North Myrtle Beach Farmer's Market Opens May 6, 2019

The North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market opens Monday, May 6 at 925 1st Avenue South, between the North Myrtle Beach Library and City Hall. 

The Market will be open 10:00 .a.m. – 3:00 p.m. each Monday through October 28.

The Market offers vegetables, fruits, baked goods, flowers, plants, seafood, artisan crafts, jams and jellies, and much more.

Parking: Please do not park in the library parking lot. There is some free on-site parking at the Market and plenty of free parking in the adjacent City Hall parking lot.

The North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market is part of the Waccamaw Market Cooperative (www.waccamawmarkets.org), whose members circulate to different Farmers Markets over the course of each week.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, Awards North Myrtle Beach Storm Damage Reduction Project Contract

North Myrtle Beach, SC – April 30, 2019 – On May 13, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, will begin a storm damage reduction (beach nourishment) project in North Myrtle Beach. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC will execute the project.

The public may track the progress of the project on a real-time basis by using the District’s web mapper at https://arcg.is/1591Wu

It will take 30-45 days to complete the federally funded project.

For the first section of the project, the contractor will access the beach from Sea Mountain Highway. The contractor will set up a crane on the beach on Monday, May 6 to assemble the CRAB, the very tall, wheeled machine (see photo) that measures the grade/slope of the beach prior to and after nourishment. Trucks will back out onto beach on mats to provide the parts for CRAB construction.

During active construction, the vast majority of the beach will remain open and available for the public to enjoy.

The project, which replaces some 280,000 cubic yards of sand eroded by Hurricane Florence, originally was to merge with last year’s Hurricane Irma beach nourishment project but delays in completing the Myrtle Beach segment pushed the North Myrtle Beach segment into spring 2019. 

The project stretches for about 2.7 miles along the North Myrtle Beach shoreline from 22nd Avenue North to 54th Avenue North and from Ocean Creek Drive to 43rd Avenue South.

“This storm damage reduction project aims to minimize the impacts to people and property behind the dunes in a storm event,” said Wes Wilson, project manager. “While we acknowledge that people may see temporary inconveniences while the project is underway, the project has many long-term benefits, especially during storm season.”

During construction, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, usually completing up to 500 feet per day, barring mechanical or weather/sea condition delays. This means that active construction moves quickly and will only be in front of any particular building or area for two or three days.

Beach-goers may cross pipelines running along the beach, outside of any fenced areas, where the contractor places crossover sand ramps. The public should keep away from pipelines and only cross them at the sand ramps.

Since the project takes place during sea turtle nesting season, the contractor will comply with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammals Protection Act.

North Myrtle Beach Tree of the Month for May 2019


The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board has selected a tulip poplar located on a lot owned by Mrs. Connie Gardner Knotts at 22nd Avenue South and Hillside Drive as Tree of the Month for May. The tree is about 40 years old. 

Tulip poplar is one of the tallest Native American hardwoods. Early North American explorers were impressed with the size of the tulip poplars discovered in the New World and used the tree to create long, straight logs to build cabins.

Samples of tulip poplar went to Europe for cultivation and today it is one of the most popular American trees grown in France and England.

After the Civil War, railroads accessed southern Appalachia and massive logging of tulip poplar ensued. The wood goes into furniture, flooring, general construction, plywood, and paper pulp.

Native Americans used tulip poplar to make dugout canoes and called it canoe tree.
 
Property owners and developers interested in finding out how they can preserve trees on their property may contact the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board at nmbtreeboard@nmb.us.

The Tree of the Month program began in 2010 as a way to recognize preserved trees in the city. It also provides a platform to remind people of the benefits and importance that trees offer in our everyday lives.

If you have a tree you would like to be considered for Tree of the Month, contact Parks & Grounds Superintendent Jim Grainger at (843) 280-5571 or via email at nmbtreeboard@nmb.us.

Results - April 1 North Myrtle Beach City Council Meeting

City Council met in an April 1, 6:00 p.m. executive session and discussed an appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Council also received a legal briefing on (1) a proposed Common Interest and Confidentiality Agreement between the City of Myrtle Beach and the City of North Myrtle Beach, (2) a proposed Confidentiality Agreement between municipalities and Horry County regarding I-73, (3) the Maritime parking lot, and (4) property acquisitions. Council took no action.

City Council met in an April 1, 7:00 p.m. meeting and as its first item of business recognized the Coastal Chairmen Wheelchair Basketball Team for its accomplishments. The team calls the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center home, holding weekly practices and league games there. The Coastal Chairmen went 14-8 in games during the 2018-2019 wheelchair basketball season, and placed second in the 2019 Carolina Wheelchair Basketball Championships.

City Council postponed second (final) reading of a proposed ordinance to prohibit single-use carryout plastic bags at retail establishments in the city until its April 15 meeting. Between now and then, Council and staff will consider suggestions for refinements to the proposed ordinance received during an April 1 workshop.

City Council passed first reading of a proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendment to create an overlay district defining architectural, signage, landscaping, pedestrian amenities, lighting and parking standards for center of activities.

The 2018 North Myrtle Beach Comprehensive Plan identifies important corridors in the city that would benefit from establishing design standards to encourage quality development. The five focus areas are Main Street, 17th Avenue South, 37th Avenue South, Sea Mountain Highway and Little River Neck Road. The proposed amendment rests on the concept that growth and development occurring in these areas over time should follow the community’s vision and take the form of walkable, mixed-use centers to serve local neighborhoods and hospitality needs.

If adopted by Council, the amended ordinance would create an overlay district defining architectural, signage, landscaping, pedestrian amenities, lighting and parking standards for activity centers. Currently, these aspects are only identified in a Planned Development District (PDD).

City Council passed first reading of a proposed Zoning Map amendment to apply the Priority Investment – Focus Area Design Standards Overlay (PI-FADO) to 601 Main Street. The current underlying zoning of the 6.4-acre parcel is Planned Development District (PDD) for an approved but unbuilt project called Town Center on Main. Concurrent on the meeting agenda with the application of the PI-FADO was a request to rezone the property to Highway Commercial. The parcel is a prime candidate for application of the PI-FADO. Located at the entrance to Main Street, the parcel is highly visible to people in vehicles and pedestrians and has about 400 feet of frontage on Main Street.

City Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance to rezone 6.4 acres of land at 601 Main Street from Planned Development District (PDD) to Highway Commercial. The property is vacant and undeveloped and was previously zoned Highway Commercial prior to creation of the Town Center on Main PDD in 2016. The purpose of the Highway Commercial zoning district is to provide commercial opportunities to the traveling public and areas where large-scale commercial projects may occur with minimal impact on contiguous residential development.

City Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 20, Land Development Regulations, of the City’s Code of Ordinances. Current land development regulations specify standards governing access and connectivity for commercial and high-density residential development in the city. These standards prohibit any corner lot having less than 150 feet of frontage on a heavily traveled street from having driveway access to that street.

City staff proposes a text amendment that allows driveway access to a corner lot from the more heavily traveled street when the frontage along that street is less than 150 feet at the discretion of the City Engineer. When making an exception to this standard, the City Engineer could require any design modifications to the site plan deemed necessary to maximize safe and efficient access. If the corner lot fronts a S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT)-owned road, SCDOT approval of the access would also be required. However, City requirements may be more restrictive than SCDOT requirements.

City Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance that would result in a Non-Warranty Deed rescinding the Road & Drainage Dedication Deed dated October 17, 2018 and recorded March 6, 2019, at Deed Book 4189, Page 1558, Horry County Register of Deeds. To avoid exposing the City to future maintenance, ownership and liability, a deed dedicating these streets and drainage systems to the City is to be rescinded.

The Blackwater at the Dye Club townhome development utilizes privately owned and maintained streets and drainage systems within its subdivision. As part of the project closeout process, the subdivision’s project engineers inadvertently recorded a deed dedicating these streets and drainage systems to the City. The deed was recorded in error by the project’s private engineers without the City’s awareness.

City Council adopted a Resolution approving the establishment of a Festival Zone on a portion of the Barefoot Landing shopping center. In March, the City passed final reading of an ordinance allowing the creation of a Festival Zone within shopping centers and/or resort destinations containing 10 acres or more of land. Barefoot Landing submitted the first such application for a Festival Zone, which is largely contained to the destination’s restaurants along the Intracoastal Waterway, also extending out to embrace a part of one end of the lake.

SHOWN LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE ACCOMPANYING PHOTO are Mayor Marilyn Hatley, City Manager Mike Mahaney, Patrick Wyatt, Melinda Chappell, Jesse Lind, Lavern Anderson, Josie Bonafant, John Kellom, and Tim Corbett.

Road & Intersection Closing and Parking Opportunities for March 16 St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival in North Myrtle Beach

For a listing of roads and intersections that close for the March 16 St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival, please follow this link:http://tinyurl.com/y5tfs8bh or visit www.nmb.us and look under "Press Releases" on the homepage.

PARKING OPPORTUNITIES

Spectators gathering to watch the parade should be in place by 8:20 a.m.

Main Street closes to vehicular traffic promptly at 8:30 a.m. The parade begins at 8:50 a.m.

Ocean Boulevard is open to vehicular traffic until 8:30 a.m. and is expected to reopen around 11:30 a.m., immediately following the parade.

Main Street from Ash Street to Ocean Boulevard is closed after the parade and becomes the festival area. A record 184 vendors are sharing their offerings at this year's festival.

ON-SITE PUBLIC PARKING

-- Open grass lot between Barefoot Church and BB&T, 601 Main Street
-- McLean Park, 93 Oak Drive
-- Grass lot on the corner of 2nd Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard, 200 North Ocean Boulevard

OFF-SITE PARKING PICKUPS

*Buses will run continuously from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

-- Ocean Drive Elementary School, 901 11th Avenue North
-- Corner of 8th Avenue North & Ocean Boulevard
-- Corner of 12th Avenue North & Ocean Boulevard
-- Corner of 14th Avenue North & Ocean Boulevard
-- Corner of 17th Avenue North & Ocean Boulevard

*Buses provided are not wheelchair accessible. Please use the open grass lot between Barefoot Church and BB&T, 601 Main Street

Free New Family-Friendly Event in North Myrtle Beach: "Pedal in the Park"

The North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department announces a new event-- Pedal in the Park!
Bring your bicycles out to the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex March 22nd at 7:00 pm to get ready for a leisurely 3-mile starlit bike ride. The ride starts at 7:30 pm and begins and ends at The Sandhills Bank Amphitheater.
THIS IS NOT A RACE, so you can bike at your own pace.
This is a FREE event that will be sure to get the whole family moving! Wear your brightest neon and glow accessories. If you don't have any, there will be light-up merchandise for purchase before start time. Optional, of course.
After the ride, enjoy a nice cool down and a dance party that promises to be a “glowing” good time!
Refreshments will be available for a small fee.

Results - March 4 North Myrtle Beach City Council Meeting

During the March 4 City Council meeting, City Council recognized and presented certificates of completion to North Myrtle Beach residents who graduated from the 2019 North Myrtle Beach Citizens Academy.

Academy participants learned about work performed by City departments, their projects and some of the challenges they face. They also toured key City facilities.

Citizen Academy graduates include Sheila Benson, Brittany Callahan, James Van Cooper, Brandon Downey, John Hedrick, Teresa Hedrick, Deborah Lashley, Susan Platt, Jim Rudge, Pam Rudge, Edward Silver, and Tim Weis.

We thank these residents for their interest in and commitment to the city of North Myrtle Beach.

City Council passed a motion to reappoint Mary Caroline Driggers and Ruth Anne Ellis to the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board.

City Council passed a motion to approve a special event permit for the Society of Shaggers (SOS) May 4, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. parade, which starts on Main Street. For more in the parade, please visit www.shagdance.com

City Council adopted a Resolution to approve the mutual aid agreements for Memorial Day weekend. As in years past, in order to ensure that traffic moves as smoothly as possible during the very crowded weekend, the City will be assisted by officers from 16 out-of-area South Carolina police departments. The mutual aid agreements lay out the terms by which the City and the different police agencies operate.

City Council passed second (final reading) of an ordinance to rezone 1.96 acres of land located on Commons Boulevard from Highway Commercial (HC) to Mid-Rise Multifamily Residential (R-2). The property is currently vacant and undeveloped.

City Council passed second reading of an ordinance to amend several sections within Chapter 3, of the North Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances entitled,Alcoholic Beverages,establishing a festival zone that allows beer and wine to be consumed in approved areas of shopping and/or entertainment destinations of 10 or more acres.

A property owner must apply to the City for a permit to have a festival zone within their location. The application process requires the property owner to submit a map depicting the exact boundaries of the desired festival zone, a detailed narrative of how the property owner would manage the possession and consumption of beer and wine within the festival zone, and other facts. The property owner must submit the permit application to the City Manager and Director of Public Safety for review and comment, resulting in a recommendation to City Council at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which City Council would consider the permit request.

If Council approves a permit request for a festival zone, the City Manager monitors compliance of the approved plan. If the City Manager determines that a permit holder has violated the terms or parameters of an approved festival zone, the City Manager at his sole discretion has the authority to suspend or revoke a festival zone permit.

City Council approved first reading of an ordinance to extend the lease between the City of North Myrtle Beach and T-Mobile regarding placement of its telecommunication equipment on the Duffy Street water tower. T-Mobile would like to extend the lease beyond the expiration date of May 20, 2021.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to amend the Prince Resort Planned Development District (PDD) to allow for a Hampton Inn & Suites featuring 127 one-bedroom units and a parking garage.

The PDD, approved in 2004, allows for construction of one oceanfront tower and a second-row parking garage with residential units on top. The remaining oceanfront and second-row lots remained vacant for future development consisting of a second oceanfront tower and second-row parking garage. The Hampton Inn & Suites would replace the planned second tower and the second parking garage would be constructed.

One hundred forty-seven public parking spaces for use by the public would be available within the amended PDD. They majority of the public parking spaces would be located within the two parking garages, plus seven surface lot parking spaces.

City Council considered for discussion purposes a draft of a proposed ordinance to prohibitsingle-use carryout plastic bags at retail establishments in the city. The draft ordinance proposed an effective date of January 1, 2024 to allow retail establishments to expend their current stock of single-use carryout plastic bags and transition to reusable, recyclable or compostable alternatives, however, Council asked that the final draft of the proposed ordinance include an effective date of January 1, 2021. First reading of a proposed ordinance to prohibit single-use carryout plastic bags at retail establishments in the city will occur at the March 18 City Council meeting.

ACCOMPANYING PHOTOLeft to Right: Mayor Marilyn Hatley, Susan Platt, Deborah Lashley, James Van Cooper, Sheila Benson, John Hedrick, Brittany Callahan, Teresa Hedrick, Edward Silver, Tim Weis, City Manager Mike Mahaney.