Concerned, sometimes even angry, residents of the Carolina Forest area of Horry County have been dealing with an issue many of them thought was buried.
The Carolina Forest Civic Association, a group organized for the interests of Carolina Forest area residents, met Wednesday night to get questions answered about a land development project.
Extra noise, traffic and pollution introduced into Carolina Forest neighborhoods are just some of the concerns residents have had recently.
Earlier this year, residents firmly resisted when land developers proposed a sand mine on a property at the end of Gardner Lacy Road off Highway 501.
In April, the application for the sand mine was withdrawn. The developer says the land development proposal hasn't changed, that they just want to build an eight lot subdivision that includes an 11 acre pond.
Many arrived at Wednesday night's meeting believing that pond was a way for the developer to skirt tougher mining regulations.
Horry County Councilman Marion Foxworth, who represents a majority of Carolina Forest, stressed that the developer's original proposal was to build a subdivision, and as far as what's being proposed, nothing has changed.
After the meeting, those we spoke with seemed to, at least for now, have had their concerns eased.
"One of the questions we had was the depth of the lake, and they said it would be eight feet, so that answered certainly one of the questions. The traffic answered another one of the questions. What I heard sounded positive," admitted Charles Scroggs, who lives in the Waterford Plantation subdivision.
Chris Lombardi also lives in Waterford Plantation. After the meeting, he said his biggest concerns were "when the (construction) equipment would be operating - 7:00 (a.m.) to 9:00 at night, that's not good. But I think they did a good job tonight," said Lombardi.
"I would think that most of the questions have been answered," said Roger Griggs, owner of the development company that's making the land proposal, Cotton Patch Timber. "I think this originally started because of the fear of the words 'mining permit' and the fear that it was a mine, and it was a misunderstanding and really the majority of people are not against development or any progress."
The developers are currently working on acquiring permits to move forward with the project.
Residents say while their questions have been answered and most of their concerns eased for now, they will continue to follow up with the progress of the project to make sure their neighborhoods are not negatively impacted by construction and development.
Councilman Foxworth stressed that, like any other project, this one will be regulated. Planning officials say if the company meets all legal requirements, their request will be approved.
