I-73 Update 30-Day Public Comment Period

Charleston District of the US Army Corps of Engineers has placed the permit for I-73 on public notice. This is one of the last steps in the process to getting the construction permit for I-73. While the 30-day comment period is perceived by some as a formality, it is an important and necessary step and signals what Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce hopes is the end of a very complicated process.

With this in mind, we need to actively comment on the construction of I-73. To help you write a letter, MBACC is providing you with key facts supporting I-73 or you can download one of the letters below, sign, mail or return to MBACC to deliver for you. You can email your letter to Kathy.Richardson@VisitMyrtleBeach.com or drop it off at MBACC, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach. Each letter below highlights a key reason to build I-73. Please only submit one letter.

  • Click here to view SCDOT I-73 Public Notice
  • Mail letters to:
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    Charleston District, Columbia Field Office
    1835 Assembly St., Ste. 865 B-1
    Columbia, SC 29201

    Attn: Stephen A. Brumagin, Project Manager 

RESULTS: July 18 City Council Meeting

During the July 18 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, Employee Longevity Awards were presented to Heavy Equipment Operator/Welder Jimmy Wilson (20 years of service), Crew Leader I Isaiah Livingston (20), Fire Battalion Chief Mike Davis (20), Custodian Jackie McCullough (15), Motor Equipment Operator Lamorris Gore (10), Permit Clerk Betty Viles (10), Maintenance Worker Robert Jackson (10), Motor Equipment Operator Danny Vereen (5), Firefighter/EMT Joshua Beck (5). The City presents Longevity Awards in five year increments to employees who provide consistently excellent customer service.

Police Sergeant Raymond Pollack was named Supervisor of the Quarter for his successful role in coordinating the 11th Annual Palmetto Police Motorcycle Skills Competition held April 5-9 in North Myrtle Beach. The North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety was the host agency and the event brought together 51 motorcycle officers and their families from towns and cities in the United States and Canada. The annual competition helps to enhance motorcycle skills and at the same time enhances safety.

The event also raised about $10,000 for Camp Happy Days. Since 1982, over 1,500 children with cancer and their families have benefitted from Camp Happy Days’ cost-free, year-round programs. Camp Happy Days welcomes all children with cancer across South Carolina without charge. For more information, visit www.camphappydays.org.

The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach offered City Council a presentation on its accomplishments in 2015 and reviewed some of its future goals. According to the Humane Society Executive Director Sandi Kendrick, in 2015  762 animals were adopted, 115 were reunited with their owners, 122 were fixed through S.N.A.P., and 699 were micro-chipped. 122 animals were fostered and 1,061 homeless animals were provided shelter. 310 volunteers donated 10,155 hours of their time. 49,000 pounds of pet food were donated.

In 2015, the Humane Society incurred $387,557 in total expenses for animal care, employee payroll, insurance, supplies and other expenses. Total income received during that year was $383,243 largely from adoption fees, micro-chipping, donations, the City of North Myrtle Beach, events, fundraisers and other sources.

The Humane Society is also focused on achieving a larger, more modern building in which to house pets and do its work.

Current shelter conditions include kennels that have concrete floors that are not sealed properly or at all, which can contribute to the spread of disease. Chain link fencing exists between kennels, which allows nose to nose contact and creates opportunity for the transmission of disease. The kennels generally are in poor condition and require replacement. The shelter is inadequate for current programs and not viable for new programs. As the city has grown over the years, so has the need for more shelter space.

The Humane Society has begun the process of moving forward to build a new facility, which will take the help of the entire community. Requests for Information with conceptual building designs have been completed and reviewed. Preliminary schematics and pricing have been received. Preliminary materials and strategies for a capital marketing campaign have been received.

A new facility would provide a safe, efficient and sanitary environment for animals and staff; an appealing place for residents to adopt pets and volunteer; space in which to hold events and fundraisers; and space to provide pet education programs.

Following Kendrick’s presentation, Mayor Marilyn Hatley thanked the Humane Society for its work, and assured Kendrick that the City and the community would be involved in helping to shape a positive future for the Society’s important work in North Myrtle Beach.

Council passed motions to approve special events permits for the 13th Annual Irish Italian International Festival to be held 10am-4pm September 24 on Main Street, the 911 Candlelight Memorial Vigil to be held 7pm-8pm September 11 on Main Street, and the Trifecta Triathlon to be held 7:30am-10am September 11 on Main Street.

Council passed first reading of an ordinance to adopt the International Building Code. Standard codes relating to the regulation of construction activities are typically revised every three years. On July 1, 2016, in compliance with Section 6-9-50(A) of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976 as amended, the South Carolina Building Codes Council (BCC) formally adopted the following construction related codes for mandatory enforcement by all jurisdictions within the state. The mandatory codes that must be adopted include:

(1) International Building Code, 2015 Edition, with the S.C. Modifications.
(2) International Residential Code, 2015 Edition, with the S.C. Modifications
(3) International Fire Code, 2015 Edition, with the S.C. Modifications.
(4) International Mechanical Code, 2015 Edition.
(5) International Plumbing Code, 2015 Edition.
(6) International Fuel Gas Code, 2015 Edition.
(7) International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2015 Edition.
(8) International Energy Conservation Code, 2009 Edition.
(9) National Electrical Code, 2014 Edition.

City Council tabled until its August 15 meeting a petition to rezone one lot approximately 6.4 acres in size located on Main Street from HC (Highway Commercial) to PDD (Planned Development District).

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 20, Land Development Regulations, of the City’s Code of Ordinances. City staff is proposing a text amendment to the Land Development Regulations to clarify the process by which private streets may be converted to public streets. The Land Development Regulations address construction and acceptance of new public streets, but are silent with respect to the conversion of existing private streets.

To protect the City's financial posture, a procedure for evaluation of these streets should be established, with the possible requirement of maintenance bonds or other measures to bring the streets into an acceptable condition. The condition of such streets would be evaluated by the public works department, and if immediate maintenance or retrofitting of the streets or drainage systems is required, the department would come up with a cost estimate for that work. Then a resolution to convert them to public streets could be considered by City Council, with a recommendation by public works that a maintenance fee be paid in advance. Council would decide whether to assess the fee and/or accept the streets.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to amend the Zoning Text Amendment as it pertains to the Main Street Priority Investment Activity Center overlay concerning required parking.

Following Council's direction, staff referred back to the Planning Commission for its further consideration the original text amendment considered by Council in May. The revised amendment included a "fee-in-lieu" alternative, wherein a property owner could pay into a public parking development fund in lieu of providing their own required parking. The fee-in-lieu money would be used by the City to create additional parking in the Main Street area. The fee schedule has not been determined and would need to be established by Council at a future date.
L-R City Mgr. Mike Mahaney, Mike Davis, Jackie McCullough, Isaiah Livingston, Betty Viles, Robert Jackson, Danny Vereen, Joshua Beck, Lamorris Gore, Jimmy Wilson
L-R City Manager Mike Mahaney and Sergeant Raymond Pollack

North Myrtle Beach Fire/Rescue Takes Delivery of New Pierce 95-foot Mid-Mount Fire Truck

On July 15, North Myrtle Beach Fire/Rescue took delivery of a 2016 Pierce 95-foot Mid-Mount fire truck on an Arrow XT chassis. The new truck, which is now the city’s primary tower ladder, has been designated Truck 714 and is located at Fire Station #1, Second Avenue South.

The fire truck cost $1.2 million and was paid for out of the City’s capital improvements fund over two fiscal years. A fire truck of this type has an effective lifespan of about 20 years.

The new truck replaces a 1996 KME Aerial Cat 102 foot Rear-Mounted Aerial, which has been moved to another city fire station as a reserve apparatus. The KME served the City well as its primary tower ladder for 20 years. It was replaced due to its age and condition.

With the purchase of the new Pierce, the department has its third operational aerial device within the city limits.

The new fire truck features a 2000 gallons per minute Hale pump; 300 gallon poly tank; TAC-4 independent suspension; a 500 horse power Detroit (DD13) with an Allison Transmission; LED Headlights; an Onan 10Kw generator with two 150 foot cord reels; David Clarke Headsets for clear in-truck communication; seating for six fire/rescue personnel; and the Pierce Command Zone Multiplex System with monitors inside the cab, at the ladder turntable, and in the basket of the 95 foot aerial ladder. The truck also features a four-camera DVR system that allows for video recording of fire scenes for training purposes. The ladder compliment on the truck comes to 206 feet of ground ladders, including two 35 foot, two 28 foot, two 16 foot, an 18 foot, and a 10 foot attic ladders. A Little Giant Ladder also has a custom made storage box above the pump panel to save on compartment space.  

In North Myrtle Beach, police and fire personnel are cross-trained, and this influenced the new truck’s paint scheme and some of its features. The latest trend in fire truck colors has been a black over red paint scheme, but with neighboring fire departments already sporting that or a similar design, North Myrtle Beach Fire/Rescue decided to go with dark metallic blue over red, a reflection of the department’s cross-trained personnel—blue for police and red for fire/rescue. The colors can be seen well at night and in daylight. 

The truck also features several blue emergency lights, which may be a first for this region and possibly the state. Compared to other colors, blue is a very effective emergency light color and can been seen from farther away. The primary emergency lights are red.


The truck uses three Whelen Freedom Mini Light Bars as the primary light bar configuration. North Myrtle Beach’s street system is built on a grid, which means fire trucks need a lot of side angle lighting for visibility.

Tim Clark Band Performs in a FREE July 14 Concert on Main Street

The public is invited to enjoy a free concert featuring the Tim Clark Band on July 14, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. The Tim Clark Band offers country, dance and pop music.

Patrons and concert-goers are encouraged to bring their beach chairs.

Golf carts are allowed at this concert.

The free concert is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department's Music on Main summer concert series sponsored by Anderson Brothers Bank.

About The Tim Clark Band: Since its inception, The Tim Clark Band has been wowing audiences wherever they appear. Not only did the band quickly become the top-drawing band in their hometown of Myrtle Beach, SC, but they are also recognized as one of the most popular and versatile bands touring the Southeast.

The band is fronted by Tim Clark, who has been entertaining audiences up and down the East Coast for nearly 20 years. As lead singer for the immensely popular Charlotte, NC band Sugarcreek, Tim perfected his unique brand of showmanship, displaying a natural gift for winning over audiences.

For day of event weather information call the "Rec Check" hotline at (843) 280-5594 ext. 3, www.Facebook.com/NMBParksandRec, or visit their website http://parks.nmb.us.

Enjoy a FREE July 8 Showing of "Norm of the North (PG)" at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach

Enjoy a free July 8 showing of "Norm of the North (PG) " at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach. The movie starts 15 minutes after sunset (about 8:45 p.m.).

Patrons and movie-goers are encouraged to bring a beach chair or blanket to sit on. Concessions available from the North Myrtle Beach Lions Club.

The free movie is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department’s Movies @ McLean series sponsored by McLeod Seacoast.

ABOUT NORM OF THE NORTH: Norm (Rob Schneider) the polar bear doesn't know how to hunt, but he does possess the unique ability to talk to humans. When the wealthy Mr. Greene (Ken Jeong) unveils his idea to build luxury condos in the Arctic, Norm realizes that his beloved home is in jeopardy. Accompanied by three mischievous lemmings, Norm stows away on a ship to New York. Once there, he meets a surprising ally (Maya Kay) who helps him hatch a scheme to sabotage the shady developer's plans.

For day of event weather information call the “Rec Check” hotline at (843) 280-5594 ext. 3, www.Facebook.com/NMBParksandRec, or visit their website http://parks.nmb.us.

Most Recent South Carolina Department Of Health & Environmental Control Ocean Water Quality Test Results For The City Of North Myrtle Beach

South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (SC DHEC) ocean water quality tests for July 5 at the 10 sampling locations along the North Myrtle Beach shoreline show two locations with readings of 20 and eight locations with readings less than 10. The SC DHEC threshold is 104.

The ocean waters off the city of North Myrtle Beach are safe for swimming.

You can monitor ocean water quality tests performed by SC DHEC by going to the following website and zeroing in on North Myrtle Beach...or any other location along the South Carolina coastline: http://gis.dhec.sc.gov/beachaccess/

NMB Public Safety Officials Provide Motorist Alerts Regarding July 4th Cherry Grove Pier Fireworks Show


The North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety urges people who go to the July 4th, 9:30pm-10:00pm professional fireworks show at the Cherry Grove Pier to be aware of the following laws:
  • Discharging fireworks inside the city limits of North Myrtle Beach, including on the beach, is prohibited.
  • Operating a golf cart after dark is prohibited.
Public safety officials also urge motorists to be especially careful and patient when driving in the Cherry Grove area just prior to and following the fireworks show because the roadways will be very congested. 

Also, immediately following the fireworks show, public safety personnel will initiate a reverse traffic pattern in Cherry Grove in order to accommodate the large number of vehicles leaving the Cherry Grove area.  During the traffic reversal the following will occur:
  • Ocean Boulevard traffic will not be allowed to turn on to Sea Mountain Highway. Ocean Boulevard traffic will be allowed to move northbound and southbound only.
  • Motorists must access Highway 17 North via 11th Avenue North.
  • All northbound traffic on Nixon Street and Duffy Street must make a right hand turn on to Sea Mountain Highway.
  • All eastbound traffic on Sea Mountain Highway must turn right at Duffy Street and will be rerouted to Ocean Boulevard via 22nd Avenue North. 
  • Once fireworks show traffic has exited the Cherry Grove area, public safety personnel will initiate normal traffic patterns.
Those who traditionally enjoy the fireworks show while sitting on the beach should be aware that high tide will occur at 8:13 p.m. on July 4th, minimizing seating space on the beach.