“Towers on the Grove” project in NMB on hold

After initially approving the redevelopment of about 3.57 acres of land in the Cherry Grove area, the North Myrtle Beach City Council tabled the proposed “Towers on the Grove” project Monday because one of its parking decks does not meet city code.

Developers have proposed tearing down the Cherry Grove Manor and the Springs Towers on North Ocean Boulevard between 21st and 23rd avenues North to build two oceanfront towers for multi-family resort accommodations, two second-row parking decks with ground-floor commercial space, and one third-row parking deck.

But city planners have realized that the planned parking deck on the third row does not meet the city’s requirement that it be within 300 feet of a principal site. The parking deck needs to be redesigned to meet city code, Planning Director Doug Maddock said.

Developers were surprised about the problem Monday and said they were not sure how they would resolve it. They requested time and direction from the staff and council on what to do.

The council has tabled the ordinance for 90 days at the developer’s request, which means the project will not come back before the council until Jan. 8 for a final vote.

In addition, the council has approved changing a sunset clause in another ordinance that says that, if the project is not approved within six months of passage of the ordinance, the city would be blocked from receiving an oceanfront public beach access park that the developers would give the city. That ordinance was passed in April. The council extended the clause for 90 days.

Source: Janelle Frost, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach