|
February 28, 2024
Dear Friends & Neighbors:
The long-awaited draft of the Comprehensive Land Use Element has been made public. The plan is now more than four years overdue.
After thorough review and analysis, we regret to report that the content is extremely disappointing for Waccamaw Neck residents.
The most important parts of the existing land use plan have been removed and replaced with pretty pictures and watered-down platitudes that have no teeth. We have paid another consultant to render our land use plan meaningless - it's business as usual in Georgetown County.
SUMMARY OF LAND USE PLAN DRAFT
(Waccamaw Neck Area)
-
Despite the illusion of public input, it does not reflect true input from residents of the Waccamaw Neck.
- Contains no language that restricts density increases. (Removes language from pages 23 & 25 of the existing plan.)
- Replaces current residential density classifications with new "Place Types" which are broad, non-restrictive, design-focused categories that allow a wide range of uses at the discretion of decision-makers. "Place Type" is a fancy way of saying, "anything goes."
NOTE: Other SC counties experiencing high growth rates recognize that this permissive approach to land use is not a smart tool for managing growth.
- Increases current allowable density in many Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet neighborhoods including Parkersville, Hagley, historic Murrells Inlet, and others.
- Density calculation has been changed from "net" density to "gross" density which allows a greater number of total dwelling units on a proposed development site.
- Building height increased to 4 stories in designated areas.
- Disregards results of recent stormwater study which recommends $61 million dollars of necessary infrastructure improvement based on existing zoning, not increased density. (The county spent $750,000 to have that study conducted and this plan ignores it.)
- The plan contains positive language about affordable and workforce housing and protection of natural resources; however, there is no true commitment to anything.
WHY IS THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN IMPORTANT?
The content of the Land Use Element is critical because it will be the basis of land use and zoning decisions for the next ten years.
If you are interested in learning more about the Comprehensive Land Use Plan updating process, please click the link at the end of this letter to view a video from one of our educational seminars.
IS IT TIME TO CONSIDER WAYS TO CONTROL OUR OWN DESTINY?
During the past 5 years of this update process, Waccamaw Neck citizens have clearly and consistently expressed the desire for tighter restrictions on residential density increases because our infrastructure is currently operating beyond design capacity resulting in serious traffic, flooding, stormwater, and other safety problems. Residents specifically requested the restrictive language on pages 23 and 25 of the current land use plan to be retained and expanded in the new plan.
Instead of heeding citizen input, this draft does the opposite. It removes the most important parts of the current plan and replaces them with an attractive looking document that means nothing.
This land use draft is one more example of the disregard our county administration demonstrates toward citizens of the Waccamaw Neck. At every turn, the county promotes its agenda at our expense. It is out of control and we must stop it before we lose all that is precious about our community. We deserve better.
Perhaps it is time to seriously consider ways to control our own destiny in regard to planning, zoning, and land use.
ACTION ITEMS
The county is holding a "Listening Session" on the Land Use Draft:
Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 5:30 pm
Howard Auditorium
1610 Hawkins Street, Georgetown
- Please plan to attend. Members of the public will be permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes.
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION
CLICK HERE to view the Draft Land Use Plan.
CLICK HERE to view video on the
Comprehensive Land Use Plan update process.
Thank you for helping us protect and preserve the Waccamaw Neck. Our work depends on your generous financial contributions. Please DONATE NOW to support the effort. Together we are making a difference!
Your friends at
KEEP IT GREEN
| 
