Horry County is planning to sue the city of Myrtle Beach following a push by city officials to sell campground land, which directly benefits the Myrtle Beach International Airport.
A lis pendens was filed in court last week, which signals a “suit pending.” The court document highlights the 145 acres of contentious land inside the Lakewood Camping Resort and Pirateland Family Camping Resort that the city of Myrtle Beach plans on selling.
The Myrtle Beach City Council voted in November to sell the land. However, a second vote is needed and should occur in the next month or so.
Horry County officials directly oppose the sale of the land, citing its numerous benefits to the airport and the alleged overreach of legal obligations to the county.
“We’re going to do what we can do legally to protect that property so that we can protect the airport. The airport’s important to Horry County. The sole purpose of the money generated from [the properties] is to support the airport. If that is sold and that money goes somewhere else, it won’t be supporting the airport,” said Johnny Gardner, Horry County Council Chairman.
The court filings came as a shock to Myrtle Beach officials and it is unclear at this time how these actions may affect the next city council vote on the proposed sale of the land.