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Feds Rule in Favor of New Myrtle Beach Parking Rules.pdfFeds rule in favor of new Myrtle Beach parking rules I The State \ Steve Jessmore -\The Sun News file photo . i SOUTH CAROLINA Feds rule in favor of ·\~ new Myrtle Beach " parking rules \ BY AUDREY HUDSON ANQ CHLOE JOHNSON ahudson@thesunnews.com JULY 20, 201612:20 AM Parking fees for beach access in Myrtle Beach do not violate a federal contract for beach renourishment projects, yet the city decided . . Tuesday to revamp a key component of its plan and eliminated nearly all Ocean Boulevard parking along the Golden Mile. The announcement to remove the 60 parking spaces between 31st Avenue North and 52nd A venue North was made just hours before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced its review of the beach renourishment agreement, and whether it conflicted with the new parking plan. Page 1 of8 Feds rule in favor of new Myrtle Beach parking rules\ The State The corps determined that Myrtle Beach residents and non-residents "are being consistently charged for parking" as required by the agreement signed in 1995, the federal agency said in a statement. "The specifics of how those charges are incurred, whether through taxes to residents or fees to non­ residents, are a decision up to the City of Myrtle Beach and all questions about those charges should be directed to them," the corps said in a statement. Never miss a local story. Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access. SUBSCRIBE NOW The parking ordinance that went into effect July 5 allowed for residents who live along the Golden Mile to park on the east side of Ocean Boulevard, while parking on the west side was eliminated. New parking fees were also instituted at beach access parking areas. Myrtle Beach spokesman Mark :kruea says all but four parking spaces near Gardens by the Sea Park were eliminated from the boulevard Tuesday, and those remaining will be converted to paid parking. John Pedersen, Myrtle Beach city manager, said that restricting parking on the east side of the boulevard ·to residents only was the "weakest" part of the new parking plan. Page 2 of8 Feds rule in favor of new Myrtle Beach parking rules I The State "Our attomey had talked to [Army Corps'] attomey," Pedersen said. "I think there was a conversation generally about the contract and what we were doing, and our attomey concluded that if there was a weakness in our argument, it was that area where only city residents could park." I GUESS THE CORPS DOESN'T REALLY '' CONSIDER UNINCORPORATED HORRY COUNTY RESIDENTS EQUAL TO MYRTLE BEACH RESIDENTS. Harold Worley, Hony County councilman Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes offered a conflicting account, and said that the city did not remove the spaces because of its beach renourishment contract with the Army Corps. He said the city is considering whether to add bike lanes along the Golden Mile. "The corps said we had no problem, so if we wanted to keep it up like it says, we could have," he said. Asked if the federal agency consulted with Mylile Beach before issuing its decision, Corps spokesman Sean McBride generalized the discussion. "We did pass the information along to Mytile Beach and asked that in the future if they make any changes that may or may not affect the agreement, to let us know beforehand to make sure we can deal with it before it gets to this stage," McBride said. The question of whether the new parking plan conflicted with the beach renourishment agreement surfaced last week after Horry County Councilman Page 3 of8 Feds rule in favor of new Myrtle Beach parking rules I The State Harold Worley questioned whether the new parking plan was fair to county residents who live outside the city limits. The contract said the city "shall provide and maintain necessary access roads, parking areas and other public use facilities open and available to all on equal terms." Worley says he was also concerned the parking plan put beach renourishment dollars in jeopardy. The federal government has spent $24 million for renourishment effmis in My1ile Beach since 1995 . Worley was pleased the agreement was not compromised, but said the plan is still not fair to county residents or "equal," as the contract requires. "I guess the corps doesn't really consider unincorporated Harry County residents equal to My1ile Beach residents ," Worley said after hearing the decision. The parking plan allows My1ile Beach residents to park in the street ends without using the Parkmobile service to pay the hourly or daily rate, and parking spots along residential streets bordering the Golden Mile are restricted to neighborhood residents. Ocean Boulevard parking was to be restricted to My1ile Beach residents as well. · The ordinance passed by the city says that resident parking decals are "free with proof of vehicle taxes paid or proof of residency." Rhodes said Friday there was no free parking for Myrtle Beach residents -that their parking fees would be paid out of car taxes. Rhodes dismissed the concerns of county officials Page 4 of& Feds rule in favor of new Myrtle Beach parking rules I The State and insisted the parking plan is airtight. "Mr. Worley up there in North Myrtle Beach needs to won-y more about what's going on in that area more than in My1ile Beach. Obviously he doesn't know what he's talking about," Rhodes said. Hon-y County officials dispute whether Myrtle Beach residents are actually paying parking fees, and whether those fees are fair to everyone. Hon-y County residents must pay for street end parking, or can buy a $100 parking pass that's restricted to two lots. Horry County Auditor Lois Eargle says car taxes are not based on a flat rate, but are determined by the vehicle's make, model and year so car taxes paid by Myrtle Beach residents vm-y widely. There are several line items for separate fees included on car tax bills for Myrtle Beach residents, but none for parking, Eargle said. THE CORPS SAID WE HAD NO PROBLEM ... '' John Rhodes, mayor, Myrtle Beach "Cars are taxed by the value of cars, so some pay more than others -is that fair and equitable?" asked Hon-y County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus. "But it looks like they are taking one step at a time addressing the problem," said Lazarus, noting that he suggested to the county that parking on Ocean Boulevard be eliminated and a bike lane added. Page 5 of& Feds rule in favor of new My1ile Beach parking rules I The State The only issue remaining, he said, is whether county residents will be able to purchase parking passes for the street ends. "We'll get there (in) baby steps," Lazarus said. McBride said it's not up to the Army Corps how the city collects the parking charges, whether through fees or in taxes. He added that parking fees can be imposed to offset costs the city must pay for its share of the federal beach renourishment project. "It's not supposed to be a profit gaming thing for them, but to offset the cost," McBride said. Kruea says the parking fees collected are earmarked for the Downtown Redevelopment Corp., which is focused on improving the city center. That revenue has to be used for projects in the area that it is generated, which may include streetscape improvements, maintenance and capital projects like work on the boardwalk. The city council will again discuss parking issues at its meeting next week, Kruea said. "We may be talking about parking for a long time to come," Kruea said. Chloe Johnson: 8843-626-0381) @J_ ChloeAjohnson Audrey Hudson: 843-444-1765) @JAudreyHudson IN OTHER Iraqi Families Return to Rubble After IS Defeat ... NEWS Page 6 of8