December 3, 2024 Update
Last night was the Barefoot lakes second reading and the development passed.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported our efforts in the community. As a board, we have a duty to represent and listen to our residents, and throughout this process, we have upheld a commitment to fairness and integrity. While we believe the city has once again prioritized revenue over quality of life, it is our responsibility to accept their decision and navigate the challenges it brings.
Our fiduciary duty requires us to make difficult decisions about resource allocation. Unfortunately, the city’s actions have created a significant financial burden on us with the maintenance and potential repair of four outfalls serving this watershed. Outfall 2 alone may cost millions to repair and maintain, and the condition of the other three remains uncertain. We must proactively plan for the possibility of failure across all outfalls.
In our discussions with the developer and the city, we identified grant opportunities that could have covered the costs of repairs for all four outfalls and addressed the Barefoot Lakes property. However, the city declined to pursue these grants and shortly thereafter advanced the first reading of the Barefoot Lakes development.
Looking ahead, the Board is committed to tackling the storm water concerns and outfall issues affecting Barefoot. Additionally, as residents and registered voters of North Myrtle Beach, we will continue our advocacy by initiating a petition for referendum. This initiative will involve no cost to residents, and no HOA funds will be used.
Being a Board member does not negate our rights as citizens; our civil liberties remain protected under the Constitution. When election time arrives, we will have the opportunity to hold city officials accountable at the polls.
In the coming days, more details about the referendum and its next steps will be shared. If you are interested in joining our committee, please reach out. This will be a citywide effort, and we welcome voters across North Myrtle Beach to participate in collecting signatures and advocating for our shared future.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our community.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Dara Baltuskonis, BRRA President
November 5, 2024 Update
Thank you to all Barefoot residents who attended the council meeting on the 4th.
The council voted in favor of the developer, disregarding the majority of Barefoot opinions. While we are disappointed with this decision, we remain committed to advocating for our community’s interests. Out of 571 votes cast, 540 opposed the development, 25 supported it, and 6 were indifferent.
Your voices matter, and we will continue to fight for what’s best for our community.
Differences in opinion should not lead to division; let’s stay united as we move forward.
BRRA
From the city:
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The North Myrtle Beach City Council met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 4, at 7 PM at City Hall.
There was one item on the Consent agenda:
A. RESOLUTION: An Amendment to a Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Council to execute an American Rescue Plan Act Stormwater Infrastructure Program Agreement between the City of North Myrtle Beach and the South Carolina Office of Resilience to fund a Stormwater Infrastructure Improvement Project that will mitigate the impact of future disasters (APPROVED)
There was one item on the Unfinished Business portion of the agenda:
A. ORDINANCE/SECOND READING: Amendment to the Parkway Group Planned Development District (PDD) revising neighborhood three (Wax Myrtle) at Waterside NOTE: Petitioner has requested to postpone (APPROVED TO POSTPONE)
There were seven items on the New Business agenda:
A. ORDINANCE/FIRST READING: Petition for Annexation and Zoning Designation for ±58.3 acres at the intersection of Highway 22 and Highway 31 (APPROVED)
B. ORDINANCE/FIRST READING: Amendment to the Barefoot Resort Planned Development District (PDD) providing access to Barefoot Lakes (APPROVED)
C. SECOND PUBLIC HEARING: Regarding the Barefoot Lakes Development Agreement
D. ORDINANCE/FIRST READING: Barefoot Lakes Development Agreement and to authorize the Acting City Manager to sign the document on behalf of the City (APPROVED)
E. ORDINANCE/FIRST READING: Amendment to the Parkway Group Planned Development District (PDD) creating phases Four and Five of the Palmetto Coast Industrial Park (APPROVED)
F. SECOND PUBLIC HEARING: Regarding the Palmetto Coast Industrial Park Phases Four and Five Development Agreement
G. ORDINANCE/FIRST READING: Palmetto Coast Industrial Park Phases Four and Five Development Agreement and to authorize the Acting City Manager to sign the document on behalf of the City (APPROVED)
View Agenda and Accompanying Documents: https://www.nmb.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11042024-410?html=true
October 21, 2024 Update
I wanted to inform you that the Barefoot Lakes annexation, PDD amendment, and DA is on the agenda for the Planning Commission meeting this Tuesday. Given your vested interest in this matter, I thought it would be helpful to keep you in the loop. Agenda link here: https://www.nmb.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10222024-407
If you could kindly forward this information to the interested parties, that would be greatly appreciated. Please note that the Planning Commission will only be making a recommendation to City Council on the item; the final decision will take place at a later City Council meeting.
Thank you for your time and assistance, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Suzanne Pritchard, PLA, AICP, CFM
LEED AP BD+C · ISA Certified Arborist® License SO-7155A
Assistant Director
Planning & Development
CITY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH
1018 2nd Ave S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-280-5572 | www.nmb.us
August 15, 2024 Update
Per the Board President, the developers of the Blu Water land has postponed the hearing for the project. The City of North Myrtle Beach approved the postponement and removed from the August 19th Agenda.
If you have any questions, please contact the Board of Directors at brra@barefoothoa.com.
July 17, 2024 Update
For those who missed the meeting on July 16th, regarding the Bluwater/Barefoot Lakes with Planning Commission, the first public hearing has been rescheduled for August 20.
In a positive development, the city and the developer have requested a meeting with the BRRA and Shep Guyton to discuss this project and explore options for collaboration. I will keep everyone updated on our progress. Once we nail down what options we have, we will communicate them with the community.
Your involvement and opinions are crucial, and I encourage everyone to stay engaged. Please continue to send letters to the city as we work towards a resolution for this project.
Thank you for your continued support and participation!
Maggie Szabo
BRRA Secretary
July 10, 2024 Bluwater/Barefoot Lakes Announcement
Hello Barefoot Community,
We have an important update regarding the BluWater/Barefoot Lakes development proposal. The developer has once again submitted an application to develop Barefoot Lakes, and your participation will be crucial and appreciated.
Below is the FOIA application we received from the city, which is still incomplete. I am still waiting for the complete package but didn’t want to delay sharing this information with you as the City Planning Commission meeting is coming up on July 16th at 5 PM.
The board met with the Voting Members on Monday and provided them with the details from the FOIA report we have received from the city.
Here are some points we have so far:
- “The advertisement for the Blu Water project appeared in the June 27th edition of the North Myrtle Beach Times,” per Suzanne Pritchard at the city. I have not been able to locate this article online, but am told it was in print.
- “There are 3 agenda items related to the proposal. One is whether to annex the site into North Myrtle Beach city limits or not, and what zoning classification to assign to it (in this case, R-1, our lowest-density single family residential district). A second item is a proposal to amend the Barefoot Resort Planned Development District (PDD) in order to allow construction of a public access right-of-way extending from Marsh Glen Drive into the project. And the final case involves a proposed Development Agreement setting forth certain financial and other contractual obligations between the City and the Developer. The latter contractually limits the project to 59 homes,” per Suzanne Pritchard at the city. However, it’s important to note that we have not been provided 3 items through FOIA, only 2 items. We have requested the 3rd item, as the meeting is next week.
- The July 16th meeting at 5:00 PM is a Planning Commission meeting. “The Planning Commission is an advisory body and will merely forward a RECOMMENDATION to City Council to either approve or deny the proposal,” per Suzanne Pritchard at the city. “City Council is the final authority in granting approval or denial. They are free to accept or reject the Planning Commission’s recommendation. It will first appear on their agenda at the August 19th meeting, at 7 PM. If approved at that meeting on first reading, it will then be placed on the September 16th agenda for Second (final) reading. If it is denied at the August 19th meeting, it ends there and will not receive further consideration. Public comment is welcomed at both the Planning Commission and City Council hearings.”
We encourage everyone to attend the Planning Commission meeting on July 16th and to participate in the upcoming City Council hearings. Your voice matters in these discussions!
Thank you for your attention and ongoing support for our community.
Please contact the city as soon as possible with your opinions on this development.
City council email addresses are as follows:
Mayorhatley@nmb.us; jobaldwin@nmb.us; bccollins@nmb.us; jfcoyne@nmb.us; njfontana@nmb.us; rtskidmore@nmb.us; Hank.thomas@century21thomas.com; lspritchard@nmb.us
Maggie Szabo
BRRA Secretary