Council approves multiple zoning, parking and housekeeping ordinances; public speakers press short‑term rental and tax concerns

The North Myrtle Beach City Council approved a series of zoning and administrative items and took several first‑reading votes during the meeting.

Key actions approved on consent or first reading included mutual aid agreements for Memorial Day events; appointments to the Construction Board of Appeals; event approvals for Ocean Drive Shag Club and a Junior SOS beach event; a flood‑damage prevention ordinance that assigns variance and appeal authority to the Construction Board of Appeals (second reading and approved); a first reading to convert a TGI Friday site to a Chick‑fil‑A (see separate coverage); a first reading to create a privately owned oceanfront paid parking lot at roughly 20th–21st Avenue (applicant plan indicates 27 parking spaces); and a first reading amendment to the Hope Pointe PDD replacing previously approved townhomes with detached cottage‑style homes, with council amending the motion to require a minimum driveway depth of 24 feet and a reduction in density before second reading.

The council also approved a Peppertree Ocean Club signage amendment (first reading), an ordinance adding places of worship as an allowed use in the R2A zoning district (first reading), corrections to board of zoning appeals term language (housekeeping), and amendments to solidify staggered terms for the planning commission. Most motions on the consent agenda and the listed ordinances were approved with the mayor announcing “Ayes have it.” The transcript does not record line‑by‑line roll calls for each vote.

In public comment the council heard extended remarks on short‑term rental regulation from Christie Hinton, who urged adopting occupancy caps and minimum dedicated off‑street parking like Charleston’s ordinance; Randy Gardner of Old North Myrtle Beach urged the council to slow growth and questioned proposed tax increases tied to annexation and public safety spending; and Ray Collins described repeated nighttime noise and urged better enforcement of existing noise and right‑of‑way blocking ordinances. Mayor Baldwin and other council members responded that staff are continuing work on short‑term rental enforcement and that towing and parking enforcement provisions are available for blocking rights of way.

The council adjourned after completing the agenda; several items that passed on first reading will return for further staff coordination and a second reading.