‘An eyesore’: A proposed business park in Surfside Beach has some residents irked
A vacant plot of land along Kings Highway in Surfside Beach could soon be developed into a business park, but residents don’t feel it’s an appropriate project for the town.
The proposal aims to rezone two parcels amounting to roughly eight acres from Highway Commercial to a Planned Development District. The proposed project, called Surfside Business Park, would be located between Southern Chicken and Denny’s on 11th Avenue North and Frontage Road, bordering U.S. 17 Business North.
Plans submitted call for the construction of a 57,036-square-foot climate-controlled indoor storage facility, along with 38,203 square feet of outdoor storage. A 49,316-square-foot retail or restaurant space is also proposed. The remaining acreage would be used for open space, roadways, retention and flexible trade space.
While Planning Commission members voted to recommend the proposal to Town Council at their April 7 meeting, about a dozen residents complained via email correspondence that a storage facility will ruin the town’s character and appeal of being a family beach.
“This is a family beach area,” resident Paul Richardson said in a letter to the commission. “A storage facility has no place in this location.”
Richardson added the project would be an eyesore to the community, saying that the town doesn’t need another storage facility. Allison Argoe believes the land should be used to attract tourists instead, while Kelly Michalowski doesn’t think a storage facility would be inviting for families.
Others also noted the negative impact the development could have on traffic, urging officials to keep the town safe for both residents and vacationers.
“My concern is that another large storage center at that location will not only be an eyesore, but will only add to the traffic and congestion on Hwy 17 and the frontage roads,” longtime resident Elizabeth Jones wrote. “During summer months traffic in this area is already extremely busy, making it difficult for even residents to access their homes.”
Applicant Kevin Talbert, of Surfside Partners, LLC, requested the project be completed in stages, with the first phase planned to erect both the indoor and outdoor storage facilities in July, if approved. The second phase would construct the retail or restaurant space in October, with any remaining work commencing in September 2021.
If approved, the project would be completed by May 2022, according the the construction timetable.
Town leaders were scheduled to review the plan during a special meeting called on Tuesday, but removed it from the agenda to focus on emergency business amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Bob Hellyer said the matter will be discussed at council’s next meeting on April 28.
