NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Some homeowners who live in Barefoot Resort are protesting plans for a new development in their community.
Kenan Walker represents Barefoot Lakes Investors, the group that owns the land. Walker said the plan is to annex the 60 acres of land into the city of North Myrtle Beach and develop it into single family homes as a part of Barefoot Resort.
Tonight, city planners are looking over the proposal and hearing from homeowners. Some say they are concerned about the wetlands right behind some of their homes, but Walker said the wetlands will stay as they are.
He added the existing homes will have a buffer of trees for privacy. "We're happy to listen to their concerns. I'm glad they are concerned about their neighborhood, but they have misconceptions and the vast majority of people concerned about any development will be several hundred feet from their homes."
Some homeowners said they just do not want to add to their community. Ruth Boward said, "We want to keep the community the way it is and not have it damaged by other people coming in and destroying our back yards."
Walker said an access road would need to be built to get to the landlocked acres. "The road would be built to 31 as close as possible and away from the two houses it might affect. We would leave a substantial buffer between the houses and road."
But some of the residents said the amenity center as well as the roads in Barefoot are already too crowded. Virginia Talley said, "To do that would be a very deadly place for people to pull out. That is where everybody walks. Everybody drives through there. It's a main thoroughfare for us."
Boward added, "We don't need more traffic. We don't need more people traveling through this community. We have a hard time getting out our driveway… I mean the road…right now getting on to Marsh Glen because people don't slow down."
But Walker said they are taking steps to make sure everyone stays safe. Walker said, "We have hired a traffic engineer to answer the questions. He has alleviated to meet all the city codes and DOT codes to make sure it is safe."
After the planning commission hears the concerns of homeowners, North Myrtle Beach city officials said they will propose a recommendation to city council about how to handle the plans.
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