08-04-2025
North Myrtle Beach leaders OK two big residential projects years in the making
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — City leaders on Monday quickly pushed through ordinances clearing the way for a pair of high-profile projects that have been in the works for years.
First, officials approved a new look for Bahama Island, initially conceived in 2018 as a 361-spot RV resort that's now being built as Long Bay Village, a 137-unit subdivision off the Intracoastal Waterway.
Under terms of the deal, the city will receive up to $698,700 in enhancement fees.
'I think we've been through this many times, and it's a huge reduction in density. I'm OK with everything they've done here,' councilman Fred 'Bubba' Collins said.
Also Monday, a scaled-back version of The Preserve was accepted, allowing Florida-based The Klotz Group to move forward with plans for a 597-home community.
The Florida-based Klotz Group of Companies bought the property in 2021 and announced plans last year for a $250 million community of more than 800 homes and a 10-square-foot commercial building on 110 acres.
However, after months of working through concerns such as density, green space, road maintenance and driveway sizes, the scope of The Preserve project was narrowed to a little more than 600 homes. Then, after a contentious March 10 meeting in which Hatley and other city leaders continued to express concerns about the project, the developer cut 16 more homes from the total.
'We have been on his one item at least four months, at least, and it is time for us to make a decision one way or the other,' a frustrated Mayor Marilyn Hatley said Monday night. 'I'm for delaying it, but I'm not for delaying it the next council meeting. We have other business to do, and we need to take care of our other business.'
Josh Hughes, of Charleston-based Long Leaf Real Estate, said previously that developers have followed guidance from the city's planning commission and council and altered plans, including adding two-car garages to some cottages and clarifying public and private roads for maintenance purposes.
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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.
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