Why drug rehab clinics could soon be coming to the City of North Myrtle Beach
Clinics specializing in outpatient substance abuse treatment could be allowed in North Myrtle Beach if officials agree to consider it a permitted use within the city’s zoning code.
With rehab facilities not having a specified use in any of the city’s current zoning districts, City Council members on Monday approved the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the zoning text to allow such businesses to open in the Limited Industrial District. Currently, the zoning code only addresses medical uses such as hospitals, clinics and nursing and convalescent homes.
Mayor Marilyn Hatley said discussions regarding zoning outpatient facilities started when an interested party approached the city. She said the city has an legal obligation to create the zoning for it.
“Legally, you have to have zoning for any kind of business,” Hatley said. “We legally can’t say a business can’t come to our city, you have to make some kind of zoning somewhere to place this so we just decided the limited industrial would be the best place for it.”
The zoning designation is one that currently allows tattoo parlors, wholesale establishments, warehousing, businesses engaging in body piercing, gaming or gambling boats and wireless telephone transmission towers to operate.
If approved, an outpatient facility would be considered a special exception within the LI district, meaning the Board of Zoning Appeals must ensure a potential proposal complies with all applicable development standards, be in substantial harmony with the area in which it is to be located and will not be injurious to adjoining property, according to the ordinance.
Additionally, zoning must not discourage or negate the use of surrounding property for permitted uses, but upon approving a special exception, officials can impose additionally stipulations, conditions and safeguards if they feel it will enhance the area’s appearance.
Other special exceptions to the zoning district include, manufacturing establishments, veterinary clinics and animal hospitals, marina and boat yards, and firework sales.
“We are doing what the city legally should do and that’s to make an ordinance to create a place for any type of business,” Hatley said.
The ordinance requires second reading. Officials are scheduled to meet again on March 16.
This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 8:56 PM.
