Horry County, South Carolina — The team behind a proposed 78-bed adult mental facility is suing Horry County’s zoning appeals board, alleging that its decision to deny the plan violates federal law.
At a standing-room-only meeting on September 8, the county council-appointed panel denied Fran Sauvageau’s application to modify an existing 48,334-square-foot structure known as Hope Arbor Assisted Living at 12287 Highway 707 in Murrells Inlet.
The 6.28-acre property is near various neighborhoods, including Oak Arbor.
Healthcare facilities are permitted in the county’s highway commercial zone, but standalone psychiatric services must be added as a special use, and only if they are at least 2,000 feet from residential areas, schools, public parks, and other gathering places.
Sauvageau petitioned county officials in July for an exception to the 2,000-foot setback for his Asha Vista Behavioral Institute, and at the September public hearing, he faced objections from numerous neighbors who thought the usage was inappropriate for their community.
Sauvageau stated that Asha Vista would not treat anyone for alcohol or drug addiction, nor would it provide outpatient treatment.
“We are all about executing things well and well, and this will leave a legacy for those of us who will be present on a daily basis. “This is something we take very seriously and do exceptionally well,” Sauvageau told the board.
Among the reasons for dismissing Sauvageau’s application, board members stated that there would be a change of use that necessitates a commercial site plan to ensure appropriate parking.
Sauvageau’s case, filed Oct. 6 in Horry County Common Pleas Court, alleged that the zoning board’s decision violated American with Disabilities Act regulations.
According to the county application, Horry and Georgetown counties have only eight beds per 100,000 persons for adult psychiatric care, compared to the industry standard of 50 per 100,000.
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, South Carolina will rank 43rd in the US in terms of access to mental health treatments in 2023, with approximately 760,000 persons receiving inadequate treatment.
“This institute would not only relieve pressure on our overburdened systems, but would also affirm the inherent dignity and value of those living with mental illness,” said state Rep. Tim McGinnis, R-Myrtle Beach, in a letter of support to the court.
Adam Benson joined News13’s digital staff in January 2024. He is a seasoned South Carolina reporter who has previously worked for the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier, and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native who graduated from the University of Utah. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, @AdamNewshound12. View more of his work here.
Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist with News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. She joined the News13 team in June 2023. Follow Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X (previously Twitter). You may read more about her work here.
