Commission approves parking amendment to ITAP despite concerns

Despite the concerns of some citizens, the planning commission unanimously voted Tuesday to amend the Myrtle Beach International Technology and Aerospace Park development plan to allow medical offices and parking use.

Referred to as the “ITAP” by the city, the development would occupy the the empty land surrounding the intersection of Airpark Drive and Howard Avenue, and could house technology and manufacturing industries, as well as corporate headquarters and government offices.

The proposed amendment originally included the language “park-and-ride,” but at the suggestion of planning director Carol Coleman, the committee struck the phrase from the amendment.

“The intent is not ‘park and ride’ in the traditional sense that you would see adjacent to an airport, it is not intended to be airport parking and shuttle service to the airport terminal,” Coleman said.

She said she had received complaints during the last several days from people who were confused about the meaning of the phrase, which was supposed to refer to shuttles transporting people to and from the proposed lot during special events.

“When I say parking area, I don’t mean a finished asphalted parking lot with curb and gutter and everything else, but just something that would be an all-weather material that could suffice for temporary parking during special events,” Coleman said. “Overflow special events parking is what we were trying to address with it.”

But some citizens voiced their concerns about light pollution associated with the new development.

Jack Stawski said he’s been working with the city to put deflectors on the lights that line the walkway that runs behind his house on Francis Court, which is adjacent to the development area. He said some of the walkway lights shine into the back of houses on his street, and he’s concerned about additional light pollution from the proposed development.

“We understand that on the ITAP property, there will be additional walkways,” Stawski said. “Are there going to be lights? Because if lights are installed there, we’re back to the same problems.”

Bruce Fahey also lives on Francis Court and said light pollution is a detriment to the area.

“We all know the area’s going to be developed, but we want to preserve the nature of the area as well as property areas,” she said. “I’ve lived in the city of Boston, I’ve lived in other places. But when you come to settle in a beautiful area such as this, the more lighting that you get; what do you see at night?”

The commission didn’t make any final plans regarding the size and scope of potential parking lots, and the amendment will still have to be approved by the city council.

This story was originally published June 21, 2016 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Commission approves parking amendment to ITAP despite concerns."