Planning commission approves rezoning plans for 98-acre RV park in Longs

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Horry County planning commissioners gave an applicant the green light Thursday night to rezone almost 100 acres for an RV park on Highway 905 in Longs.

There was some pushback on the plan from residents a few months back, but during the meeting on Thursday, the idea was met with a positive response.

“It is a much better option than having another housing development go in,” said Bob Johnston, who lives in the Polo Farms community across from the proposed site.

Another Polo Farms resident, Aaron Asbury, said when he heard about the proposal he thought, “could be worse.”

“We’ve seen huge growth in Horry County over the past couple of years, and we would like to keep some normalcy to the area,” said Asbury.

And, the park’s developer, Diamond Shores, has made an effort to retain that normalcy.

COO David Schwerd said the company met with residents in the area to address their concerns after deferring the proposal a few months ago.

He added they plan to add an 800-foot buffer from the highway and a turn lane to help traffic.

“That’s going to allow us to keep the trees, and it’s going to be less hectic on the roadways with the normal day-to-day traffic,” said Asbury.

Schwerd also tells WMBF News although the park will have space for almost 160 RVs, each lot will have a buffer around it, too, giving it a more remote feel.

Johnston said he thinks this is the best-case scenario.

“The way they have it situated is beneficial to everybody,” said Johnston. “It also gives them peace, because they’re not going to have 1900 people coming by every day.”

Both Johnston and Asbury said they understand why developers want an RV park in their neighborhood.

“It’s nice because we’re close enough to everything, but we’re far enough away from everything so that we’re a little removed,” said Johnston.

“It’s a beautiful location,” said Asbury. “I have a camper, and I’ll be over there on the weekends to camp as well.”

The proposal will now go to the full county council for a vote. County officials say it will not be on the agenda next week but on the following meeting’s agenda.

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