October 6, 2025 — Regular Council Meeting
At its October 6, 2025 regular meeting, Loris City Council advanced several rezonings and land matters and approved $10,000 in hospitality-tax funding for the Chamber of Commerce. Every council vote on the agenda passed with the mayor and all members voting favorably.
At a glance
- Approval of minutes — September 8, 2025 regular meeting
- Consider annexation petition A-202508-002 — 54.88 acres, Diamond Shores, Agent
- 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)
- Amend the Business License Ordinance of the City of Loris to update the class schedule as required by Act 176 of 2020
- Consider acceptance of deed of conveyance from DR Horton for Meadow Walk — Phase 2 utility infrastructure
- Consider request by DR Horton for reduction of improvement guarantee for Meadow Walk — Phase 2
- Discuss and approve Loris Chamber of Commerce request for funds
- Discuss and set Trick or Treat hours for Halloween
- Executive session — personnel matter and legal matters
Read the full summary
Loris City Council met on October 6, 2025 and acted on a slate of land-use and administrative items. It accepted annexation petition A-202508-002 for 54.88 acres at Diamond Shores (proposed as roughly 31.73 acres R-2 and 23.15 acres Industrial) and forwarded it to the Planning Commission for a zoning recommendation.
On second reading it passed Ordinance 08-25, rezoning about 18.8 acres from Industrial to Planned Development at Broad Street (U.S. 701) and Meadow Street, and Ordinance 09-25, rezoning about 3.8 acres from R-1.4 to C-2 (General Business) on the south side of Main Street (S.C. 9). It passed first reading of Ordinance 10-25, updating the Business License class schedule as required by Act 176 of 2020.
For the Meadow Walk Phase 2 subdivision, council accepted a deed of conveyance from DR Horton for the water and sewer infrastructure and approved a reduction of the developer's improvement guarantee. Council also approved $10,000.00 from hospitality tax funds for the Loris Chamber of Commerce, continuing several years of support for the Main Street community-events lot, and set Trick or Treat hours from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, October 31, 2025.
A single executive session covered one personnel matter and legal matters; no action or votes were taken in it. Residents addressed council during public comment on property maintenance on Watson Street, a disputed utility bill, the absence of posted approved minutes since April 2025, and an upcoming Veterans Day tribute.
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 pm.
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 — September 8, 2025 regular meeting
Consider annexation petition A-202508-002 — 54.88 acres, Diamond Shores, Agent
Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes gave details on the petition requesting annexation. If council votes to accept the petition, the matter is forwarded to the Planning Commission for a zoning recommendation; it does not commit the council to a zoning decision. The property is along Cannon Road, abutting the backside of Watson Park and extending to Cedar Street. The proposed split is approximately 31.73 acres R-2 (Residential, Medium Density) adjacent to Watson Park and 23.15 acres IND (Industrial) for the industrial park.
- What it is
- This is a vote on a petition to annex land along Cannon Road into the City of Loris. Accepting the petition does not decide the zoning; it sends the request to the Planning Commission, which makes a zoning recommendation. The land would be split into two parcels with different proposed zoning: one residential, one industrial.
- What it does
- Passed, this accepts annexation petition A-202508-002 for 54.88 acres along Cannon Road and forwards it to the Planning Commission for a zoning recommendation. The proposed split is 31.73 acres for R-2, Residential Medium Density zoning, and 23.15 acres for IND, Industrial zoning. Accepting the petition does not commit the council to a zoning decision.
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, including Attachment A (detailed master plan) and Exhibit 1 (map). First reading was September 8, 2025.
- What it is
- This is the second-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, and this one had its first reading on September 8, 2025.
- What it does
- Passed on second reading, this rezones 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.
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.
- What it is
- This is the second-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 second reading, this rezones about 3.8 acres on the southern side of Main Street (S.C. 9) from R-1.4, Residential, to C-2, General Business.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Amend the Business License Ordinance of the City of Loris to update the class schedule as required by Act 176 of 2020
City Clerk Melinda Price read Ordinance 10-25 by title only. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes gave details of the process of updating the Business License. This update is required by state law; the classification schedule must be updated every two years.
- What it is
- This ordinance updates the city's Business License Ordinance to match a class schedule required by state law (Act 176 of 2020). The state requires the classification schedule to be updated every two years. An ordinance needs two readings before it takes effect.
- What it does
- Passed on first reading, this advances toward a second reading an ordinance updating the class schedule in the city's Business License Ordinance to comply with Act 176 of 2020. It takes effect after a second reading.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Consider acceptance of deed of conveyance from DR Horton for Meadow Walk — Phase 2 utility infrastructure
The water and sewer infrastructure installed by the developer would be transferred to the city. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes gave details and confirmed the infrastructure has been completed.
- What it is
- This is a vote to accept a deed transferring water and sewer infrastructure in the Meadow Walk, Phase 2 subdivision from the developer, DR Horton, to the City of Loris. Once the city accepts the deed, it owns and maintains that infrastructure.
- What it does
- Approved, this accepts the deed of conveyance from DR Horton for the water and sewer infrastructure in Meadow Walk, Phase 2, transferring ownership of that infrastructure to the City of Loris.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Consider request by DR Horton for reduction of improvement guarantee for Meadow Walk — Phase 2
Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes explained that the original improvement guarantee is given by the developer to ensure infrastructure is properly installed and completed. DR Horton has completed the infrastructure in Meadow Walk, Phase 2.
- What it is
- An improvement guarantee is money or another form of security a developer puts up so the city can finish infrastructure work if the developer doesn't. This is a vote on DR Horton's request to reduce that guarantee for the Meadow Walk, Phase 2 subdivision, after the city confirmed the infrastructure there was completed.
- What it does
- Approved, this reduces the improvement guarantee DR Horton holds with the city for infrastructure in the Meadow Walk, Phase 2 subdivision.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Discuss and approve Loris Chamber of Commerce request for funds
For several years the city has provided $10,000.00 in funding to the chamber of commerce from hospitality tax funds to assist with rent and upkeep of the lot on Main Street used for community events. Mayor Suggs asked Samantha Norris, Executive Director, if she had anything additional regarding this year's funding request. Samantha explained exactly where the lot is located and some of the events held there.
- What it is
- This is a vote on the Loris Chamber of Commerce's yearly request for city funding to help with rent and upkeep of the Main Street lot used for community events. The city has provided this funding for several years.
- What it does
- Approved, this provides $10,000.00 to the Loris Chamber of Commerce, paid from hospitality tax funds, for rent and upkeep of the Main Street lot used for community events.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Discuss and set Trick or Treat hours for Halloween
Halloween falls on Friday night this year, which also happens to be the night of the Loris-Aynor football game. Mayor Suggs and council discussed setting the traditional hours of 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Halloween night.
Executive session — personnel matter and legal matters
Council entered executive session to discuss one personnel matter and legal matters presented by Attorney Brad Smith. Upon returning, Mayor Suggs announced that council discussed a personnel matter as well as legal matters; 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
- Public Safety open house. Firefighters and police officers will be hosting open house Tuesday October 7th at the Public Safety Building. Everyone is invited to attend.
- Police and fire department grants. The police department and fire department have both been awarded grants. Lieutenant Williams and City Fire Marshal Rudelitch have updates in their department reports.
- Blue Skies Counseling and Family Services. Blue Skies Counseling and Family Services have joined us as a new business in Loris. The ribbon cutting was held on Friday October 3rd and we are happy they decided to make Loris their home. Blue Skies Counseling Services is a Local Foster Care Agency, which happens to be the only one located in the Pee Dee Region.
- McLeod Loris Hospital 75th anniversary. McLeod Loris Hospital is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. McLeod Loris opened in 1950. Scott Montgomery, Administrator for McLeod, said that a celebration is being planned for November with more details to follow.
- Loris Lions football. The Loris Lions defeated the Dillon Wildcats in an exciting game, final score 23 to 22. Loris remains undefeated at 6 and 0 for the season. Loris Lions will be holding homecoming Friday October 9th. A homecoming parade will take place on Main Street at 4:00 pm with the Loris Lions facing the Waccamaw Warriors at Heniford Field at 7:30pm.
- Loris Bog-Off. Mayor Suggs announced the Great Loris Bog-Off will be held here Saturday, October 18th and at that time he turned it over to Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Samantha Norris, for her report.
- Chamber of Commerce report — Samantha Norris. Loris Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Samantha Norris was present to discuss the preparations being made for the upcoming Bog-Off. The Bog-Off will be held on October 18th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Samantha also announced Downtown Tuesday will start on October 7th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and follow every Tuesday except on dates that may conflict with other events. Trunk or Treat will be held on October 31st from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Samantha invites all to attend all events.
- Administrator's report. Interim Administrator Neighbours reported that mulch is being placed around the city and Fall and Halloween decorations are in process of completion before the Bog-Off. Several other beautification projects are in process of completion in the coming months.
- Committee reports. There were no committee meetings during the month of September.
- Code Enforcement & Planning. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes stated that written stat reports for August and September were included in the packets. She stated that the update on All Hazard Mitigation Task Force was completed with the county; the full plan comment period closed at the end of August and has now been submitted to the state. Once it has been approved, it will be adopted through council. We are also working with WRCOG on rural long range transportation plan which goes back to some of our grant funding. (Intersections that need some repairs.) There are also some grant opportunities coming up to assist with flood mitigation for 2026.
- Fire Department. No additions to written report.
- Police Department. Lieutenant Larry Williams stated that they had received three grants totaling: $73,730.42. Also, they just went through jury trials in September and that went great. Shana Mincey is nationally recognized as Loris Police Department's first and only Certified Forensic Investigator. Two officers have just completed training: Corporal Sackett is now a Certified Driving Instructor and Officer Strouhal is now a Certified Ground Defense Instructor. The police department also had two officers that welcomed new babies. Congratulations to those officers.
- Public Works. No written reports presented.
- Recreation. No additions to written reports. Councilwoman Joan S. Gause did question about what happened to the basketball goals at Watson Park. Interim Administrator Angel R. Neighbours explained the city is in the process of replacing the basketball goals as well as updating playground equipment at Watson Park. The city is waiting on PARD grant approval for this project.