PLANNERS CRAVE SMART GROWTH

Wed, Mar. 15, 2006 – Smart growth is… about well-planned growth that creates walkable neighborhoods, offers housing choices for everyone and preserves open space.

Horry County is creating a new zoning category specifically for traditional neighborhood developments or mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods.

Centex Homes’ development (River Grande) on the former Bay Tree Golf Course is an example of a walkable neighborhood with a small village and six-acre park.

Another is Myrtle Beach’s Market Common which came out of the city’s vision in the mid-’90s to promote smart infill development and mixed-use centers.

Planners are starting to study how Kings Highway could be redeveloped to be more pedestrian friendly, with wider sidewalks, street trees and on-street parking.

Source: Jenny Burns, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, SC