<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=11Xxnc_1EbmoFXQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=11Xxnc_1EbmoFXQ00" width="600" height="450" ><figcaption>A developer wants to build a big-box anchor and a grocery store in this area along Mill Pond Road in Conway. The city's planning commission will discuss the project on Sept. 3, 2026. Charles D. Perry/Staff</figcaption></figure>CONWAY — Environmental groups are raising concerns about a developer's plans to fill wetlands for a Conway shopping complex that would include a big-box anchor and a grocery store.The developer is seeking approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fill nearly 5 acres of wetlands on a site along Mill Pond Road near the U.S. Highway 501 intersection."In the scheme of things, 5 acres of wetland fill given all of the development in Horry County is not that significant," said Becky Ryon of the Coastal Conservation League, one of the groups opposed to the project. "But given its location (and) the millions of dollars spent on flood mitigation in Crabtree Swamp, it is concerning."Crabtree Canal was carved through the swamp following major flooding in the 1960s, and in recent years the city has invested millions in stormwater infrastructure for the flood-prone area."The city, county and federal agencies have spent years and significant public funds trying to fix it — and this project threatens to undermine that work," the South Carolina Environmental Law Project said in a social media post highlighting the Sept. 3 city planning commission meeting where the project is scheduled to be discussed.Meanwhile, the Corps of Engineers is still evaluating the developer's permit application after soliciting comments from the public, agency spokesman Dylan Burnell said in an email.Some of those comments came from residents worried about the area's history of flooding.<h2>Big plans for a big-box project</h2>City leaders are being asked to rezone just over 67 acres for the project, and a development agreement has also been proposed that would allow a nearby water tower to be repainted with advertising for the shopping center.No retailers have been identified by city officials, but records indicate the project would include a 50,887-square-foot grocery store and a major anchor spanning more than 140,000 square feet. There would also be five shops on the grocery store's side of the center and nine outparcels, according to city documents. A portion of the property would be set aside for multifamily housing, too."That's really important for us," Conway Mayor Barbara Blain said.Should the planning commission make a recommendation on the project next week, the council could take its first vote on the proposal by Sept. 21.Ryon pointed out that the developer is moving forward with the city rezoning despite not knowing whether a federal permit will be issued for the project. She also noted that regulators have typically pushed back on developing in wetlands if a project doesn't have water access, say, the way a marina would."A retail complex doesn't really fit into that scenario," she said.<h2>Records show developer's case for project</h2>In records submitted to the Corps of Engineers, the developer contends the project avoids more than 7 acres of wetlands in the area."The final layout reflects a design that preserves the larger contiguous wetland systems on-site while directing development toward upland and wetland areas that have previously disturbed via clear cutting," those records state.Jessica Hucks, the city's planning and development director, told council members on Aug. 17 that the project has designated open space areas near Lochwood Lane.Councilman William Goldfinch added that some of the land along Mill Pond Road only appears low because of how high the road was built."It looks that way," he said. "That's sort of how I've been explaining it."The development proposal comes from Rise Partners, the same commercial real estate firm that bought the nearby Coastal Centre in October 2024 and transformed the dying complex by bringing in retailers like Marshalls, PetSmart, Burlington and Ulta Beauty.A representative for Rise, which has offices in North Carolina and Tennessee, did not respond to requests for comment.In records provided to the Corps, the developer said during construction the company would follow best practices for erosion and sediment control to prevent indirect impacts to adjacent waters and wetlands."Disturbed areas will be stabilized in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements to ensure the protection of downstream aquatic resources," the document noted.<h2>Are there other alternatives?</h2>The Coastal Conservation League's Ryon said there are better options for more commercial development.She said the developer could consider other parcels in the U.S. Highway 501 corridor or look for vacant retail space to repurpose. She noted that the nearby Coastal Centre "is a great example of redevelopment."Another option, she said, would be to eliminate some of the retail and restaurant spots on the development plan to avoid wetlands. She fears a gas station could be built in the wetlands, creating the potential for underground storage tanks to leak."I wonder if they've really considered all of the alternatives," she said.<h2>City looking at financing tools</h2>Despite the opposition, some city officials have publicly expressed support for the project. During last week's council meeting, they even briefly touched on potential economic development incentives for the shopping center.City Administrator Adam Emrick said one potential development tool would require county support, but he didn't think the county would agree to the terms because the development is for a retail complex, not an industrial plant."We're hopeful that we're able to make it work with some of the other financing tools that they're looking at," he said.Goldfinch agreed."I would hope that we can perhaps convince (the county) that a big retail project is in fact industrious for Conway and industrial in nature," he said.The planning commission meets at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3. in the Planning and Development Conference Room at 196 Laurel St.</div></body>

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CONWAY — Environmental groups are raising concerns about a developer's plans to fill wetlands for a Conway shopping complex that would include a big-box anchor and a grocery store. The developer is seeking approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fill nearly 5 acres of wetlands on...

A developer wants to build a big-box store in Conway. Conservation groups are pushing back.

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CONWAY — Environmental groups are raising concerns about a developer's plans to fill wetlands for a Conway shopping complex that would include a big-box an

A developer wants to build a big-box store in Conway. Conservation groups are pushing back.

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