See what changes are in store in North Myrtle Beach for new UPS package center
North Myrtle Beach officials are working on making changes to a specific zoning designation to allow a UPS packaging center to be built off Water Tower Road.
During Tuesday’s city council meeting, officials approved the first reading of an ordinance that would amend a portion of the Parkway Group Planned Development District to allow the construction of the 39,640 square-foot packaging center. The zoning designation, also known as the Apache tract, allows for limited industrial and commercial use.
In October, the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation announced a new UPS package center would be built off Water Tower Road, noting the new center could help increase the number of trucks the company has working in the area.
The center is expected to be up and running by the end of 2020 and will join a package center already in Myrtle Beach. Approximately 175 new employees will be hired, depending on the time of the year, with the expansion and the company plans to invest $11 million in the area.
The city’s Planning Commission unanimously approved the proposal at its Oct. 22 meeting.
Along with the 39,640 square-foot building, construction plans include 122 paved parking spaces for employees and customers, 53 employee gravel parking spaces, six spaces that are ADA compliant, and a staging area that will consist of 21 trailers, six trucks, three tractors, seven package cars and five dollies.
The proposed parking does exceed zoning code limits, but is consistent with package facility parking requirements based on similar facilities, the ordinance states. The proposed layout could also accommodate any future expansion, including 5,864 square-foot addition to the facility.
According to the ordinance, if the developer decided to expand, provided it’s consistent with the Master Site Plan, it would need to be considered an administrative decision reviewed by city staff.
Additionally, certain vehicular traffic improvements will be necessary to accommodate the facility. While the project will provide additional access to S.C. Highways 31 and 22 from Water Tower Road, plans would require a 66-foot public right-of-way, identified as Hunt Club Drive, to provide access to the facility.
Modifications would also be made along Water Tower Road to include a median closure, turn lane installation and the addition of installation of deceleration and acceleration lanes will be required, according to the ordinance.
“There will be some road improvements that will be necessary,” Mayor Marilyn Hatley said.
The ordinance is scheduled for second reading approval at council’s Dec. 16 meeting.
