The Comprehensive Plan Update for Horry County is the end product of a process designed to identify underlying planning issues and in turn assist the community in the development of strategies that effectively manage the change that is occurring throughout the county. While the plan does not serve as a development ordinance, it should be viewed as the framework to facilitate and encourage sustainable growth and development in the county.

The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan Update for Horry County, South Carolina is:

• To update the long range Comprehensive Plan for the future of Horry County. This plan is a reflection of the county’s desire to maintain a sustainable economy, protect the natural and cultural resources, and provide for the efficient delivery of public services in a fiscally responsible manner;
• To comply with the South Carolina Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994; and
• To develop an integrated Comprehensive Plan that presents a consensus vision and direction for the future of Horry County.

The Comprehensive Plan is a reflection of the aspirations and priorities of the citizens of Horry County. The Plan is also designed to meet the standards of the South Carolina Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994. In accordance with the State planning law, the Comprehensive Plan for Horry County includes the following Plan Elements:

• The Population Element -   (1.12 mb)
  »  for larger map images, please contact our planning department
  This document includes information related to historic trends and projections for size and characteristics of households; educational levels; income characteristics; race; sex; age and permanent/seasonal population.

• The Economic Element presents an analysis of the local economy, including historic trends and projections of the numbers and occupational characteristics of the labor force; where people who live in the community work; where people who work in the community reside; wages; major employers; and short- and long-term market trends.

• The Natural Resources Element identifies and assesses critical plant and animal habitats; coastal resources; unique scenic views; wetlands; floodplains; and soils, air, and water quality.

• The Cultural Resources Element addresses historic landmarks; important archaeological sites; and other unique features, areas, and facilities that relate to the history, culture, or architecture of Horry County.

• The Housing Element includes an analysis of existing housing by age and condition; owner and renter occupancy; location; type; affordability; market absorption and vacancy rates. Housing construction trends and projections about housing needs to accommodate existing and future populations are also examined in this element.

• The Community Facilities Element includes an analysis of existing water and wastewater facilities; solid waste collection and disposal; the roadway network; pedestrian, bicycle and transit facilities; parks and recreational facilities; stormwater management; fire protection; emergency medical services; public safety; government facilities; educational facilities; and libraries, museums, and other cultural facilities. Special attention is given to needs and services that are governed by agencies other than the county.

• The Land Use Element represents a synthesis of all plan elements; it examines existing land use by categories, including residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, parks/recreation, and open space. The land use plan also includes a conceptualized future land use map showing the most appropriate arrangement of land uses and overlay districts based on environmental constraints, existing development patterns, and resident preferences identified through the planning process.

Each element includes four five sections:

• Introduction
• Inventory and Analysis
• Statement of Needs and Goals
• Implementation Strategies
• Benchmarks for Sustainable Quality of Life

The Introduction Section of each element establishes the scope and general planning purpose. The Inventory and Analysis Section assesses the county’s existing conditions in each area and recognizes any critical gaps in the current planning process. The Statement of Needs and Goals blends inventory findings with public input to craft a vision for the county and set priorities for strengthening community resources. The Implementation Strategies Section that follows presents specific actions to support these desired improvements. Lastly, the Benchmarks for Sustainable Quality of Life provide quantifiable performance indicators that enable the county to measure its actual progress toward stated goals and direct future planning efforts.

The planning process for Horry County involved participants from throughout the community. Public participation was designed as a continuous process that involved citizens, county staff, members of the Planning Commission, and County Council members, as well as planning representatives from local municipalities and utility service providers.

Strategic planning was the first step in the process of defining the quality of life issues in Horry County. Stakeholders – individuals with special knowledge or interests in the community –identified emerging issues and concerns that were not reflected in the statistical data. A kick-off meeting was held with over 60 stakeholders in the community. Stakeholders responded to the following questions to identify community issues:

1. In the past 20 years, what has changed most about Horry County?
2. What major changes will Horry County face in the next 20 years?
3. What will be the big decisions Horry County will face in the next 20 years?
4. How will growth and change affect quality of life in Horry County?
5. What should Horry County do to improve its quality of life?

This early dialog with stakeholders helped identify the planning context and issues that would be addressed in more detail in the public planning sessions with county residents and business owners. A summary of the stakeholder responses, along with summaries of the public work session, is presented in Appendix A.

Intergovernmental coordination for the development of the Comprehensive Plan was facilitated through regular meetings held with local and regional planning agencies and utility service providers. The coordination meetings provided agency representatives the opportunity to update their respective planning efforts and provide input on the inventory and analysis developed for each plan element.

Broader community input was gathered during the planning process through eight public workshops where community members were invited to share their views on related plan elements. In each workshop, participants were provided an overview of existing conditions and were asked to identify planning issues related to the element. The different perspectives and common interests that emerged from the public involvement process guided the development of the goals and vision statements presented in this update of the Comprehensive Plan.

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