HORRY COUNTY, SC (WBTW) – Carolina Forest residents met Wednesday night to discuss a survey of the community, learning about how issues in their community can be addressed.

A committee put together a survey of about 800 residents called “Future of the Forest.” It asked Carolina Forest residents what they’re most concerned about and how the unincorporated community should be governed.

About 30 residents met at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center to learn about the survey’s findings. The number one concern of those surveyed was traffic on busy roads like U.S. Highway 501. 

Those who ran the survey say a solution may not come so quickly.

“Even the county doesn’t have enough money to immediately address the traffic issues,” said Bob McCaffrey, treasurer of the Carolina Forest Civic Association.

The fourth largest issue of beach access ties in with traffic concerns.

Residents say the county hasn’t prepared enough for the larger number of people moving to Carolina Forest.

“They’re not spending the resources to put the infrastructure in before these people get here,” said Jeff DeSantis of the Carolina Forest Civic Association. “So you’re putting a tax and a burden on the people who live here already.”

Another major concern in the survey is public safety.

Only about 17 percent of residents surveyed said they feel secure in their own homes.

“Up until just recently, we’ve only had three officers covering all of Carolina Forest,” McCaffrey said. “People don’t feel that’s adequate.”

The survey was released in November, but the Carolina Forest Civic Association says it narrowed down its objectives like deciding whether or not Carolina Forest should become a city.

“The next phase will be coming up with some actual numbers as to what the next steps would cost, what the impacts would be and then go back to the residents of carolina forest for what decision they would like to do,” DeSantis said.

The Carolina Forest Civic Association will also look at its legal and financial options.

The group will also host a discussion with the Horry County planning and zoning department at next month’s meeting.