Horry County Board of Appeals approves dozen-plus variances, greenlights school construction exception
July 13, 2026 | Horry County, South Carolina
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The Horry County Board of Appeals met July 13 and voted on a wide-ranging set of zoning variances and special exceptions, approving requests for commercial redevelopment, multiple residential setbacks, and a major school construction accommodation.
The board approved a special exception for Grand Shrimp Medieval Farm, allowing rural-tourism events including themed living-history days, limited primitive camping during events and vendor activity on a 73-acre site in Gallivants Ferry. Applicant Matt McCloud told the board the site would host daytime educational events and adhere to local noise rules; several neighbors testified in favor during public comment and the board approved the request with conditions set by staff.
In Myrtle Beach, the board granted redevelopment variances for a planned new Circle K convenience store that must be rebuilt to accommodate South Carolina Department of Transportation road widening. The applicant agreed to submit a tree-relocation or replacement plan required by a prior approval; staff will review that plan before final permitting.
The panel also approved a parking-variance request for two small specialty dental practices — Big Wave Endodontics and Little Wave Pediatric Dentistry — whose combined change of use increases operatories from five to nine. The applicants provided evidence from the site's horizontal property regime (Azalea Woods HPR) and argued that consolidated family arrivals and scheduling practices reduce actual parking demand; the board granted relief with standard staff conditions.
Most consequential for county schools, Horry County Schools received a variance allowing more than 50% of planned parking to remain in front of the principal building during phased construction of a new St. James Elementary School. Project manager Joe Birch said the $70 million replacement must be built while the existing elementary and middle schools remain operational, creating an “extraordinary and exceptional” constraint that prevents the project from meeting the overlay district's 50% front-parking rule during construction. The board approved the variance so the district can keep existing drop-off loops and staff parking active while construction proceeds through 2028.
Across the meeting the board handled numerous residential requests — pergola and pool setbacks, small storage sheds, carports and reconstruction of existing garages — and approved them with conditions when applicants provided written approvals from homeowners associations or showed they would seek permits and inspections. At least one previously deferred case was set for re-advertisement because the applicant was not present.
The board closed the meeting by hearing special-exception requests from downtown restaurants seeking on-site alcohol and modest outdoor dining near residential areas. After staff-recommended conditions limiting amplified outdoor music and requiring operational controls, Bookworm & Vine, Wing Kings and Downtown Flavortown received approval.
The meeting concluded after the board authorized staff to incorporate the handwritten motions into the minutes and adjourned.
The board approved a special exception for Grand Shrimp Medieval Farm, allowing rural-tourism events including themed living-history days, limited primitive camping during events and vendor activity on a 73-acre site in Gallivants Ferry. Applicant Matt McCloud told the board the site would host daytime educational events and adhere to local noise rules; several neighbors testified in favor during public comment and the board approved the request with conditions set by staff.
In Myrtle Beach, the board granted redevelopment variances for a planned new Circle K convenience store that must be rebuilt to accommodate South Carolina Department of Transportation road widening. The applicant agreed to submit a tree-relocation or replacement plan required by a prior approval; staff will review that plan before final permitting.
The panel also approved a parking-variance request for two small specialty dental practices — Big Wave Endodontics and Little Wave Pediatric Dentistry — whose combined change of use increases operatories from five to nine. The applicants provided evidence from the site's horizontal property regime (Azalea Woods HPR) and argued that consolidated family arrivals and scheduling practices reduce actual parking demand; the board granted relief with standard staff conditions.
Most consequential for county schools, Horry County Schools received a variance allowing more than 50% of planned parking to remain in front of the principal building during phased construction of a new St. James Elementary School. Project manager Joe Birch said the $70 million replacement must be built while the existing elementary and middle schools remain operational, creating an “extraordinary and exceptional” constraint that prevents the project from meeting the overlay district's 50% front-parking rule during construction. The board approved the variance so the district can keep existing drop-off loops and staff parking active while construction proceeds through 2028.
Across the meeting the board handled numerous residential requests — pergola and pool setbacks, small storage sheds, carports and reconstruction of existing garages — and approved them with conditions when applicants provided written approvals from homeowners associations or showed they would seek permits and inspections. At least one previously deferred case was set for re-advertisement because the applicant was not present.
The board closed the meeting by hearing special-exception requests from downtown restaurants seeking on-site alcohol and modest outdoor dining near residential areas. After staff-recommended conditions limiting amplified outdoor music and requiring operational controls, Bookworm & Vine, Wing Kings and Downtown Flavortown received approval.
The meeting concluded after the board authorized staff to incorporate the handwritten motions into the minutes and adjourned.
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