September 8, 2025 — Regular Council Meeting
Loris City Council rescinded its acceptance of a 359.97-acre annexation petition (Ordinance 07-25) east of Heritage Road after the owner, Heritage Lakes Holding Ventures, LLC, withdrew it, declaring the petition null and void. Council also passed first readings of two rezonings: about 18.8 acres from Industrial to Planned Development near Broad and Meadow Streets (Ordinance 08-25), and about 3.8 acres from Residential to General Business on Main Street (Ordinance 09-25).
At a glance
- Approval of minutes — August 4, 2025 regular meeting
- Approval of minutes — August 25, 2025 public hearing
- Approval of minutes — August 25, 2025 special council meeting
- First reading of Ordinance 07-25 (A-202504-002) — Annex approximately 359.97 combined acres — Heritage Lakes Holding Ventures, LLC
- Rezone approximately 18.8 total acres from IND (Industrial) to PD (Planned Development District) — southern corner of Broad Street (U.S. 701) and Meadow Street (S-26-152)
- Rezone approximately 3.8 total acres from R-1.4 (Residential) to C-2 (General Business) — southern side of Main Street (S.C. 9)
- Authorize the Mayor to sign on behalf of the city the survey plats of the old Loris High School site
- Executive session — contractual matter
Read the full summary
At its September 8, 2025 regular meeting, the Loris City Council took up a proposed annexation of approximately 359.97 acres east of Heritage Road (Ordinance 07-25, petition A-202504-002, owned by Heritage Lakes Holding Ventures, LLC). Because the owner's agent, G-3 Engineering, withdrew the annexation petition earlier that day, the first reading was unnecessary; council voted unanimously among members present to rescind its prior acceptance and declare the petition null and void.
Council then passed first readings of two rezoning ordinances: Ordinance 08-25, rezoning about 18.8 acres at the southern corner of Broad Street (U.S. 701) and Meadow Street from Industrial (IND) to Planned Development District (PD), and Ordinance 09-25, rezoning about 3.8 acres on the southern side of Main Street (S.C. 9) from Residential (R-1.4) to General Business (C-2). Council also approved three sets of prior minutes and authorized the Mayor to sign the survey plats of the old Loris High School site.
Residents addressed the council during public comment, several regarding the withdrawn Ordinance 07-25, including concerns about wetlands changes and potential drainage in the affected area; one resident asked how her water bill was calculated. Council held one executive session on a contractual matter and reported that no action or votes were taken there.
Departmental and community reports covered the new City Clerk Melinda Price, repainted downtown parking and crosswalks, ongoing SC Highway 9 East road construction, resumed leaf-and-limb pickup, Fire Prevention Week, and recreation and chamber activities. Councilman Lewis C.
Hardee Jr. was absent for medical reasons, so all vote tallies reflect the members present.
Written by an AI from the verbatim record below, a convenience, not the official record. It may contain errors; the sourced items below are authoritative.
The item-by-item record
Click “Jump to …” on any item to play the video at the moment it was taken up.
Approval of minutes — August 4, 2025 regular meeting
Approval of minutes — August 25, 2025 public hearing
Approval of minutes — August 25, 2025 special council meeting
First reading of Ordinance 07-25 (A-202504-002) — Annex approximately 359.97 combined acres — Heritage Lakes Holding Ventures, LLC
Mayor Suggs reported that earlier today G-3 Engineering, the agent for the property owner, withdrew the Petition for Annexation of the 359.97 acres located East of Heritage Road. The withdrawal of the petition for annexation means that first reading of Ordinance 07-25 is unnecessary because the owner is no longer asking to be annexed into the City of Loris. Council voted to rescind its previous acceptance of the annexation petition and declared the petition null and void.
- What it is
- This is a proposed annexation of about 359.97 acres east of Heritage Road into the City of Loris, requested by the property owner, Heritage Lakes Holding Ventures, LLC. Annexation brings land inside the city limits.
- What it does
- The property owner's agent withdrew the annexation petition before council took it up. No annexation took effect. Council voted to rescind its earlier acceptance of the petition and declared it null and void, so the land remains outside the City of Loris.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Rezone approximately 18.8 total acres from IND (Industrial) to PD (Planned Development District) — southern corner of Broad Street (U.S. 701) and Meadow Street (S-26-152)
City Clerk Melinda Price read Ordinance 08-25 by title only. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes gave details of the property to be rezoned and explained the Planned Development District.
- What it is
- This is a first-reading vote on an ordinance to rezone land at the southern corner of Broad Street (U.S. 701) and Meadow Street. Rezoning changes the zoning district that sets what can be built on a parcel. An ordinance needs two readings before it takes effect.
- What it does
- Passed on first reading, this advances toward a second reading the rezoning of about 18.8 acres at the southern corner of Broad Street (U.S. 701) and Meadow Street from IND, Industrial, to PD, Planned Development District. It takes effect after a second reading.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Rezone approximately 3.8 total acres from R-1.4 (Residential) to C-2 (General Business) — southern side of Main Street (S.C. 9)
City Clerk Melinda Price read Ordinance 09-25 by title only. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes gave details of the property to be rezoned.
- What it is
- This is a first-reading vote on an ordinance to rezone land on the southern side of Main Street (S.C. 9). Rezoning changes the zoning district that sets what can be built on a parcel. An ordinance needs two readings before it takes effect.
- What it does
- Passed on first reading, this advances toward a second reading the rezoning of about 3.8 acres on the southern side of Main Street (S.C. 9) from R-1.4, Residential, to C-2, General Business. It takes effect after a second reading.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Authorize the Mayor to sign on behalf of the city the survey plats of the old Loris High School site
The survey of the old Loris High School property is in progress. When the plats arrive, they must be signed by a representative of the entity that owns the property. Mayor Suggs sought authorization from council so the plats can be signed and recorded properly when they arrive.
Executive session — contractual matter
Attorney Brad Smith indicated that there was one contractual matter to be discussed in executive session. Upon returning, Mayor Suggs announced that council discussed a contractual matter and that no action or votes were taken in executive session.
Beyond the votes
Reports, announcements, and public comment from the same meeting, also drawn verbatim from the minutes.
Reports & announcements
- New City Clerk — Melinda Price. Introduced Melinda Price and welcomed her as the new City Clerk. Melinda began her duties August 26th.
- Downtown parking and crosswalks. Main Street downtown as well as Meeting Street parking space lines have been repainted. The yellow curbs, handicapped parking spaces and crosswalks have been repainted also.
- SC Highway 9 East road construction. The SC Highway 9 East road construction is still in progress which is causing a slight change in traffic so please be careful especially around Loris Elementary School.
- Leaf and limb truck. Regular pickup has resumed since the leaf and limb truck has been repaired.
- Bog-Off Bowl Game pep rally. Mayor Suggs thanked the community and the Chamber of Commerce for supporting our athletes, cheerleaders, and band members by holding the pep rally downtown before the Loris Green Sea-Floyds Bog-Off Bowl Game.
- Loris Lions football. The first home game for the Loris Lions will be held Friday September 12th against the North Myrtle Beach Chiefs. Loris Lions are at 3 and 0 starting the season.
- Loris Legacy Awards Banquet. Loris Legacy Awards Banquet was held Saturday night September 6th; during the event, two members of our city family received well deserved awards for their service. Sergeant Bobby Brush from the Police Department and Wayne Fox, our Building Inspector.
- Chamber of Commerce report — Samantha Norris. Loris Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Samantha Norris was present and discussed the preparations being made for the upcoming Bog-Off. Samantha also discussed the startup of Downtown Tuesdays as well as the chamber's upcoming Trunk or Treat event.
- Administrator's report. Interim Administrator Neighbours reported that she was happy that the City Clerk position has been filled and welcomed Melinda. Several projects are underway in the city which have been funded by grants are in progress and other potential grants are being pursued.
- Committee reports. There were no committee meetings during the month of August.
- Code Enforcement & Planning. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes stated that she didn't have a written report at this time. She stated that they have several projects coming back before the Council soon and she will have a written report next month.
- Fire Department. City Fire Marshal Robert Rudelitch presented his written report for council. He also discussed the kickoff to Fire Prevention Week. "Charge into Fire Safety" posters and pamphlets have been distributed and are available in the lobby. Open house at the Public Safety Building will be held October 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
- Police Department. No additions to written report. Chief Gary Buley stated that they will be partnering with the Fire Department at upcoming events in October.
- Public Works. No written reports presented.
- Recreation. Recreation Director Woody Hinson presented his written report to council. He also stated that they had hosted Top Gun All-American All-Star Games over Labor Day weekend which had brought lots of business to our city.