RESULTS: September 21 City Council Meeting

During the September 21 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, five City employees were recognized for their service to North Myrtle Beach taxpayers and visitors. Earning awards were Brendon Bellamy (20 years service), George Willard (15), Victoria Downey (10), Sean Hoelscher (5), and Joshua Kinney (5).

L-R: City Manager Mike Mahaney, Brendon Bellamy, George Willard, Victoria Downey, Joshua Kinney, Sean Hoelscher

City Council issued a proclamation declaring October 12-16 to be First Book of Horry County Week in North Myrtle Beach. First Book, through innovative approaches, tackles the single biggest obstacle to the development of literacy—access to books—and nationwide has provided more than 130 million books to children in need, increased access to needed materials for educators and administrators, and helped to elevate educational opportunities for the nation’s most disadvantaged youth.

L-R: Mayor Marilyn Hatley and First Book of Horry County volunteers

First Book of Horry County has since 1998 provided more than 50,000 books to children in the Grand Strand area. First Book also awards grants to local programs with a literacy component, providing a steady diet of books to children.

Children and adults who are illiterate or have low literacy skills face poor education, employment, and health outlooks. Many will not graduate from high school, will earn barely enough income to stay above the poverty level, and will be more likely to engage in criminal and anti-social behaviors. Over the course of their lifetimes, each such person will cost the United States more than $250,000.

City Council passed second (final) reading of an ordinance to rezone .61 acres off Little River Neck Road near the City of North Myrtle Beach Water Tower from HC (Highway Commercial to R-3 (Mobile Manufactured Home Residential). City staff requested the change to clarify the location of the HC zoning district as originally designated when the city was first incorporated in 1968. The rezoning lessens the area of HC zoning by establishing the new HC zoning district approximately 300 feet into the parcel from the edge of the Sea Mountain Highway right of way.

Council passed second reading of an ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance text to change the development standards for mixed use within the Highway Commercial (HC) zoning district. In May 2015, City Council approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance text to limit the amount of multifamily allowed by-right within the HC zoning district. The revision allows a single residential unit to be constructed above a commercial use within HC, which was staff’s original intention.

Council approved a motion to appoint Mike Eddings to the North Myrtle Beach Election Commission.

Council approved a motion to appoint Woody Caine to the North Myrtle Beach Election Commission to serve out the one year remaining on Susan Trexler’s term. Trexler resigned from the Commission because she has moved outside the city limits. Commission members must live within the city limits.

Council approved a motion to approve an event permit for the 2015 Endless Summer Festival, which will be held on Saturday, October 31, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., on Main Street. The festival offers live music, arts and crafts, food, and more.

Council passed second reading of an ordinance to lease a portion of the Lake located at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex to Apex Wake Parks, LLC for the operation of a cable wake park amenity. The cable system will pull people on water skis, wake boards, etc., over the leased portion of the lake. The term of the lease will be for a period of ten years with an option by the lessee to extend the lease for two additional renewal terms of 10 years per renewal term. It is anticipated that the cable wake park will open in March 2016.

Council conducted a public hearing regarding the City of North Myrtle Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan.

At the request of the applicant, Council withdrew from the agenda first reading of an ordinance to amend the North Beach Plantation Planned Development District phase III Tower (Oceanfront Villas) within the "Oceanfront Towers.”

Council passed first reading of a request to amend the Surf Estates Planned Development District (PDD). Nick Nye, authorized agent for Cherry, LLC, requested an amendment to the Surf Estates PDD to allow changes to the previously approved Commercial "8" portion of the project. Specifically, the owner wishes to change a single-use gas station to a three-unit commercial use including a gas station, with parking and rear connector adjustments, adding a drive up window with two order lanes, and including a new connecting center lane providing access to Sea Mountain Highway.

The proposed commercial building would be split into three separate tenants, with one unit to be used as a gas station/convenience store, one unit to be used as a restaurant, and one unit to be used as a retail shop. The gas station/convenience store would be 1,800 square feet; the restaurant 2,000 square feet, and the shop 1,600 square feet; totaling 5,400 square feet.

Additionally, six gas pumps are proposed, consistent with the approved plans.

Council members discussed ingress and egress to the property at length, and also asked that, prior to second reading, Nye provide architectural renderings for the commercial building that offer a look more in keeping with nearby residential development.

Council passed first reading of an ordinance to approve the sale of property to Santee Cooper and to authorize the City Manager to sign the documents necessary for the transaction.

In 2012, the City purchased property from Horry County for future expansion for a water tank site, a wastewater pump station site, and a future electric substation site. The latter portion of the property was intended for a future sale to Santee Cooper. Santee Cooper is now ready to purchase the site. The City acquired the site from Horry County for $79,000, the same amount proposed for sale to Santee Cooper.