NMB Council appoints two new planning commission members

Prior to the March 2 City Council meeting, Council met in a 6:15 p.m. executive session to receive a legal briefing concerning the lawsuit between the City of Myrtle Beach and Horry County regarding local accommodations and hospitality taxes. Council took no action.

City Council approved a special event permit for the 32nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Main Street. The St. Patrick’s Day Festival follows on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The City of North Myrtle Beach and the North Strand Optimist Club of North Myrtle Beach work together on this event.

City Council approved Ruth Anne Ellis and Callie Wise to fill two expired seats on the North Myrtle Beach Planning Commission.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to annex 0.45 acres of property located on Riverside Drive identified by PIN 311-16-04-0004. The owner’s petition reflects the requested city zoning district of R-1 (Single-Family Residential Low-Density). The subject area is identified as Residential Suburban on the Future Land Use Map; the proposed zoning designation, R-1, is a recommended zoning district for the subject area.

City Council passed reading of a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding the location and regulation of outpatient substance abuse treatment clinics.

Medical uses operating as outpatient substance abuse treatment clinics do not appear as a listed permitted use within any of the city’s zoning districts. For example, the Highway Commercial (HC) zoning district allows “hospitals, clinics, nursing and convalescent homes” as permitted uses, but not specifically outpatient treatment of substance abuse. The proposed amendment clarifies where specific medical clinics such as these may be located. 

City staff proposes a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to add “outpatient substance abuse treatment clinics” to the Limited Industrial (LI) zoning district as a special exception. The Board of Zoning Appeals would consider this type of use request based upon listed criteria for special exceptions found in Article X, Sec. 23-161. – Powers and duties of the Zoning Ordinance. The criteria are as follows:

(a) That the special exception complies with all applicable development standards, off-street parking.

(b) That the special exception will be in substantial harmony with the area in which it is to be located.

(c) That the special exception will not be injurious to adjoining property.

(d) That the special exception will not discourage or negate the use of surrounding property for use(s) permitted by right.

(e) In approving a special exception, the board of zoning appeals may impose such reasonable and additional stipulations, conditions, or safeguards as, in its judgement, will enhance its siting.