Land Use Plan Facts

After gathering public input for many months, including nearly 2,000 citizen submitted surveys (70 percent came from the Waccamaw Neck), stakeholder focus groups, public “open house” meetings, and Planning Commission recommendations, Georgetown County Council approved a Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map in July 2024 that cuts residential development density by 50 percent on the Waccamaw Neck.

According to a county consultant’s report, the Future Land Use Map cuts Waccamaw Neck development density that is allowed under the current county zoning ordinance, from 25,201 units to 12,622 units, a 50 percent reduction.

Based on public input, the following are also included in the plan:

  • Significant density reduction in General Residential zoned areas.
  • Preservation of existing neighborhoods as low to medium density.
  • Maintains existing height limitations for new development.
  • Preservation of golf courses with very low density zoning and significant open greenspace requirements.
  • Preservation of 50 percent of open space for remaining undeveloped land on Waccamaw Neck.
  • Wetlands protections.
  • Greenbelt preservation program.
  • Preservation of historic and cultural places.

Georgetown County is starting a rewrite of its zoning ordinance to incorporate the policy recommendations in the Land Use Plan. The Future Land Use Map will be the guide for zoning map updates.

In the interim, County Council passed an ordinance in September to reduce multi-family density by 70 percent (16 units per acre to 5 units) on the Waccamaw Neck.

The Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map are just one element of the County Comprehensive Plan, which considers the area's existing conditions, future goals and a general vision for what future growth and development within the county will look like over the next 10 to 20 years.

The other elements of the Comprehensive Plan are natural resources, transportation, housing, population, resiliency, economic development, priority investment, community facilities, and cultural resources. The goals and objectives of these elements are tied closely together to form a unified Comprehensive Plan.

Under state law, the Comprehensive Plan and all elements, including the Land Use Plan must be reevaluated and reviewed every five years and must be rewritten every ten years. The next review for Georgetown County is 2029 and rewrite is 2034.

Public input on the Land Use Plan

Results of the survey:

  • 96% of responds consider natural resources are most important to them.
  • 63% indicated that the county should give more attention to natural resources.
  • 59% indicated that vacant and under-utilized property in developed areas of the county should accommodate future population growth.
  • The top 3 concerns for the next 10-20 years included infrastructure, urbanization and land preservation.

From the survey report:

“The Waccamaw Neck also was the largest supporter of conservation and preservation of natural resources. The respondents of the Neck were clear about their desire to slow the growth of the area to prevent overwhelming demands on existing infrastructure especially in terms of stormwater and traffic.”

Top Five Themes from the Open House Meeting Comments:

  1. Preservation of community character and promotion of compatible development.
  2. Preservation of natural resources.
  3. Coordination between development and infrastructure, and promoting responsible development.
  4. Pursuing housing choice, and affordable and workforce housing.
  5. Creating walkable and bikeable communities.

Themes from Stakeholder Focus Groups:

  • Environmental Preservation and Conservation
  • Community Identity and Character
  • Affordable and Workforce Housing
  • Coordination of Development and Infrastructure
  • Regulations and Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan
  • Community Engagement and Education

The five individual focus groups were Keep It Green, Neighborhoods, and HOAs; Real Estate, Development and Affordable Housing; CEO Roundtable and Employment; Environmental and Conservation; and Small Business.

Planning commission priorities for the plan:

  • Ensuring new development is compatible with traditional land use and development patterns.
  • Managing pressures for increased density on the Waccamaw Neck.
  • Preservation and conservation of natural resources and open space.
  • The importance of housing choice to promote longevity of residents.
  • The importance of housing affordability in maintaining a local workforce.
  • Ensuring an economically prosperous future for the county by facilitating business development.
  • Accommodating future needs of recreational opportunities and community facilities.

Click here for the all of the public input on the Land Use Plan.