Myrtle Beach City Council OKs first reading of ‘MarketWalk’ housing plan

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach City Council on Tuesday passed first reading of a new “MarketWalk” plan that includes nearly 200 residential units.

The proposal passed first reading in a 5-2 vote, with councilman Bill McClure and mayor pro tem Mike H. Lowder voting against it. The proposal is to replace plans for a hotel at the corner of Farrow Parkway and Phillis Boulevard with 192 residential units, a maximum of 3,500 square-feet of commercial space and related amenities.

The plan includes 90 residential townhomes and 102 residential cottages, a swimming pool, clubhouse, lake pavilion and park and a playground, according to the council’s meeting agenda. The plan also includes a drive-thru coffee shop on the corner of Phillis Boulevard and Howard Avenue along with 424 residential and 15 commercial parking spaces.

“For the residential portion, they are proposing 424 spaces. Under general zoning code, we would only be requiring 394 spaces,” Myrtle Beach Senior Planner Kelly Mezzapelle said. “The restaurant, they are providing 15 spaces for the restaurant. We would be requiring 28 and the drive-thru stacking line, we would be requiring a minimum of eight staffing spaces and they’re providing 14.”

In March 2023, city council members voted 5-2 against a proposal by HomeFed Corporation that would have brought the mixed-use MarketWalk venture to life, voicing concerns about traffic and overcrowding.

HomeFed, the California-based real estate firm that owns Market Common, has spent the past year meeting with various community groups and redesigning the concept hoping to finally win approval.

Count on News13 for updates.

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Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here .

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Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook , or Instagram , and read more of her work he r e .

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