People visiting or living in North Myrtle Beach may soon be able to drink alcohol in areas where they currently can not.
City council passed a first reading Monday night, of a request to allow what are called ‘Festival Zones’, according to Pat Dowling with the city. These zones would be areas where beer and wine could be legally possessed and consumed. The zone permits would only be available to property owners of a shopping and/or entertainment destination of 10 or more acres.
According to a request submitted by City Attorney Chris Noury, representatives from the Burroughs and Chapin Company, owner of the Barefoot Landing property, asked that the city authorize certain areas within Barefoot Landing as a zone where beer and wine could be consumed that would otherwise be unlawful.
If the amendment passes a second and final reading on March 4, Dowling says Barefoot could then apply for a Festival Zone (FZ) within that property. Other commercial areas could do the same.
Dowling says the city manager and public safety director would first review a location requested and would then make a recommendation to council, which would make the ultimate decision.
If it passes, a property owner applying for a FZ would be required to provide a map depicting the exact proposed boundaries of the FZ, including the tenants of the buildings contained within the zone.
Interested property owners would also need to provide a narrative of how the property owner would manage the possession and consumption of beer and wine within the FZ including but not limited to hours of operation and the proposed methods for containing the activity within the zone.
If the measure passes, only open containers of beer and wine could be possessed in the established areas. Other alcoholic beverages would be prohibited, consistent with state law.
Council also adopted an environmental resolution related to plastics Monday night.
Count on News13 for updates on this plan.
