SURFSIDE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Surfside Beach’s planners are redoing the proposed oceanfront entertainment district to get more businesses near the town’s new pier.
The goal is to add more restaurants and other businesses to the beachfront, but some residents are concerned it could make the area too congested.
“We’re building a big, beautiful pier, which is going to be bigger,” said Surfside Beach resident Harry Kohlmann. “Where are people going to park?”
Parking in the entertainment district, or e-district, was the top concern of Surfside Beach residents at Monday’s planning commission meeting. The e-district would be a roughly 6.85-acre space between First Avenue South, Surfside Drive and Dogwood Drive South. The district’s goal would be to bring in new businesses and promote pedestrian traffic.
One solution for more parking would be to require new buildings to be elevated.
“Parking obviously, is always going to be an issue,” said Al Lauer, who’s on the planning commission. “But if you get parking under the buildings and the people who construct new places there deal with parking.”
The planning commission also doesn’t want buildings any taller than the current 55-foot limit. It also suggests what’s called an overlay district, so businesses would fit the current look of the town, which is nicknamed “the family beach.”
Town council member-elect Debbie Scoles says an e-district would fit in with a new pier, which a design was selected for last month.
“I think, aesthetically, that these two districts will be very cohesive,” Scoles said. “I think it’s going to generate a lot of revenue for this town.”
The planning commission ruled out allowing large resorts in the district. Potential businesses include restaurants and bars with rooftop seating, places to listen to live music and gift shops.
The town says a public hearing will be held on the e-district this summer before the proposal would go to town council for approval.
