Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is getting new higher-density development? Here’s what we know

The MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet is one of the capstone properties of the Grand Strand area. Known for its relaxing waters and restaurants, the area’s scenic views offer an attractive place to live away from the hustle and bustle of up North in Myrtle Beach.

Many Georgetown County residents raised objections when government officials presented plans for the area’s future that locals felt would upend the region’s tranquil nature.

At an April 18, 2024, Georgetown County Planning Commission meeting, a proposal for future use of much of the county’s land was met with opposition from attendees, and the commission ultimately asked that the plan be reworked.

Georgetown County Director of Planning and Code Enforcement Holly Richardson said the commission is changing the future land use proposal to address residents’ concerns — adding that many made it clear they don’t want the area to become like Myrtle Beach.

The question is, what does the future land use proposal mean for the MarshWalk? How will the area change when a future land use proposal is adopted? Here’s what we know.

Mixed-used development would be allowed near MarshWalk

The current proposal for future land use provides maps of areas suitable for additional development in Georgetown County. In the proposal, the areas most suited to further building are along the Waccamaw Neck, including Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, as well as Georgetown.

Richardson said the Waccamaw Neck and Georgetown are best prepared because they already have the infrastructure—roads, water, and sewage—to support such additions. Indeed, the MarshWalk is within one of these suitable areas for development.

One project recommended for the US Highway 17 area includes a parking plan for Murrells Inlet and MarshWalk, but it also contains potential uses for the land itself. A map of the Murrells Inlet area within the future land use proposal shows that the MarshWalk area would be designated as a “Village Center,” with nearby plots of land designated as “Residential Mixed Use” and “Residential.”

The future land use proposal defines a village center as a small community that provides restaurants, retail, and other services, usually located near planned neighborhoods. The proposal also defines residential mixed-use as walkable single-family and attached housing with nearby low-impact commercial uses and residential as traditional neighborhoods.

Katrina Waugh with the Georgetown County Planning Commission said future land use and zoning are not the same, and future land use designations don’t have zoning attached to them. However, both village centers and residential mixed-use would allow for more units per acre than some of the areas surrounding the MarshWalk, making the area more densely developed.

How much development would be allowed near the MarshWalk?

Much of the area around and including MarshWalk is zoned as General Commercial, which Richardson said allows for about four units per acre of single-family homes or residential development. Parcels of land near MarshWalk are also zoned as General Residential, which currently allows as many as 16 units per acre.

The future land use proposal states that village center places would allow for 6-10 dwelling units per acre at a density of 1-3 stories tall, and residential mixed-use would allow for 4-8 dwelling units per acre 1-3 stories tall. Richardson said that areas designated as village centers could become more densely developed, but she added that residents objected to this part of the future land use plan.

“That’s something we anticipate to maybe have some tweaks or changes to when we present back,” she added.

Despite residents’ protests, some business owners along the MarshWalk are less concerned. Al Hitchcock owns Drunken Jack’s Restaurant & Lounge at 4031 Highway 17 Business in Murrells Inlet. Having operated the eatery for 45 years, Hitchcock has seen the area grow as once-vacationers became residents.

“They went from suitcases to UHauls,” he said.

He added that a land development plan is past due, but he believes the approved proposal won’t radically change the area.

“It’s a good thing we spread out,” Hitchcock added.