This North Myrtle Beach resort could be getting more homes amid city’s building boom

A planned housing project within North Myrtle Beach’s Barefoot Resort and Golf has the backing of a 26-neighborhood homeowners’ association following months of negotiations between both sides.

“As a board, we’ve tried to consider this situation as objectively as possible, but we all know that emotion is going to insert itself into any discussion on this subject,” Eric Zimmerman, a member of the Barefoot Resort Residential Association’s board of directors, said. “The addition of this limited number of homes is unlikely to overburden the existing Barefoot amenities.”

At issue is a pending vote by city leaders to annex and rezone nearly 71 acres at the intersection of S.C. Highways 22 and 31 from its current agricultural use to a planned development, clearing the way for up to 84 homes.

Officials have until year’s end to approve the changes or the acreage remains in its current zoning state.

The planning commission on July 18 recommended city leaders annex the property but keep its zoning as is. A city council vote is expected Aug. 7.

Robert “Shep” Guyton, an attorney listed on documents as the property owner’s representative, was not immediately available for comment.

The Barefoot Resort Residential Association has been in talks since March with developers and city leaders, winning a suite of concessions that Zimmerman said will enhance the sprawling community for years to come.

Most notably among them is a $1.1 million financial commitment from developers to the association to “alleviate the impacts of additional residents on the affected BRRA amenities,” according to the association’s website.

Barefoot Lakes comes at a time of unprecedented growth for the city of nearly 21,000.

Currently, 14 new developments are being built, eventually adding 6,200 homes.

This story was originally published August 1, 2023 at 7:00 AM.