RESULTS: December 5 North Myrtle Beach City Council Meeting

North Myrtle Beach, SC – December 5, 2016 – During the regularly scheduled December 5 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, City Council tabled first reading of an ordinance to amend the Barefoot Resort Dye Club Planned Development District (PDD). Coastal Resort Holdings has requested a reconfiguration of Tract IMF-3 located in the Dye Club by changing the approved residential uses from detached to attached, increasing the approved density and creating a new parking lot and site design. City Council has scheduled a December 14, 2:00 p.m. public workshop at City Hall to discuss the proposed amendment to the PDD.

City Council tabled until its December 19 meeting second reading of an ordinance to amend the Bahama Island Planned Development District, also known as North Myrtle Beach RV Resort and Drydock. An associated Development Agreement must be completed before second reading can occur.

City Council tabled first reading of an ordinance to rezone 9.33 acres of land located at the corner of Hillside Drive and 10th Avenue South from R-1 (Single Family Residential Low Density) to R-1B (Single Family Residential Low-Medium Density). With the exception of one lot with a single family home, the property is vacant and undeveloped as a remnant secondary dune. City Council will hold a January 4, 2:00 p.m. public workshop at City Hall to discuss the proposed rezoning.

City Council approved a motion to appoint Faye Chowning, Taylor Jones and Ron Nichols to the City’s Accommodations Tax Committee.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to rescind section 21-39 of the Code of Ordinances for the City entitled, “Pay and Display Parking.”
The City will no longer use the Pay and Display method of payment for City parking lots that require payment. In place of Pay and Display, those who want to park in City-owned parking lots that require payment would use an app called Passport Parking from a cellular telephone or a tablet to pay to park. For those who do not use a smart phone or tablet, Passport Parking also allows payment via standard cellular phone or payment through its website.

City parking lots requiring payment would be posted with signage informing users of the payment method, where they can download the app for free (Apple's App Store or Google Play), a web address for online payment, and a phone number to call if they do not have a smart phone or tablet. 

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to establish paid parking lots and paid parking zones, and to establish the method of payment for the same.

The proposed ordinance authorizes the City Manager to establish certain City-owned parking lots, public street ends and parking areas within public rights of way as paid parking lots and/or parking zones. It also authorizes the City Manager to establish the method for payment of the posted parking fees via kiosks or meters, mobile phone apps, pay-by-internet or phone or any other method of payment that may be available.

When it comes to paid parking in general, the City of North Myrtle Beach has for several years had one Pay and Display parking lot on 4th Avenue South adjacent to a large resort accommodation. The City plans to turn two existing oceanfront public parking lots, one at 3rd Avenue North and one at 4th Avenue North, into paid parking lots. Also, after improvements have been made to an oceanfront public parking lot at 3rd Avenue South, it will become a paid parking lot.

The public parking lots at 3rd Avenue North and 4th Avenue North are often filled throughout the day with cars belonging to the employees and guests of an adjacent resort accommodation. While their parking preference is not illegal, it does make it necessary for residents and visitors not associated with the resort to park on the second row and lug their equipment to the beach. By introducing paid parking to the two oceanfront lots, the City hopes to motivate the resort’s employees and guests to use an existing free public parking lot on the second row on 4th Avenue North or to park in the resort’s own parking facility, freeing up the oceanfront spaces for other users.

The public parking lot at 3rd Avenue South, also adjacent to a large property, has experienced similar problems. Those same problems also motivated the City to establish paid parking at its 4th Avenue South parking lot several years ago.

The parking fee at each of the four paid parking lots would be $1 per hour.

In making these parking changes, the City is not embarking on the widespread introduction of paid parking throughout North Myrtle Beach but is using paid parking as a tool to resolve specific, limited issues.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to rescind the current language of code section 21-33 and to replace it with language authorizing the use of an immobilization device or boot on vehicles parked on public property that have been declared a public nuisance.

Vehicles found parked on any street or other public property, which are found to be the subject of

$75 or more past due on previous traffic or parking citations, will be declared to be a public nuisance. The owner of the vehicle will be required to pay all outstanding traffic and or parking citations prior to the release of the vehicle to the owner.

Cherry Grove Dredging Project Update

As of Mid-Day on Monday, November 28 (see attached map for channel locations) the status of the dredging of the channels in Cherry Grove is as follows:

Channel E:    Complete
Channel F:    Complete
Channel G:    Complete
Channel H:    Ongoing –  Over halfway down the canal.
Channel J:    Dredging started in canal entrance.
Channel L:    Complete

Minor Channel (Runs Perpendicular to the Lettered Canals):   Ongoing.

Dredging Schedule: Since we issued a two week schedule in early November, we have learned that issuing a per-channel dredging schedule is not a meaningful exercise. Either of the two dredges being used can encounter materials other than sand or mud, such as rocks, boards and other debris, during the dredging process. That throws off projected time frames. Also, not every channel has the same volume of material in it. In one channel it might be feasible to dredge from high tide through to low tide, while in another, work must stop at mid-tide. Additionally, the pipeline must be extended or retracted, depending on the locations of the dredges.

The Great Christmas Light Show in North Myrtle Beach

The Great Christmas Light Show is a park-wide lighted celebration that is sure to capture the true spirit of the season! The drive through light show will feature over 1.7 million lights festively displayed along a 1.5 mile drive throughout the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex.

Over 400 magical light displays, some up to 50 feet long, have been custom made for The Great Christmas Light Show. Visitors will experience 14 enchanting animated figures and holiday scenes where the lights will come to life. After the journey through the light show, we invite everyone to park their car and visit Santa’s Village where they can enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores, get an up close look at the lights on the Santa Express Train Ride, ice skate, experience the Go Ape lighted tree top adventure, and, of course, meet Santa!

Hours & Admission Gates open 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm November 25 – December 10: Thursday, Friday and Saturday December 15-30: Every Night (Closed on Christmas Day December 25) 1-15 guests: $15 per vehicle 16-30 guests: $30 per vehicle 31+ guests: $60 per vehicle (call 843-280-5570 to schedule buses)

Santa’s Village Park your car and walk over to Santa’s Village where you’ll find… · Visits with Santa – FREE! Don’t forget your camera! · Petting Zoo - FREE · Ice Skating –A festive activity for all. $5 for 30 minutes (includes skates.) · Village Treats – Hot Chocolate and s’mores! Bar B Que and Hot dogs with sides · Santa Express Train Ride – Hop aboard and get an up close look at the lights! Tickets are $2 per person. Children 2 & under may ride for free if sitting in the lap of an adult. · Go Ape Lighted Adventure – A 10-15 minute mini treetop experience with a zip line overlooking Santa’s Village. $10 for 1 loop and zip line or $15 for 2 loops and 2 zip lines.

 
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Work Begins on Ocean Boulevard Underground Power Conversion & Utilities Project in the Crescent Beach Section of North Myrtle Beach

The City of North Myrtle Beach has contracted with R.H. Moore Company, Inc. to perform the Ocean Boulevard Underground Power Conversion & Utilities Project in the Crescent Beach section of North Myrtle Beach between 15th Avenue South and 28th Avenue South. The work begins the week of November 28 and will occur in phases over several years.

The project includes placing overhead power and communications utilities underground, and installing water and sewer system upgrades. The cost of the power and communications utilities conversion is about $7.3 million, and the cost of the water and sewer improvements is about $3.5 million.

The first phase on Ocean Boulevard, will start this week at 21st Avenue South and progress south. The work will occur during the winter and spring. The contractor will then demobilize for the summer of 2017 and return to work in September 2017, continuing at 21st Avenue South and progress north to 15th Avenue South.

As the work proceeds, Ocean Boulevard will be closed in two block increments, with Perrin Drive being used to detour traffic around the work zone. The contractor will maintain access to all properties fronting Ocean Boulevard.

Also, the City of North Myrtle Beach will take bids for widening and roadway improvements to Ocean Boulevard during the spring of 2017. The project will widen Ocean Boulevard from 17th Avenue South to 28th Avenue South from two lanes to three lanes, including sidewalk installation, intermittent landscape medians, and drainage improvements.  Construction on the improvements is scheduled to begin in September 2017 on the section of Ocean Boulevard between 21st Avenue South and 28th Avenue South. The roadwork contractor will demobilize for the summer of 2018 and return in September 2018 to complete the section between 21st Avenue South and 15th Avenue South. The total project cost of $4,500,000 is funded by SCDOT through GSATS, with design and right-of-way cost about $1 million and construction cost currently estimated at $3.5 million.

City Partners with HomeServe USA to Offer Optional Service Plan for its Water & Sewer Customers


The city of North Myrtle Beach is providing a new optional service program to its water and sewer customers through a partnership with HomeServe USA. 



The city has found that many of its customers become frustrated when they discover a leaking water service line on their side of the property line and then learn that it is their responsibility as the homeowner to fix this this piping.  These repairs can be costly, and the unexpected expense of repairing a service line can be a blow to a homeowner’s budget.  One way to address this need is to offer an optional service program that would protect homeowners from the cost and inconvenience of repairs.



The city has selected HomeServe as a provider of residential service line protection due to their track record of providing quality service to homeowners around the country and here in South Carolina, where HomeServe has also been approved to provide their services by the Charleston Water System, the City of Columbia, the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority, and Darlington County Water & Sewer Authority, among others.



Homeowners who purchase one of the optional HomeServe service plans will receive financial protection against repair costs and facilitated repairs using local area licensed and approved contractors.



Examples of services offered by HomeServe include:  



External Water Service Line Coverage



As a home ages, so does the exterior water service line that brings fresh water to the house. If this line fails, repair or replacement can be expensive and most basic homeowners insurance doesn't cover repairs to the line on your property. There's no way to prevent a water service line emergency, but homeowners can be prepared with affordable Exterior Water Service Line Coverage.

The city and HomeServe have worked together to create this program and associated educational materials to ensure the program meets the needs of North Myrtle Beach homeowners. 



Interior Plumbing & Drainage System Coverage



There is a complex plumbing system inside a home. Drains can get blocked or clogged by sediment or grease, toilets can overflow and water pipes can leak. When an unexpected plumbing repair is needed, homeowners need qualified help before water damage occurs. Keep your pipes drained and not your bank account with affordable Interior Plumbing and Drainage System Coverage



Exterior Sewer/Septic Line Coverage



The buried sewer/septic line on one’s property that carries waste away from the home can age, crack or leak due to simple wear and tear, tree roots or shifting ground. This line can also get blocked and cause waste water to backup into a home. Get protection from time-consuming and expensive repair costs with Exterior Sewer/Septic Line Coverage and keep what's underground covered.



The cost of the service program is borne entirely by HomeServe, and the city will not incur any expense related to this program.



Shortly, North Myrtle Beach homeowners will receive information in the mail about this new program.



More information about the program is also available on a website established by HomeServe: www.NMBRepairPlans.com    

Get Ready for Small Business Saturday on Nov 26

As a Neighborhood Champion, Thomas Real Estate, Inc. is proud to support Small Business Saturday® and help make it a success for our community. Small Business Saturday is the day founded by American Express in 2010 to help small business owners with their most pressing need - getting more customers. This year, even more resources are available for your business to help you feel more love from shoppers on Nov 26.



Learn how to attract more customers. The new Shop Small® Studio is a one-stop destination for your Small Business Saturday promotional needs, including FREE custom downloadable marketing materials for your storefront, website and social networks.


Tap into knowledge. Small Business Saturday 101 offers tips and insights from business owners and people in the know to help you make the most of the Shop Small Studio marketing materials.

Get started. Visit the new Shop Small® Studio at ShopSmall.com/GetInvolved to start promoting today.

Be part of Small Business Saturday 2016 and help your community thrive.

City of NMB Thanksgiving Holiday Work Schedule


  • City Hall Closed November 24 and November 25.
  • J. Bryan Floyd Community Center Closed November 24 and November 25.
  • NMB Aquatic & Fitness Center Closed November 24.
  • Sanitation Schedule – No Service November 24. All November 24 customers will be serviced November 25.
  • Public Safety – Regular Schedule.