The Horry County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of an amendment for a convenience store, gas pumps and a car wash in Little River, at Water Grande Boulevard and S.C. Highway 9.
The episode, first reported by MyHorryNews.com, centers on a request to amend a portion of the River Grand Planned Development District. The Post and Courier describes the proposed amendment as covering 14 acres at the same intersection, while MyHorryNews.com describes a 3.14-acre portion — a discrepancy neither outlet's reporting resolves. The site was already zoned for commercial development, and the amendment would allow gas pumps.
Residents Raise Concerns About Wawa Proposal
Residents raised concerns about the amendment, while the commission ultimately voted unanimously to recommend it.
Residents raised concerns about traffic, unsafe turning lanes and the prospect of a round-the-clock convenience store becoming a nuisance.
Traffic, Fees and a Possible First for South Carolina
Per the Post and Courier's reporting, residents' broader concerns centered on elevated traffic, unsafe turning lanes and the possibility that a round-the-clock convenience store would become a nuisance. The proposed Wawa could be the brand's first location in South Carolina. The Post and Courier notes that Wawa currently operates more than 1,000 stores across 10 states and Washington, D.C., and is in the midst of an aggressive expansion through 2030.
In exchange for the land-use amendment, developers would pay a $1,000 fee for every $100,000 worth of construction, the Post and Courier reported. The proposal now heads to Horry County Council, which will vote on whether to approve or deny the request. Thursday's commission vote was a recommendation, not the final decision on whether the store gets built.
Another Little River Development Debate
The Little River fight echoes tension that has simmered along nearby corridors for years. In a separate case along Wampee Road and Highway 57, the planning commission recommended approval of a 14-acre rezoning for multi-residential use after residents raised concerns about stormwater, wetlands and flooding; that commission passed the request by a 7–2 vote, and the developer agreed to fund a complete stormwater study before any construction or third-reading approval could proceed, according to WPDE.
