TOWN REPORT

REAL ESTATE town report

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 fi ve 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, fi rst 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 fi ll the county attorney position.

Duck

In February, Barrier Island Station was granted approval by the Duck Town Council to fi ll 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 fi ll 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 fi nalized as of press time, the celebration is expected to include a concert, food vendors and an art exhibit with photos 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 suffi cient 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 off enders, 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 fi re 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 fi re 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. Offi cials 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 fi nished 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, fi ll requirements for lot developments are now more fl exible and no longer require volume calculations. Detailed surveys

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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 fi nance 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 fi ll a gap in short-term accommodations available in the area by off ering 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, fi lling 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.