Burgess Residents Discuss 4,300 New Homes Or 3,700 Along Hwy 707

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David Hucks
David Huckshttps://myrtlebeachsc.com
David Hucks is a 12th generation descendant of the area we now call Myrtle Beach, S.C. David attended Coastal Carolina University and like most of his family, has never left the area. David is the lead journalist at MyrtleBeachSC.com

The Burgess community met tonight to ask questions regarding a rezoning request of what is known as the Bumgardner Tract off of Hwy 707 between St. James High School and the Blackmoor residential community.

This issue will go before the planning commission on January 6th. If the rezoning request is approved, the development agreement shows approximately 3,700 housing units at final buildout, approximately 80 percent single family homes.

If the request is not approved, the tract will be developed under current CFA zoning which allows for the construction of approximately 4,300 multi-family units.

Over 200 residents attended this afternoon’s meeting. Most residents we spoke with want the land to remain undeveloped, however, that option is not available under current law. As the land is privately owned by private business owners, the county can not dictate that the land remain forest.

The owners of the land, Horry County’s locally, well known Wall family, are requesting a zoning change that would actually reduce the amount of new homes allowed to be built on the property.

Becky Ryon, S.C. Coastal Conservation League

MyrtleBeachSC News spoke with Becky Ryon, North Coast Office Director Coastal Conservation League, at tonight’s meeting.

Ryon expressed concerns about an agreement attached to this development called SELL. Said Ryon, “… the Southern Evacuation Lifeline [SELL] and the considerations for that potential impacts all of us in Horry County. We expect that if that road were to be built it would be at Interstate standards with interstate level interchanges for it. That would just exponentially grow Horry County.”

Added Ryon, “I hope that the community hears that with a planned developed district, they actually have more of a say in and more of an impact than on the current zoning under CFA.

Ryon stated, “I do believe this tract of land will be developed no matter what happens. We certainly want the community to have a say.

Ryon lives in the Burgess community.

Southern Evacuation Lifeline (SELL) is a demand being made to the developers by Horry County Government. The group has been informed by Horry County that rezoning is off the table unless “right of ways” to the County’s Southern Evacuation Lifeline are provided. This demand is at odds with the Coastal Conservation League. It also is considered by some a “poison pill” demand by government to ensure that the property is developed at 4,300 units under CFA zoning.

Request by Thomas Hutton would limit the project to 3,700 homes

Wall family members are best known for their local philanthropy and excellent vision. It was the Wall’s who funded Coastal Carolina University, establishing it as one of the finest business schools in S.C.

Many believe that without Graig Wall’s philanthropy, CCU would not be the university it is today.

Their vision to create excellence at Prince Creek only added to property values in the Murrells Inlet area. The Wall family developed Prince Creek. This neighborhood is unmatched in excellence among any community along the Grand Strand.

Wall family developed Prince Creek, among the best communities on Highway 707.

When low cost land was needed to build St. James High School, it was the Wall family who stepped forward. St. James is now considered one of the best high schools by U.S. News rankings.

The family sets a high bar of excellence to everything they endeavor.

The Wall’s made low cost land and funding available so that St. James could be built

COMMUNTIY ENGAGED

April O’Leary of Horry County Rising told MyrtleBeachSC News, “The planning and zoning meeting held last week was one of the longest meetings on record in the history of Horry County.”

The community is clearly engaged, but until this afternoon, most were not clearly informed about their choices. As Ryon stated, the land will be developed either way.

Some stated tonight that County Council’s mind was already made up. From reports we are getting, County Council may well choose to simply leave the matter as zoned under CFA.

However, this is a chance for the residents to get involved in helping create a shining example of what smart development looks like in Horry County.

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