (500/1,000 feet) for concrete, and consider special provisions for industrial parks. The item was not sent forward as drafted.
• Ordinance Adding SP Hawes Sr. House to Historic Register (Item G): Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance Amending Landscape, Buffer, and Tree Preservation Standards (Item H): Approved with an amendment offered by Councilman DiSabato to reduce any buffer reduction on external roadways east of the Waccamaw River from 50% to 25%. The amended ordinance will go to the Planning Commission for recommendation before returning to council. Key changes include increased buffers for major residential developments (e.g., 100 feet along external roads), penalties for premature clear-cutting (36-month development suspension), and enhanced buffers for certain infill areas.