MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Developers in Market Common want to make more room for homes, and give less room to retailers.

City council approved plans for the the area that had a mixture of town homes and live-work units. Now developers want to all new work in the area to be single family homes in their place.

Development is split into districts, plans show 50 single family homes instead of the original 88 townhomes and 10 live-work units.

23 live-work units already being constructed have also been proposed to be converted back into just townhomes with no retail first floors.

What would have been 33, is now down to zero new retail locations because, “right now those spots are being sold for single family homes more than anything else,” said Allison Hardin, Planner for Myrtle Beach Planning Commission.

The plans would incorporate a mixture of houses to stay away from a standard look with more brick into the facades, to alievate one of the city’s main concerns of maintaining the architectural look of the area.

“The Planning Commission really looks at things and how they fit in the neighborhood. If they feel that the proposal would not fit in the neighborhood than they absolutely have the ability to recommend a denial based on that,” said Hardin.

Peter Kalbacher isn’t concerned about what comes to Market Common as long as it continues to develop, “I think anything they come and build is great,” said Kalbacher.

Kalbacher’s family opened Kalbacher & Lee in the SoHo area (south of Howard St.) last August.

“Since then we’ve probably seen 10 new stores open,” said Kalbacher.

He says the new businesses were a welcome sight because filling retail space in the area had been a problem in the past.

“It was pretty blighted, it was empty stores here and there,” said Kalbacher.

City planners say changes to the retail plans have nothing to do with the current storefronts.

“It has nothing to do with the ability to fill the exisitng retail spots it has everything to do with keeping market common’s building momentum going,” said Hardin.

Other store owner in there are are exited about adding more homes for increased foot traffic.

Darya Suddreth owns The Olive Shoppe, she says she’s less concerned with bringing in more storefronts than growing her own clientell.

“We’re getting a lot of repeat business and a lot of that is locals in this area,” said Suddreth, and she hopes more homes means more people in her shop.

Kalbacher understands people would like to keep the urban feel of Market Common, but he just wants to see progress, “sure I’d love to see the same theme but the reality is the retailers right now are struggling and they work hard for every dime they get just to make their rent.”

The proposal also eliminates the potential for 10,000 sq. feet of retail/office space at the corner of Shine Ave & Farrow Pkwy.

The Myrtle Beach Planning Commission will decide whether or not to recommend the proposal to City Council at their next meeting, coming up on March 15th. The public is welcome to attend to voice their opinion.