town report R E A L E STAT E
What’s happening in your town? Here’s a report from all over the Outer Banks.
COM PIL ED BY C ATH ERI N E KOZ A K
Currituck County The Currituck County Board of Commissioners approved special-use permits for two separate proposed developments in Moyock this past January: Flora Farms’ proposed phased construction of 277 residential units, and the proposed Fost development of 178 dwelling units, also in phases. The board had previously tabled both requests after heated discussions at a prolonged meeting on December 20, 2021 that raised concerns over school and sewage capacities, but on January 3, the permits were approved with five of seven board members present. Both applicants also agreed to push back the dates of their construction phases. In other news, long-time county attorney Donald “Ike” McRee has been chosen as the new county manager, succeeding former Dare County Manager Ben Stikeleather. McRee, whose new role was announced by the board of commissioners at its February 7 meeting, first served as county attorney in 1989, and returned to the position again in 2008, according to a statement by the county. McRee had been serving as Dare’s interim manager when he expressed a desire to take on the role fulltime, and a search is currently being conducted to fill the county attorney position.
Duck In February, Barrier Island Station was granted approval by the Duck Town Council to fill an area of its property that exceeds the three-foot limit allowed by the town. The land is located on the site of a proposed recreation center the resort wants to build, but the approved special-use permit only relates to the fill request. The town is also developing plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its incorporation on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Although details had not yet been finalized as of press time, the celebration is expected to include a concert, food vendors and an art exhibit with photos 3 6 | S PR I N G 2022
and other memorabilia gathered from residents, property owners and visitors. Potential contributors to the exhibit can submit their information through the town’s website.
Southern Shores Area garbage blight could be addressed through the town’s solid waste ordinance, according to a presentation by Planning Board Chairperson Andy Ward at a Southern Shores Town Council meeting on February 1, 2022. Ward recommended clearly labeling trash cans for regular trash or recyclables and including directional arrows facing toward the street, requiring sufficient numbers of receptacles to meet occupancy needs, asking the town’s Public Works Department to help during off-season roll-backs or mishaps, investigating roll-out service and dumpster possibilities, notifying property owners and managers of compliance expectations and penalties, enlisting police assistance in identifying repeat offenders, and including information on trash rules in tenant welcome packages. Mayor Elizabeth Morey directed staff to draft proposed amendments to the town code that could update the town’s solid waste ordinance.
Kitty Hawk Design plans for Kitty Hawk’s new police station, an emergency management services (EMS) substation and a fire station bay were approved by the town council on January 10, according to the town newsletter. The proposed joint-use facility between the town and Dare County EMS would be located on town-owned property along the U.S. 158 Bypass, and include a 7,000-square-foot police station, a 4,500-square-foot county EMS station and a 2,000-squarefoot enclosed fire truck bay. Plans include hiring a construction manager who will solicit bids and manage costs within the town and county’s total budget of $8.5 million. Construction is expected to begin in early 2023.
Kill Devil Hills Teacher housing at the Run Hill Ridge complex could be expanded after a zoning amendment was approved by the Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners on January 26 to permit multi-family housing. Officials with the Dare Education Foundation proposed plans to construct an additional eight-unit building in the vicinity of three similar existing buildings. The text amendment rezones the property from a resident low zoning district to a light industrial zone district, which updates earlier zoning changes that previously made the new building nonconforming. Construction on the proposed $2 million project is expected to start in about a year and take about 12 months to complete. Meanwhile, the long-planned and much-discussed Colington Road improvement project that stretches 4.3 miles between the U.S 158 Bypass and Island Drive began in February 2022. The $20 million contract, awarded to the Fred Smith Company of Raleigh, N.C., will include realignment and road widening with pathways along some sections, road resurfacing and raising, and the addition of extra turning lanes. The most substantial part of the work is expected to be finished by late 2023, and the project is scheduled to be complete by early 2024.
Nags Head New stormwater management rules were adopted on February 2 by the Nags Head Board of Commissioners. The intention behind amending the town’s Residential Stormwater Ordinance was to make it easier to understand and implement, while also protecting water quantity and quality, according to the town’s website. Per the new rules, fill requirements for lot developments are now more flexible and no longer require volume calculations. Detailed surveys
and elevation information must still be provided up front, however, but existing vegetation and stabilized open land may be used for stormwater management purposes.
Manteo On the heels of former Town Manager James Ayers’ retirement in December 2021, Shannon Twiddy, who currently serves a dual role as Manteo’s deputy town manager and the town’s finance director, recently announced that will she will retire on March 1, 2022. Twiddy began working for the town in 1993, and has worn many hats during her tenure there, including serving as town clerk, town planner and interim town manager. Town Planner Melissa Dickerson is currently serving as the town’s interim town manager.
Dare County A new oceanfront recreational vehicle (RV) park adjacent to Avon Pier, called Avon by the Sea RV Park, is expected to open in May 2022. After Dare County adopted revised rules for travel trailer parks in October 2020, the two-acre park was originally scheduled to open in the summer of 2021, but the project was delayed by weather and Covid-related labor and material shortages. Once open, Avon by the Sea is expected to fill a gap in short-term accommodations available in the area by offering 26 full hook-up sites, a bathhouse and a gated entrance. In other Dare County news, Noah Gillam has been promoted to county planning director, filling the position after long-time Planning Director Donna Creef retired on January 31, 2022. Gillam has worked in the planning department since 2015, and has served as the county’s assistant planning director since 2019.
