Fact check: Waties Island SC high rise rumors are misleading
There has been chatter around town and online about plans to build a high rise on Waties Island lately. However, these rumors are exaggerated.
According to property records, there are no current proposals to develop a tower on the Riverstone Properties-held part of the island.
However, on Thursday, the Horry County Planning Commission deferred a proposal to build 92 homes off Little River Neck Road. A representative agreed to defer the commission’s vote until workshops and community meetings could be held.
The property, owned by The Bluffs at Cherry Grove LLC, is bordered by an unincorporated residential community and Coastal Carolina University conservation land near Waties Island. The proposed rezoning would change the property designation from Scenic & Conservation to Suburban.
Waties Island, sometimes spelled Waites Island, is a largely undeveloped barrier island used for CCU environmental research. In June 2022, a private owner finalized plans to sell the northern third of Waties Island to Open Spaces Institute in an effort to preserve the natural habitat.
This story was originally published January 7, 2023 at 8:00 AM.
