City Planning Commission approves housing development

By Kaye Collins

The Loris Planning Commission met on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Members present at the meeting were Chair Linda Morrison, Vice Chair Christopher Spivey, Eric Milam, Chad Bennett, Joseph Flesch and John Adkins. Ruth Ann Jones was absent from the meeting. Also present was Meredith K. Holmes Planning and Zoning Director.

One of the items listed on the agenda was PL-202507-02 to review the Preliminary Plat for a Major Subdivision called Silver Oak Cottages Phase 2 and 3 (Parcel No. 176-00-00-0030) Diamond Shores.

The Commission voted 6-0 in favor of moving forward with the housing development to issue letters of conditional approval for the first two phases of the three-phase project.

Developer Neil Johnson informed the Commission that the letters are essential for obtaining a highway access permit from SCDOT for the North Cox Road subdivision. Johnson, who owns Heritage Construction of Myrtle Beach, is in the process of developing the 16-acre parcel located at the northeast intersection of Main Street and North Cox Road.

Silver Oak Cottages will consist of a non-gated community featuring 28 single-family homes situated on 6,600 square-foot lots. This property, which was essentially an island of land in Horry County within the Loris city limits, was annexed into the city in 2023 and is designated as R-1.7 medium-density residential.

Project Manager Ashley Cowen of 44 Diamond Shores Engineering and Development highlighted several design elements for the project, which include a landscaped entrance, two stormwater drainage ponds covering a total of 1.14 acres, and 4.46 acres of publicly accessible open space. She emphasized that the open space was not mandated by Loris’ subdivision development regulations. “It’s an additional amenity we’ve offered for this neighborhood.” They will also construct sidewalks, Cowen said, “so it’s a walkable, pedestrian-friendly community.”

Additional features consist of piped drainage along North Cox Road, as well as turn-around options on driveways for lots that face the highway, ensuring that owners do not need to reverse onto the road.

Planners have also engaged in initial discussions regarding a text amendment to the city zoning ordinance aimed at regulating food trucks and trailers, as others have worked on drafting the conditions for food trucks to assist in formulating an ordinance for the city of Loris.

The Commission members are expected to examine sample ordinances and arrive at the next meeting with their recommendations.