The Grand Strand Animal Shelter has encountered numerous obstacles while searching for a new site for their facility, and they may have just encountered another one.
Jess Wnuk, the executive director of the Grand Strand Humane Society, expressed frustration at the feeling of consistently facing resistance despite taking the necessary actions.
After questions of bad faith and collusion on the part of Horry County Senator Luke Rankin were raised, Santee Cooper still chose to provide the land on Waterside Drive, however, residents on the street have expressed opposition to the plan.
Last month, Senator Rankin pulled out all stops for the Grand Strand Animal Shelter at a S.C. Statehouse joint bond committee hearing in which the plan was approved.
Horry County Councilman Gary Loftus stated that he is suggesting a zoning overlay because he was taken by surprise by the facility’s placement. He argued that council members were not informed about the details when they approved it through a consent agenda item. Residents in the community do not want the shelter located right on top of housing.
Loftus mentioned that the resolution they passed was vague and lacked specifics. They were unsure of the location or any other details, as it could have been in Little River. The Grand Strand Animal Shelter has multiple options for locations in Horry County, but Wnuk opposes any location that is not near the coast around the City of Myrtle Beach.
In contrast, Michael Masciarelli, a councilmember, expressed to local news that he believes this issue should have been resolved several months earlier.
Masciarelli mentioned that the property was already zoned for light industrial use, so there should be no further discussion. He believes that since it is permitted and Santee Cooper wants to donate it to help animals, they have the right to do so.
Jessica Wnuk expressed surprise and concern about Loftus’ request, stating that GSHS has invested a significant amount of time and money into the new facility.
Wnuk expressed that the fact that this is being discussed should worry not only those involved with the Grand Strand Humane Society, but also anyone who owns land in Horry County. This situation could establish a risky precedent where the county has the power to dictate how landowners can use their property.
Loftus mentioned that the upcoming Infrastructure and Regulation Committee meeting will include discussion of the suggested zoning overlay.
Humane Society goes on offense on Social Media with urgent request.
The Grand Strand Animal Shelter is now doing a non stop, full media blitz, as well as, organizing on social media.
In 9 hours, the Grand Strand Animal Shelter Facebook post has been shared 220 times. The Facebook Post Reads:
CRITICAL UPDATE AND REQUEST FOR SUPPORT
Over the past couple of days, many of you have likely seen Grand Strand Humane Society in the media once again as we face yet another potential setback in our pursuit of a new facility for the lost, abandoned and abused animals here in Horry County.
After our gratis lease with Santee Cooper was approved by the Joint Bond Review Committee on March 20th, many folks asked us if this was finally “it”. While we anticipated additional pushback from our future neighbors, we never anticipated certain members of Horry County Council to actively pursue a plan to prevent us from building on land that THEY had zoned for our use.
The property on which we plan to build was zoned Limited Industrial back in 1987. Since that time more than 40 industrial businesses have opened their doors in this neighborhood. Not one of them has been met with opposition from county council. Why? Because the land is zoned appropriately for their use.
When Horry County staff presented an update to the Infrastructure and Regulation Committee Tuesday morning it was made clear that Animal Services were unequivocally a permitted use on this property. Even after that presentation, somehow, we are still facing opposition.
Councilman Gary Loftus is now recommending the addition of an overlay district in this area for the sole purpose of preventing Grand Strand Humane Society from building there. This sets an unbelievably dangerous precedence. EVERY SINGLE LAND OWNER in Horry County should be concerned about this. Should this overlay district be approved by County Council, any council member can potentially rezone privately owned land if they do not want a particular business built. This is reactive zoning, not proactive zoning and it could be classified as a taking which is actionable.
We are grateful for the council members that have been outspoken against this action. They see this for what it is and don’t want to be involved. However, there are others who seem open to the idea and that just simply is not right.
Grand Strand Humane Society has done everything right. Last year, Horry County Council said to find a piece of land zoned appropriately and that we would have their support. We have found a piece of land zoned appropriately and yet we still lack the support of some council members.
We provide a critical service to this county. Those council members who are pushing this overlay district are hurting the animals and by proxy the very people who have voted for them. What will happen to all of the animals with nowhere to go if GSHS does not exist? What will that mean for your community?
We urge you to ask YOUR county council members these difficult questions. We are asking once again for you to show your support for the work that we do here at Grand Strand Humane Society. These animals and this community deserve a new facility that we can all be proud of.
Please use the link below to determine which council member represents you and reach out to them TODAY in support of our project on Waterside Drive.
Find your Council District here: https://tinyurl.com/57f6r3hy
WILL LOFTUS AND DISABATO CAVE?
Questions remain as to whether Horry County Councilmen Gary Loftus and Dennis DiSabato will cave under the weight of Senator Rankin’s political allies and political pressure.