Over 100 Residents Attended Zoning Meeting To Say 'Not In My Back Yard'

The North Myrtle Beach, SC Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously last week not to approve a new helicopter tour business that wanted to base in the Windy Hill area of the city.

Carolinalive.com reports that more than 100 residents of the area attended the meeting to express their opposition to the business, which was proposed by Florida-based Venture Engineering. The arguments against the business were pretty standard fare in such matters. Residents said the business would lower their property values, increase traffic, and generate a lot of noise.

One resident told Carolinalive.com that the residents did not see the value in the business. Wallace Reams said that while he understood that the helicopter tours would generate revenue for the company, and be good for tourists, it would not bring value to the community.

Venture Engineering wanted to offer helicopter tours over the Barefoot Landing area.

Venture Engineering president Steve Powell said that the Windy Hill area was the location best suited for basing the tour business, and that he was "disappointed" that the community was so strongly opposed. He said that the company would continue to work to see if a compromise could be reached.

FMI: www.nmb.us/Page.aspx?id=22