News Title:Proposed 472-Acre Development Near Highway 501 in Myrtle Beach Includes 394 Single-Family Homes, 392 Multifamily Units and Commercial Space
A major mixed-use development, tentatively being identified as the “Collins Tract”, is being proposed for approximately 472.8 acres along Middle Ridge Road in the Myrtle Beach area of Horry County. The proposed planned development would include 394 single-family homes, 392 multifamily units, and commercial space. With its location near Highway 501 and the Legends Golf Complex, the property sits within a well-connected part of the Grand Strand where residential growth and commercial development continue to shape the landscape.
The property is the subject of a Horry County rezoning application to change the property's zoning from Commercial Forest Agriculture (CFA) to Planned Development District (PDD), allowing a coordinated mix of residential and commercial uses. The proposed plan includes 786 residential units across approximately 472.8 acres, with a stated gross and net density of 1.68 dwelling units per acre.
A Prime Location Near Highway 501 and the Legends Golf Complex
One of the property's notable advantages is its location in the broader Highway 501 corridor, placing the proposed development within reach of shopping, dining, services, employment centers, and recreational destinations throughout the Myrtle Beach area. Highway 501 is a major route connecting Conway and inland communities with Myrtle Beach, while the surrounding road network provides access to established neighborhoods and commercial destinations.
The property is also near the Legends Golf Complex, a well-known golf destination featuring multiple courses and a resort-style golf experience. The nearby golf facilities add to the area's recreational appeal, while the Highway 501 corridor offers access to everyday services and regional attractions. Together, these location advantages could support a development offering several housing options alongside commercial uses intended to serve future residents and the surrounding community.
The location places the proposal within a broader pattern of residential and commercial growth rather than an isolated rural setting. Nevertheless, the project's ultimate convenience will depend on its final access arrangements, any required road improvements, and the capacity of the surrounding transportation network as development continues in the area.
Why the Rezoning Request Is Significant
Although the property is currently zoned Commercial Forest Agriculture (CFA), its future land-use designation under Horry County's Imagine 2040 Comprehensive Plan is Mixed Use. That distinction is important when considering the direction of the rezoning request.
Horry County's comprehensive plan encourages large, master-planned developments that integrate different land uses to support local residents and the regional economy. The proposed Planned Development District (PDD) would provide a framework for combining single-family homes, multifamily housing, and commercial space within one coordinated development. The Mixed Use designation therefore provides a meaningful planning rationale for the applicant's proposal, although it does not guarantee that the rezoning will be approved.
The proposed overall density of 1.68 dwelling units per acre and the designation of approximately 278.85 acres as open space are also important elements of the plan. The application includes landscaped and undisturbed buffers, a proposed five-acre land dedication to Horry County, and a future walking-trail easement. These features form part of the applicant's proposed approach to organizing development across a large property.
Horry County must still evaluate the specific proposal, including its potential traffic impacts, infrastructure requirements, environmental constraints, compatibility with surrounding properties, and the terms of the accompanying development agreement. The final outcome will depend on the county's review and decision-making process, not solely on the property's future land-use designation.
Residential Development Planned in Phases
The proposed single-family portion would be built in three phases, with construction extending over several years. Phase 1 would include approximately 100 lots, with development work estimated to begin in the first quarter of 2028 and all homes occupied by the end of 2030.
Phase 2 would add approximately 152 lots, with development work anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2029 and all homes occupied by the end of 2032. Phase 3 would include approximately 142 lots, with work projected to begin in the first quarter of 2031 and all homes occupied by the end of 2035.
The multifamily component is anticipated to begin development work in the first quarter of 2029, with completion targeted by the end of 2033. Although the rezoning request identifies 392 multifamily units, the detailed development schedule lists the final number of units as yet to be determined. The timing and scale of the commercial component will depend on market conditions.
These dates are estimates in the proposed development schedule rather than guaranteed construction milestones. Actual timing will depend on approvals, infrastructure, market conditions, and the developer's implementation of the plan.
Commercial Space, Open Space and Community Features
The preliminary plan identifies approximately 33.33 acres for commercial use, potentially providing space for businesses and services serving future residents and the surrounding area. The plan also designates approximately 278.85 acres as open space, a substantial portion of the overall property.
Additional proposed site features include a 25-foot PDD Type A buffer along Middle Ridge Avenue, 25-foot Type B buffers along the sides and rear of the property, a 25-foot Type C landscape buffer, and a 15-foot undisturbed wetland buffer. The specific buffer requirements vary by location and are intended to establish separation between the development and surrounding areas.
The plan also proposes dedicating five acres to Horry County and providing an easement for a future 10-foot-wide walking trail along the southeasternmost property line. A six-foot earthen berm along Middle Ridge Avenue is included in the proposed development agreement.
Development Agreement Establishes Additional Obligations
Along with the rezoning request, the project includes a proposed development agreement between Realstar Acquisitions, LLC, and Horry County. The agreement outlines additional commitments associated with the development, including the five-acre land dedication, the earthen berm, a future walking-trail easement and other terms.
Upcoming Horry County Hearing and Review Schedule
The rezoning request and accompanying development agreement are moving through Horry County's review process. The hearing and consideration schedule provided for this case is as follows:
October 29, 2026 – First Planning Commission hearing: Scheduled for the Planning Commission workshop at 3 p.m.
November 5, 2026 – Second Planning Commission hearing: Public hearing scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
November 17, 2026 – Consent agenda.
December 8, 2026 – Public comment.
January 5, 2027 – Reading.
The November 5 public hearing is scheduled at the Horry County offices at 1301 Second Avenue in Conway. The October 29 workshop provides an additional opportunity for the proposal and its development agreement to be reviewed.
The rezoning application was previously deferred, and these dates reflect the schedule supplied for its continued consideration. The listed milestones do not, by themselves, establish that the rezoning or development agreement has been approved.
A Significant Proposal to Watch
If approved, the project would introduce a combination of single-family housing, multifamily residences, and commercial space on a large tract along Middle Ridge Road. Its location near Highway 501 and the Legends Golf Complex, together with the property's Mixed Use future land-use designation, gives the proposal a clear connection to the broader growth pattern of the Myrtle Beach area.
The comprehensive plan's support for integrated, master-planned development is a meaningful consideration in evaluating the request. At the same time, the proposed project's scale makes the details of traffic, infrastructure, environmental protection, and the development agreement important factors in the county's review.
With the estimated buildout extending into the mid-2030s, this is a long-term proposal rather than an immediate construction project. The upcoming hearings should provide further insight into how the county evaluates the requested zoning change and whether the development advances as proposed or requires revisions.