Myrtle Beach called motel a ‘nuisance,’ now says it’s operating without a license
A downtown Myrtle Beach motel, once targeted by city leaders as a “nuisance,” has been operating for more than a year without a license, according to court filings.
Myrtle Beach filed a request in Horry County court asking a judge to close the Lancer Motel, 606 N. Kings Hwy. It’s the same hotel the city once labeled a nuisance for ongoing crime and drug overdoses. But, the city’s efforts to close the motel through nuisance laws failed.
In the latest filing, the city states in April 2019, the Lancer’s license was suspended for being a “nuisance.” The Lancer’s owners never appealed the suspension, the city claims.
On May 31, 2019, the Myrtle Beach Police Department cited the motel for operating without a license, according to the filing. The penalty is a fine up to $500 and 30 days in jail. Still, the motel continued to operate despite the citation.
On Jan. 6, a jury found front desk manager Victor Hatcher guilty of operating without a license, according to the filing.
In total, Myrtle Beach police issued 22 citations against the Lancer for operating without a license.
The city has asked a Horry County judge to prevent the owners and employees from operating the Kings Highway business.
Myrtle Beach previously targeted the Lancer, claiming that police responded to more than 1,000 calls at the motel over three years. The city also said there were 13 drug overdoses at the motel between 2015 and 2018. The city called the hotel a “nuisance” — a legal process where governments can try and close a business.
The city and a hearing officer both declared the motel a nuisance. The Lancer appealed that decision in April 2019 to Horry County Court, saying the city appointed the hearing officer. A country judge sided with the Lancer and the case was dismissed.
Attorney Russell Long who represented the Lancer in previous court cases could not be reached for comment.
