Nearly 1K back petition asking for Horry County home building moratorium

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A week after Horry County voters backed the 25-year extension of a penny sales tax to pay for $6 billion worth of transportation projects, a grassroots advocacy group is hoping that its concerns aren't drowned out.

Horry County Residents for Responsible Building has gained nearly 1,000 signatures on a petition urging local officials to indefinitely stop approval permits for new home starts.

"The construction boom in Horry County is straining our resources to the limit," Conway resident Stefanie Chiapetta told the council on Tuesday night. "Existing residents are experiencing increased utility rates due to over-demand, making the cost of living unbearable for many."

A recent population forecast from the state Office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs expects South Carolina to grow to nearly 6.4 million residents by 2042, a more than 18% increase from 2024 — with Horry County's population increasing the most.

Voters on Nov. 5 widely approved RIDE IV — a 1% sales tax will fund more than 30 projects for the next 25 year or until the county collects $6.6 billion, whichever comes first.

With support from nearly every countywide elected official and the Myrtle Beach Area of Chamber of Commerce, RIDE IV pulled down nearly 57% of the vote.

A late oppositional push by the Coastal Conservation League wasn't enough to tank RIDE IV, but Chiapetta said its messaging should be considered in future permitting decisions.

"Our schools, fire, police, rescue services and hospitals are all under inordinate stress trying to cater to a population far behind their capacity," she said.

Conway Medical Center in August said it was building an $18 million freestanding emergency department along the fast-growing Highway 90 corridor as part a multi-year expansion plan.

"As Horry County continues to experience rapid growth, we're committed to ensuring all residents have access to high-quality emergency care," CMC President and CEO Brian Argo said in a statement. "The new CMC Highway 90 Emergency Department represents our dedication to delivering the best healthcare possible to the community."

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at . See more of his work here .