North Myrtle Beach city officials confirmed this week that Planning and Development Director James Wood and Chief Building Official Bradley Hardee are no longer employed by the city. The city did not disclose whether the departures were resignations or terminations, but interim leaders have been appointed to keep essential services moving.
Impact on growth‑related functions
Wood, a veteran of the city with roughly 17 years of service, oversaw rezoning, subdivisions, building permits and inspections – all critical as the city grapples with rapid growth. City Manager Ryan Fabbri has repeatedly identified growth and the need to keep pace with large corporate projects on Water Tower Road and new residential developments as the city’s biggest challenge.
Hardee stepped into the chief building official role after a series of departures that began in mid‑2025. His exit marks the second turnover in that position since the summer of 2025, leaving the building division without a permanent head.
Broader staffing turnover
The departures join a growing list of senior City Hall changes since 2024, including the retirement of longtime finance director Randy Wright and public works director Kevin Blayton in 2025, and the forced exit of City Manager Mike Mahaney in 2024. Current audit data show an interim finance director, interim public works director and interim human resources director as of May 2026.
Three additional infrastructure‑related positions remain vacant: a public works director (salary $150,000‑$185,000), a project engineer ($81,000‑$123,000) and an operations manager for streets and drainage (about $90,000). These roles are essential for reviewing developer plans, inspecting construction and maintaining storm‑water systems – especially important in a low‑lying coastal city where drainage is a public safety issue.
Financial backdrop
Despite staffing challenges, the city’s fiscal health shows signs of improvement. The FY 2025 audit received a clean, unmodified opinion, and Moody’s assigned an Aa2 rating while S&P gave the aquatic‑center bonds an AA‑ rating. However, the FY 2024 audit was delayed until May 2026, prompting the state treasurer to withhold funds from municipalities that miss the 13‑month filing deadline.
Implications for major projects
The city’s flagship ocean‑front development, the 14‑story Compass by Margaritaville hotel, broke ground in September 2025 with a $68.5 million construction loan. The building division, planning department and public works are all involved in reviewing and approving the project’s design, zoning and utility connections. With the planning director and chief building official gone, and the public works director and project engineer positions vacant, the city has not identified who will sign off on inspections or drainage plans.
Residents and developers are urged to monitor City Council and Planning Commission agendas for updates on interim appointments and to watch for the FY 2026 audit, which must be filed within the state’s 13‑month window.
What residents can watch
- Whether the Planning Commission and City Council agendas begin to slip or are delayed.
- Who the city names as the interim building official responsible for the Margaritaville project.
- When the FY 2026 audit is released and whether it meets the state deadline.
While interim leaders can keep day‑to‑day operations moving, the loss of long‑standing staff risks institutional memory and could slow critical approvals for new subdivisions, roads and storm‑water infrastructure. Clear communication from city officials will be essential to maintain confidence among homeowners, builders and developers.
Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.
