Three weeks ago, concerns about Barefoot Lakes overdevelopment caused a group of 300 North Myrtle Beach residents to create a Facebook page asking for petition signatures.
The approval of a plan to construct numerous additional houses at Barefoot Lakes near Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach poses a potential risk of flooding for the area.
In December, the Barefoot Lakes neighborhood in North Myrtle Beach received approval for a plan to incorporate approximately 50 new homes. North Myrtle Beach residents believe the Barefoot Resort Overdevelopment is a threat to the community.
North Myrtle residents are being encouraged by the group to sign a petition to persuade the city council to overturn their decision for new development at Barefoot Lakes.
The individuals supporting the petition want to make it explicitly known that they do not oppose development, progress and growth.
They are concerned about outfalls, such as outfall number two in the Barefoot Lakes neighborhood.
Hurricane Matthew caused damage to the outfall in 2016, and now, almost eight years later, the community is engaged in a legal dispute with the city to determine liability for the necessary repairs.
The group stated that independent studies have been conducted, indicating that the addition of more homes would burden the existing outfalls. This is due to the fact that the outfalls were designed based on a stormwater plan that predates the surge in construction.
They claim to have presented those concerns to the city council, but they believe their concerns have not been given due attention.
The organization aims to gather 3,000 signatures from eligible voters residing within the city. The next petition signing is scheduled at Bouys on the Boulevard, January 4th from 3pm to 7pm
Petition Signing Guidelines
- Eligibility: Only registered voters of North Myrtle Beach can sign the petition.
- One Signature Only: Sign the petition only once to avoid affecting the count.
- Sign All Three: There are three ordinances involved. Please sign all three petitions to ensure full support for the referendum.
Barefoot Lakes Referendum Summary
This referendum gives the residents of North Myrtle Beach the power to decide whether the Barefoot Lakes development should take place, rather than leaving that decision to a biased City Council. Key concerns include:
- Overdevelopment: The project threatens wildlife, the environment, increases flooding, worsens traffic congestion, and lacks adequate infrastructure to support the growth.
- Taking Community Property: The city has allowed a developer to build a road through Barefoot Resort’s deed-restricted common area, which is legally maintained by the community and designated as open space. This area is meant for the enjoyment of the residents, not for development or use as a right of way. The city is violating the PDD agreement by repurposing this space without following legal processes.
- Dangerous Precedent: If this development is not challenged, it will set a precedent for the City Council to take property from any community in North Myrtle Beach for developers. The city will have the power to seize common areas that communities have maintained for decades, threatening neighborhoods across the city.
- Council Bias: Despite the unanimous vote of the Planning Commission (7-0) against this development, the City Council ignored the recommendation and approved it. This shows a consistent bias towards developers, as the mayor and council members have repeatedly sided with them over the concerns of the residents.
This referendum will allow North Myrtle Beach residents to make the final decision on whether this development should proceed, ensuring that the city listens to the people rather than to developers.
Let’s take action to protect our community, stop irresponsible development, and make our voices heard!
Barefoot Lakes Petition requests on Youtube
Local News Via - MyrtleBeachSC.com
