Large crowd turns out for Black River zoning meeting

July 10, 2008, The Georgetown Times, Georgetown
By Scott Harper

What a difference a month makes.

On June 13, a public input meeting was held at Browns Ferry Elementary School to talk about the proposed zoning for the areas in the middle of Georgetown County from Choppee to Andrews.

Only a few people attended that meeting.

On Thursday night, the Georgetown County Planning Commission decided to try again and this time the school's multi-purpose room was packed with residents and property owners.

One by one, residents addressed the Planning Commission with their concerns about zoning their property and communities that have never before had zoning.

One of the biggest worries expressed by residents is that the zoning will lead to higher land values and higher taxes. That, they fear, will force people out of the communities.

"First the sewer comes in, then the zoning. Then they move out the residents," said Debra Geathers as she addressed the Planning Commission.

Both County Director of the Planning Department Boyd Johnson and Planning Commission Chairman Jeff Kinard tried to explain zoning and taxes are not connected.

"Zoning will not cause your taxes to increase," Kinard said, adding the use of a piece of land is what will affect taxes. He said if a property owner tears down a house and builds a store, the taxes will go up but that is not because of the zoning.

Later in the meeting Kinard did get a negative reaction from the large crowd when he admitted that taxes may increase but that will be because of a County Council -- not a Planning Commission -- decision, he said.

Geathers used Pawleys Island as an example. She said that area of the county used to be home for many lower income residents but they were driven away after the Waccamaw Neck was zoned in the 1970s.

There was also some confusion about an area that is proposed to be zoned R-10, which will allow four houses on one acre of land.

Rev. Isaac Priest said he feels that is too many houses on one lot. Kinard explained the lot does not have to have that many structures but that many will be allowed in the areas with that zoning if the property owner chooses to put that many.

Priest, agreeing with Geathers, said he feels the county wants the zoning because it is making preparations for when Myrtle Beach begins to move southward into Georgetown County.

Johnson explained that the zoning is needed to regulate the growth and to keep things that are unwanted out of the neighborhoods of the residents.

One woman, who did not give her name when she spoke, zeroed in on one word Johnson used.

"You are going to regulate us. Who is going to regulate you?" she asked the Commission.

Kinard laughed nervously and said the panel is appointed by County Council.

That woman joined a couple of others who expressed concerns about what will happen to the Riverview Club in Oatland under the new zoning. They said they want the club to stay.

As it is now, the club will be grandfathered but, if more than 50 percent of the building is damaged by fire or weather, it cannot rebuild. Johnson said he will try to redraw the map so the club will be in a permissible zone.

Johnson said there will be a public hearing, probably in August, before the Planning Commission votes on the zoning. Their recommendation will go to County Council who will have to give the zoning ordinance three readings.

On Thursday, the Planning Commission will consider the U.S. Highway 521 Corridor Zoning at its monthly meeting.