Mural added to controversial water tower

Some residents in one Carolina Forest neighborhood are reacting strongly to a change near their homes.  A water tower was constructed a few months ago near the homes.  Now it has a new paint job to try to better blend in with the sky. 

The Farm at Carolina Forest is just like most other neighborhoods in the area.  Drive a few miles down the road, and one area has a noticeable difference.  People around there are trying to make the best out of something that has them concerned about their property value.

One resident, Laurie Harlost says, “We tried to get a pretty mural painted on there and we agreed to the clouds.“

The residents we spoke to today all agree they don’t like the water tower near their own back yards.

“I haven’t spoken to everybody, but most of us feel that it looks like the paint’s peeling on it already.  It just was not a very professional job and it just adds to the disappointment.“>

Harlost’s neighbor thinks about it differently

Another resident, Laurie Gabriel says, “I feel Grand Strand Water and Sewer has been working with us as neighbors and that they are trying to make it as appealing as possible.“

Neighbors say the Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority started zoning and constructing the tower without notifying the residents.  That upset many of them.  News 13 spoke with an official at the company, and they say the state law and county guidelines did not require public notice at that time.  They say they met with homeowners in the affected area several times before deciding on the clouds mural.

Gabriel adds, “I would’ve liked to have seen a different outcome without the water tower being right by our homes, however it is nice to know that maybe we’ll be helping someone in the future, so that it doesn’t happen in their neighborhood.“

Another neighbor who lives right in front of the tower says the design looks silly.  He has also been told by a local real estate agent his home no longer has any value.

News 13 reported in May about how Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority had not obtained a building permit with the county at the time.  This happened while they were first working on the tower.  Horry County officials made the company pay a fine.