The North Myrtle Beach Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request Thursday evening for a special exception to allow helicopter rides near Barefoot Landing.
Carroll Rogers requested to develop the company on a vacant piece of land on US-17 and Windy Hill Road Extension, near the Grand Strand Airport. About 100 people who live and work in the immediate area attended Thursday evening’s meeting in opposition.
“I think helicopter businesses like that are family entertainment,” Jeff Church, of Windy Hill, said. “But the proximity is not a good proximity for what I think would be quality entertainment for that, and I think there could be a place, but this is not the right place.”
A representative for Rogers told officials the company would offer pre-mapped tours of the Grand Strand. Helicopters would fly over the Grand Strand airport and towards the Intracoastal Waterway to begin their routes, according to Steve Powell.
Powell said the company would operate three to four helicopters from its North Myrtle Beach location and make 30-40 flights per day in peak season. Powell says the company planned to use some of the quietest helicopters on the market that would be no louder than traffic on US-17, but residents weren’t convinced.
More than a half dozen people voiced their concerns – including noise, traffic, safety near major power lines and the threat of decreased property values.
“We’re disappointed that the community had this reaction,” Powell said. “I mentioned earlier we believe this is the best possible site if you’re going to have a helicopter tour business in North Myrtle Beach. So we’ll continue to see if we can find a way to make that happen.”
