Angela Christian

The Director presented an update on voter registration activities, including a review of the 2026 election calendar and the offices scheduled for the General Election ballot. The remaining FY26 budget was distributed for Board review. Key announcements included the opening of Board of Elections applications in April, the March 30 deadline for annual Statement of Economic Interests forms, and the scheduled pilot program, Board Member Learning Lab, for February 10. Furthermore, the Director noted that the South Carolina Election Commission will host required training in Georgetown County during the first quarter, and that some Murrells Inlet 1 voters are receiving new voter registration cards reflecting a polling location change. Discussions have also occurred regarding the potential incorporation of a new municipality. Board members expressed anticipation for the upcoming South Carolina Association of Registration and Elections conference.

The meeting addressed several variance requests under Old Business, including a request for a variance related to the front setback for constructing a detached garage on a single-family lot zoned Forest Agriculture, which was ultimately approved after discussion regarding drainage issues and buildable area restrictions caused by a proposed cul-de-sac. Under New Business, a variance request for setbacks to construct a detached shed on a Forest Agriculture property was deferred to allow the applicant to provide more information. A second variance request concerning the expansion of a front porch on a General Resort Residential property, which required a slight encroachment on the front setback, was approved due to unique lot circumstances and safety concerns regarding existing steps.

The meeting involved discussions and decisions regarding several variance requests. Old Business included a request (VAR2025-00079) from John Stopowski concerning a detached shed variance, which was deferred from the previous month. In New Business, a variance request (VAR2025-00083) from Elise Mueller for a detached garage setback variance was presented. A subsequent variance request (VAR2025-00079) from Bryan Torba (agent for John Stopowski) regarding setback requirements for a storage building was deferred to obtain more information from the applicant. Additionally, a variance request (VAR2025-00080) from Sallie Pepper and Patrick McCoy to expand a front porch and encroach on the front setback was approved.

The meeting addressed a variance request for a detached garage construction, which was deferred to allow the applicant to provide a detailed survey. Another variance request was for the construction of a storage building by the Murrells Inlet Garden City Fire Department, which was approved after discussion of the property's unique shape and the building's optimal placement. The meeting also covered the discussion around the storage of hazardous materials and alternative locations for the building.

The committee held presentations and discussions regarding funding requests for various events and projects. These included the Murrells Inlet 2020 Inc. for the Race for the Inlet, Oyster Roast, and Highway 17 Bypass Corridor Maintenance & Beautification, Litchfield Beaches Property Owners Association for the Beach Support Project, Georgetown Business Association for 2026 Holiday Events, Kiwanis of Pawleys Island Foundation for Art under the Oaks, Georgetown County Sheriff's Office for Beach Patrol, Main Street Pawleys Beautification Committee for Pawleys Island Raised Median Beautification, Litchfield Beautification Foundation for Hwy 17 Corridor Maintenance project, Pawleys Island Highway Beautification Program for Landscape Beautification, Brookgreen Gardens for US Highway 17 North Corridor Landscape Maintenance, Friends of the Kaminski House for the Kaminski House Concert Series, Garden City Beach Community Association for Highway Median Maintenance and Street Lighting, Murrells Inlet Garden City Fire District for MIMSI and Bike Week Medical Coverage, Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce TMC for Destination Marketing and Tourism Research, Friendship Place Inc. for the Annual Historic Georgetown Bridge2Bridge Run, Midway Fire Rescue for Water Rescue Response Improvements, Harbor Historical Association for the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, Winyah Auditorium for the Concert Series, Georgetown County Parks & Recreation for Garden City/Pawleys Island Beach & Bike Path Cleanup, Gullah Geechee Chamber Foundation Inc. for the Middle Passage Remembrance Historic Marker Unveiling, Georgetown Business Association for the Art and Wine Walk, Music in the Park, and Food Beer and Wine Festival, JB's Celebration Park Inc. for the South Carolina Crawfish Festival, and North Santee Community Action Club for the Annual Oyster Roast.