Council refers revised Towers on the Grove paid‑parking plan back to planning commission after late changes

North Myrtle Beach council voted on May 4 to send a revised second‑reading plan for a proposed oceanfront paid‑parking lot at the Towers on the Grove back to the planning commission for further review.

Planning staff told council late written concerns came from neighbors at the adjacent Midstrand condominiums, including objections to porta‑john placement, the need for a landscape buffer and potential intrusion on nearby private amenities. Planning staff recommended moving the porta‑johns, converting a row of full‑size spaces to compact spaces to create a 4‑foot native‑plant buffer, adding signage to direct users to an alternate foot‑wash station and placing a time limit on the approval. “I recommend if that is a concern by council that you can put a time limit on this approval,” planning staff said, proposing Sept. 30, 2028 as a suggested expiration date.

The applicant told council the new plan had been circulated recently and asked that council approve the revised layout; staff and several council members said the changes were significant enough that staff and the technical review committee had not had time to vet them. “This is the first time seeing it, and it is significantly different,” planning staff said. Council member [14] moved to refer the revised plan back to the planning commission so staff could determine whether re‑advertising was required; the motion passed by voice vote.

Council directed staff to work with the applicant to resolve the remaining issues and noted the option of a special‑call meeting to expedite review if appropriate.

What changed: staff and residents asked for (1) relocation of portable restrooms away from condominium sight lines; (2) a planted buffer along the public walkway (achieved by narrowing some parking stalls); (3) clearer signage to direct visitors to the public foot‑wash; and (4) a time‑limited approval tied to the applicant’s lease term. Council emphasized that because the revised layout was not the plan considered at planning commission and at first reading, a referral was the prudent procedural step.

Next steps: Planning commission will review the revised plan and advise council whether the changes cross the threshold requiring re‑advertising. Staff intends to return the item to council at the next available meeting after the planning commission and TRC reviews.