“In fact, Horry County leads all S.C. counties with an increase in impervious surfaces and land developed according to NOAA’s Land Use Atlas. The economic impact of flooding has been detrimental to the county and the state costing taxpayers and S.C. governments $3.5 billion just in the past 4 years.”
A public workshop on Imagine 2040 will be held Thursday, November 21st at 2 p.m. located at Horry County Government Building in Council Chambers at 1301 Second Avenue in Conway.
The development industry is asking their staff and those in the industry to “pack the Horry County Council chambers”. Development industry staff has also been asked to wear coordinated colors. The industry hopes to get the attention of the media and Horry County Councilmen as to how important developers are for this economy.
The development industry also sought out the services of an establishment, local blogger. An “Industry-Fawning” Facebook group was also recently created.
“This is nothing more than the development industry declaring war on locals,” said resident Mary Squires.
The current draft of the comprehensive plan Imagine 2040’s “Safe Communities” was established to protect properties and lives from natural hazards and includes developing a Floodplain Management Plan and Repetitive Loss Area Analysis to decrease impacts and increase sustainability.
According to their hazard mitigation plan, 25% of land in the county is in the floodplain and 190,000+ valued structures worth $24.5 billion are vulnerable to all hazards.
Due to 30 or more flood events in the past 20 years, residents believe Imagine 2040 should be adopted because the plan clearly defines wetlands that continue to be lost at a rapid rate due to changes in land use [development] and degradation.
In fact, Horry County leads all S.C. counties with an increase in impervious surfaces and land developed according to NOAA’s Land Use Atlas. The economic impact of flooding has been detrimental to the county and the state costing taxpayers and S.C. governments $3.5 billion just in the past 4 years alone.
A third and final reading is expected soon on the Imagine 2040 plan, however, the agenda does not include a county council vote at this meeting. The agenda does include public input.
