Myrtle Beach, SC, December 26, 2025
Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach continue to navigate growth and development through ongoing planning initiatives. Recent meetings reflect a focus on zoning adaptations and public engagement for future growth. Myrtle Beach’s planning commission has discussed amendments for drive-thru restaurants, while North Myrtle Beach prepares for significant beach renourishment and updates its comprehensive plan to include community feedback.
Myrtle Beach Continues Dialogue on Future Development Amidst Ongoing Planning Initiatives
Myrtle Beach, SC – The continuous process of shaping the Grand Strand’s future through careful planning and zoning remains a central focus for local governance, with recent activities highlighting ongoing efforts to manage growth and development. While no singular, dramatic council action has transpired within the last 48 hours, the foundational work of planning commissions and city councils in both Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach continues to guide the region’s trajectory, impacting residents and the landscape alike. This persistent attention to regulatory frameworks and future-oriented strategies underscores a commitment to balancing economic vitality with the preservation of community character and natural resources.
Myrtle Beach Planning Commission Addresses Zoning Details
The Myrtle Beach Planning Commission held a meeting on December 16, 2025, during which various planning and zoning matters were discussed. The commission reviewed a request to amend Section 1501RR of the zoning code, specifically to allow restaurants with drive-thru services on Robert M. Grissom Parkway under certain conditions. This discussion reflects an ongoing attempt to adapt zoning ordinances to contemporary business models while mitigating potential impacts, such as traffic congestion. The commission has previously updated stacking requirements for drive-thru facilities, acknowledging past concerns regarding traffic flow on Kings Highway.
During this meeting, a presentation was also given on public engagement for the comprehensive plan, revealing that 53% of responses suggested prioritizing young adults and professionals in planning for future growth, and 73.3% supported setting population growth targets for long-term planning. The City of Myrtle Beach has set a goal to accommodate sustainable and intentional population growth, focusing on an attainable future that attracts emerging professionals and families to a safe, inclusive, and thriving community.
North Myrtle Beach Prepares for Beach Renourishment and Comprehensive Plan Update
In North Myrtle Beach, preparations are underway for a significant Beach Renourishment Project, which officially entered its planning and mobilization phase in October 2025 in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This federally funded initiative, valued at $72 million, aims to restore and strengthen 26 miles of coastline, including North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and Garden City, by placing approximately two million cubic yards of sand. The on-site work for North Myrtle Beach is projected to begin in December 2025, with officials coordinating logistics, environmental assessments, and safety protocols. The street end of Sea Mountain Highway has been designated as a primary staging area for materials and equipment.
Furthermore, North Myrtle Beach is actively engaged in updating its Comprehensive Plan, a long-range policy document designed to guide decision-making and development over the next five to ten years. This update involves extensive public engagement opportunities, inviting residents and business owners to share their ideas on critical topics such as housing, land use, transportation, and economic development. The most recent Board of Zoning Appeals meeting for North Myrtle Beach was held on December 11, 2025.
Broader Context of Grand Strand Development and Zoning
The discussions and initiatives in both cities are set against a backdrop of continuous development pressures and evolving regulatory frameworks across the Grand Strand. The Myrtle Beach Zoning Code itself underwent an update in May 2025, a critical document that outlines requirements for zoning, signs, tree protection, lighting, fencing, and overall development. This code is instrumental in the city’s Business License Division, where applications may require site inspections and adherence to zoning regulations.
Zoning ordinances play a fundamental role in providing orderly growth and development for the region, a principle that both Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach have embraced, with North Myrtle Beach adopting its first zoning ordinance and map years ago. The work of planning commissions, such as the one in Surfside Beach, which recommends regulations and changes concerning zoning and subdivision activity, reflects a broader regional commitment to careful urban planning.
Looking ahead, a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting for the City of Myrtle Beach is scheduled for January 8, 2026, to hear variance requests concerning setback requirements for a porch and maximum height for an entry-gate. These individual cases, though seemingly minor, collectively illustrate the intricate dance between individual property rights and community-wide planning objectives, a dance that requires both adherence to empirical realities and a humane understanding of individual circumstances.
The planning and development departments in cities like Clearwater, Florida, also exemplify this ongoing work, collaborating with communities to shape their future, from neighborhoods to commercial areas. This ongoing vigilance ensures that growth serves the enduring well-being of the communities, reflecting a quiet determination to steward the land and its people with thoughtful precision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What were the recent discussions at the Myrtle Beach Planning Commission?
- The Myrtle Beach Planning Commission held a meeting on December 16, 2025, discussing an amendment to allow restaurants with drive-thru services on Robert M. Grissom Parkway under specific conditions, and reviewed public engagement results for the comprehensive plan.
- What is the current status of the Beach Renourishment Project in North Myrtle Beach?
- The Beach Renourishment Project in North Myrtle Beach officially entered its planning and mobilization phase in October 2025. On-site work is expected to begin in December 2025, with the street end of Sea Mountain Highway serving as a primary staging area.
- When was the Myrtle Beach Zoning Code last updated?
- The Myrtle Beach Zoning Code PDF was updated in May 2025.
- What is the North Myrtle Beach Comprehensive Plan?
- The North Myrtle Beach Comprehensive Plan is a long-range policy document that is currently being updated to guide decision-making and development for the next five to ten years, involving public engagement on topics such as housing, land use, and economic development.
- Are there upcoming zoning meetings in Myrtle Beach?
- Yes, the Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of Myrtle Beach is scheduled to meet on January 8, 2026, to hear variance requests regarding setback requirements for a porch and maximum height for an entry-gate.
Key Features of Grand Strand Planning and Development
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach City Council Debates | Ongoing discussions concerning future development and zoning ordinances. | City-level |
| Myrtle Beach Zoning Code | Updated in May 2025, governs zoning, signs, tree protection, lighting, fencing, encroachments, and overall development requirements. | City-level |
| North Myrtle Beach Comprehensive Plan | A long-range policy document being updated to guide decision-making and development for the next 5-10 years. | City-level |
| Grand Strand Beach Renourishment Project | Federally funded, $72 million project to restore 26 miles of coastline by placing approximately two million cubic yards of sand. On-site work in North Myrtle Beach begins December 2025. | Regional (North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City) |
| New Survey Requirements for Building Permits | Effective September 1, 2025, in North Myrtle Beach, ensuring compliance with local zoning and floodplain regulations. | City-level (North Myrtle Beach) |
| Planning & Zoning Department | Enforces city laws related to zoning, signs, tree protection, lighting, fencing, and overall development. | City-level |
| Board of Zoning Appeals | Hears appeals from zoning decisions and considers requests for variances from zoning regulations. | City-level |
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
