In court records filed Tuesday in the 15th Circuit Court, the Surfside Beach Planning and Zoning Commission has sued the city of Surfside Beach over the newly approved “E” District.ย The suit focuses on a last minute attachment to the ordinance approved by City Council on Tuesday, October 9th.ย The “E” District measure passed city council with 6 voting for and 1 against.
The plaintiffs in the case include Beth Kohlmann and the entire Surfside Beach Planning And Zoning Commission.
The Surfside Beach Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously at last Thursday night’s meeting to authorize hiring legal council.ย Their vote can be heard and seen in the video below.
Many Surfside Beach residents attended and can be heard above speaking out against the “E” District as approved. The commissioners, and residents alike, are very upset about last minute amendments made to ordinance.
Commissioners say that the “E” District, as approved by council,ย will cause the town of Surfside Beach to lose its CRS rating.ย The National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.
Losing this rating will cause some resident homeowner insurance rates to increase.
Commissioners also believe those changes ignore FEMA regulations.ย Residents can be heard on camera stating that City Council completely ignored the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The matter is now headed to court.