Atlantic Beach faces political, developmental tests

The articles about Atlantic Beach share a focus on the town's persistent battles with political and developmental issues. Across various stories, political turmoil and debates over land use shape the narrative in a town grappling with its future.

In the election saga, the town struggled to certify its mayoral election results. The governor's office criticized Atlantic Beach's handling of the election, naming it an 'embarrassing episode.' Electoral disputes continued as 18 votes were contested, leaving the town without a clear leader for months. Developmental challenges also loom large. There's contention over a 21-story high-rise proposed along the oceanfront, which has led to grassroots lawsuits against town leaders. Opponents fear it will disrupt Atlantic Beach's character and escalate problems such as traffic and environmental strain. Grassroots organizations express strong opposition. STARD, a local group, sued town leaders and developers to halt the high-rise project. They argue the new 'condotel' would devastate the community without consideration for historical deed restrictions.

NO. 1: HISTORICALLY BLACK SC BEACH TOWN LOST HALF ITS POPULATION, NOW WANTS A REVIVAL. WILL IT WORK?

Once a haven for Black people who wanted to enjoy the coast, Atlantic Beach has been in decline for decades. Two years ago, a switch flipped, and now people want in on this hidden paradise. | Published June 29, 2022 | Read Full Story by Chase Karacostas

NO. 2: ATLANTIC BEACH LEADERS CLEAR THE WAY FOR A $100 MILLION HOTEL. RESIDENTS ARE OUTRAGED

Officials in the historically Black town made zoning changes as a precursor for project site plans | Published July 11, 2023 | Read Full Story by Adam Benson

NO. 3: ATLANTIC BEACH RESIDENTS SUE TO BLOCK CONSTRUCTION OF CONTROVERSIAL OCEANFRONT HOTEL

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Horry County pits legacy property owners against a development group looking to build a 21-story condo and hotel tower. | Published September 26, 2023 | Read Full Story by Adam Benson

NO. 4: NEW LEADERSHIP AT THE TOP IS HEADED TO ATLANTIC BEACH AS HISTORICALLY BLACK TOWN DEFINES FUTURE

Voters in the enclave sandwiched between Myrtle Beach will pick a new mayor and fill two council seats next month. | Published October 22, 2023 | Read Full Story by Adam Benson

NO. 5: ATLANTIC BEACH MAYOR STILL UNDECIDED. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PROPOSED OCEANFRONT HIGH RISE?

A runoff race is likely, said a town election official. Ballots were challenged after Tuesday’s elections. | Published November 9, 2023 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

Atlantic Beach Election Committee Chairman Joe Montgomery unlocks the ballot box on Thursday at the town’s Community Center. The Atlantic Beach Election Commission reviewed 18 challenged ballots from the SC town’s Nov. 7 mayoral and town council election and all were accepted as legitimate. The commission will hold a recount Friday and likely a runoff election, according to Chairman Joe Montgomery. Nov. 9, 2023. By JASON LEE

NO. 6: ATLANTIC BEACH CANDIDATE: ‘GIRL, GET OFF MY PHONE.’ TOWN’S ELECTION CALLED ‘EMBARRASSING’

The governor’s office responded to the town after it requested that the South Carolina Election Commission take over its 2023 municipal election. | Published January 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Emalyn Muzzy

Town leaders are considering the development of a 21-story hotel with 168 rooms and an accompanying multi-level parking garage along the ocean front in Atlantic Beach, S.C. January 24, 2023. By JASON LEE

NO. 7: WHY THE DELAY? SC TOWN’S ELECTION HANGS ON PROTEST HEARING AMID CONTROVERSY AND UNCERTAINTY

An Horry County election official said such a hearing is not called often. South Carolina’s law outlines how the election hearing is to be conducted. | Published March 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Emalyn Muzzy

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The Atlantic Beach city council on Nov. 28 during a special call meeting By Emalyn Muzzy

NO. 8: SC’S ONLY CONTESTED ELECTION STILL HAS NO RESOLVE. WHAT’S GOING ON WITH ATLANTIC BEACH?

It’s almost been a year since voter’s went to the polls and try to elected a new mayor and town council. What is happening in the Town of Atlantic Beach? | Published August 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Elizabeth Brewer

A family makes their way across the dunes to Atlantic Beach. The small historically black beach town, sandwiched between sections of North Myrtle Beach, is undergoing a revitalization according to town manager Benjamin Quattlebaum. New homes are being constructed and oceanfront lots are being marketed to hotels and resorts. June 13, 2022. By JASON LEE

NO. 9: SC BEACHFRONT TOWN WANTS TO BE A HISTORIC DISTRICT. WILL IT IMPACT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT?

Atlantic Beach’s history as a Black beach town could bring it a historic designation. What would that mean for future developments, including a proposed controversial high rise. | Published November 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Emalyn Muzzy

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.