Council advances Parkway PDD preserves in first reading after debate over alleys, utilities and trash service; workshop ordered before second reading

The North Myrtle Beach City Council approved on first reading an amendment to the Parkway Group Plan Development District (PDD) that reduces the overall project density, but members said significant technical details must be resolved before second reading.

Developer representatives presented the revised plan for Neighborhood 3 (Wax Myrtle at Watersack), saying the proposal reduces the project’s overall entitlement and preserves more open space and trees. Planning staff and council members cited a reduction in total authorized units from 826 to 613 — a cut of 213 units — though earlier documents and remarks referenced smaller, parcel‑level reductions as well.

The bulk of the public discussion focused on two categories of technical concerns raised by Public Works staff and others: the use of 20‑foot private alleys and whether those alleys provide sufficient room for vehicle maneuvering, utilities and city services; and how trash collection will be handled for fee‑simple (for‑sale) townhome units rather than units held in common ownership.

Public Works director Kevin (last name not specified in transcript) told the council that as the developer changes units from in‑common ownership to fee‑simple lots, the existing 20‑foot alley design “does not meet any public road design standard” and would create situations where one homeowner may need to drive across a neighbor’s property to access a garage. Kevin also noted concerns about fitting required public and private utilities into the 20‑foot rights of way and whether a private 5‑foot driveway plus the 20‑foot alley would leave adequate room for installation and future maintenance of electric, cable and other lines.

Developer representative Josh (last name not specified) and his team responded that the design has been used successfully in similar projects such as Market Common, that Grand Strand and Horry Electric provided input on utility placement, and that the developer’s contractor (A.O. Hardy) has reviewed construction drawings and found the utilities and pavement build‑able and maintainable. Josh described the product as age‑targeted, low‑maintenance fee‑simple townhomes, and said residents at comparable projects reported they “absolutely love it.”

Several council members pressed for concrete details to be provided before the second reading. Council suggestions and staff requests included: precise garage depth and width, detailed utility routing (including whether power will be installed in a 5‑foot easement), a mobility/maneuverability analysis that confirms turning radii for larger vehicles, and the exact language the developer intends to include in HOA covenants to restrict parking that would block alley access.

On waste collection, the developer said the project will use valet/concierge trash pickup with on‑site compactors or dumpsters and weekly collection by a private contractor; staff noted the city typically does not pick up trash for multifamily properties unless the site is designed for city dumpster access. Council asked that the development agreement and related public hearings be held until after a workshop so those operational details can be demonstrated and agreed.

Council outcome and next steps

Council approved first reading of the PDD preserves amendment by voice vote. Several council members said the vote was contingent on getting detailed responses before second reading; one council member said the measure “almost failed” during the discussion and asked for additional outreach.

Council directed staff and the developer to schedule a workshop before the second reading, asking the developer to provide the specific items requested by council (garage depths, utility routing plans, trash service description and proposed HOA covenant language). Council also voted to table related public‑hearing items and the associated development agreement until after the workshop.

Ending

Developers and staff left the meeting with a clear list of technical deliverables to present at the workshop. Council members said they support the concept of reduced density and preserved open space but want the identified infrastructure and service details resolved before final approval.