Harbor Light Development Moves Closer to Approval: Citizens Lay Out Concerns About Construction
By Josh Hoke, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Feb. 27–SURFSIDE BEACH — The proposed redevelopment of the Harbor Light Driving Range moved a step closer to reality on Monday.
Despite objections from residents, the Surfside Beach Town Council passed the first reading of an ordinance accepting new roads within the 22-acre, 49-home development.
Three citizens addressed the council before it voted on the issue — citing potential traffic problems, the look of a buffer built between the project and U.S. 17 Business, the number of trees in and around the complex and stormwater concerns — but the ordinance passed anyway.
"There are lots of positives," said Councilman Joseph Martin. "Other than having this land donated as a park, I think this is the best thing the town is going to see."
The council urged Zoning Administrator Michelle Grandell to ensure that developers save as many trees as possible on the land, especially along 10th Avenue North. Grandell said that under current zoning regulations, at least 10 trees must be in each yard, even if developers must plant new ones.
The council also discussed the shape and size of berms planned to be built along U.S. 17 Business that would separate houses from the roadway.
The citizens and most of the council members agreed that those berms needed to be about 10 to 12 feet high, similar to those found at the Pirateland Family Campground.
Surfside Beach resident Randy Melko said his main concern is that traffic will be too congested in the area. The state Department of Transportation will not allow an entrance to the development off U.S. 17 Business, so two entrances would be constructed off 10th Avenue North.
Melko said that plan would create bad congestion for drivers traveling southbound on U.S. 17 Business that wanted to turn left onto 10th Avenue North.
In other news, the council passed an ordinance defining the job description of the town clerk, allowing the town to begin advertising the position. Jan Lewis, the town’s executive assistant, has been serving in the role since Debra Herrman was fired early last month.
The council also pushed forward with the idea of partnering with a private firm to provide wireless Internet in Surfside Beach.
The issue was raised as a way to raise funds for a new fire house at the council’s last meeting, and the council instructed the town to begin looking into the matter.
Martin suggested the town discuss the issue with Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, which both are using pilot wireless Internet systems, and report back to the council.
Contact JOSH HOKE at 626-0318 or jhoke@thesunnews.com [mailto:jhoke@thesunnews.com].
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Copyright (c) 2007, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
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