In February 2022 city staff discovered that the Community Appearance Board – the panel that must approve signs, commercial buildings and oceanfront residential projects before a building permit is issued – had been using a ten‑calendar‑day deadline instead of the ten‑working‑day deadline required by the ordinance. Assistant City Manager Brian Tucker said the practice had been in place for years, but no one could pinpoint when the drift began.
How the rule was changed
Rather than force the board to revert to the original ten‑working‑day standard, the city opted to amend the ordinance with a two‑word change: removing the word “working” and inserting “calendar.” By the end of April 2022 the amendment had cleared the Community Appearance Board, the planning commission and a first reading at city council.
What the change means
Under the old rule, a developer had to submit plans at least ten working days before a Thursday board meeting – effectively two weeks of lead time. The new calendar‑day rule reduces that window to ten calendar days, which usually means only six business days once weekends and holidays are accounted for. For minor permits such as a sign or mailbox repaint, the difference is negligible, but for large multifamily projects spanning dozens of acres the shortened window can limit neighborhood review.
Opposition in 2022
When the planning commission considered the amendment in April 2022, local news reported that six property‑owner associations opposed the change. Siena Park Property Owners Association President Michael Smith argued that reducing the notice period for significant developments was inappropriate. Another resident, McClure, emphasized that the group was not there to criticize the city but to improve their community.
Planning and Zoning Director Ken May later told city council that the amendment did not alter the zoning code or the public’s right to appeal a board decision, framing it as a technical correction rather than a substantive policy shift.
Calls for further review
Despite the amendment’s passage, the planning commission recommended that city council form a committee to examine the overall submission process for the Community Appearance Board. Public records do not show whether such a committee was ever created, convened or issued recommendations.
2026 Grande Dunes redevelopment sparks the same concerns
On July 8, 2026 the Myrtle Beach Planning Commission approved a plan to replace the Grande Dunes Tennis Club with a 31‑unit housing complex on eight acres. Residents complained that they received little notice and had limited opportunity for public input. Charles Collins argued the project should have gone before city council to determine whether an amendment to the planned unit development was required.
Dozens of community members attended the July 13 city council meeting to voice objections. City leaders responded that the redevelopment fell outside their authority to block. The language used by residents – “little notice” and “limited opportunity for public input” – mirrors the complaints raised in 2022.
Why the issue matters
The Community Appearance Board holds real authority over what gets built and how it looks in Myrtle Beach. Its deadline determines when the public and city staff first see a developer’s plans. A shorter deadline compresses the time homeowners, neighborhood associations and planning staff have to review drawings, request documents or raise concerns.
While the 2022 amendment was not a scandal, the lack of a thorough follow‑up review leaves open the question of whether the city has adequately balanced efficient development with meaningful community participation.
Looking ahead
Residents and officials alike are asking the city to clarify whether a dedicated committee ever examined the board’s submission process and, if so, what recommendations resulted. Answering those questions will help determine whether the 2022 change was a simple housekeeping fix or a narrowing of public oversight that warrants further adjustment.
Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.
