Dare Commissioners provide updates on new Avon development, Buxton Beach, dredging permits at monthly meeting

This is an unofficial summary of the October 7 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting produced by the Dare County Public Relations Department. It does not include all items that were discussed at the meeting. To view the live-streamed video of the meeting on Dare County’s YouTube channel, click here. To read the official minutes, click here.

Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard provided an update about the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) following a meeting he and  Dare County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Wally Overman had with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. On Thursday, October 3, work at the Buxton FUDS began with the installation of a half mile of matting that allows the USACE’s heavy equipment to access all areas of the site. It is estimated that 100 truckloads of contaminated soil will be removed and taken to a special site in Alabama.

Approximately $2.2 million has been allocated for this work, and the contract is for 60 days. Comprehensive testing is ongoing, with the USACE now looking at the entire site rather than a smaller area. A comprehensive study is being prepared for all areas of the site as well. The USACE is also in the process of forming a restoration advisory board, which will hold its first meeting in late October 2024.

Dare County Manager Bobby Outten provided an update on the status of the county’s dredging permits, which were suspended on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Outten explained that Dare County has been working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to identify the issues indicated by the data points from the dredge. In addition, he reported that the recent meetings and calls with the USACE have been productive and the county has requested changes to the type of data the county receives during dredging operations.

In addition to third-party monitoring by the county’s engineering firm, dredging quality management (DQM) data will now display the authorized dredge box that will enable a Dare County employee to be able to monitor the information to quickly address any future concerns. The USACE is working with the county to resolve issues, and both parties are focused on keeping the dredge operational to maintain safe and navigable channels and inlets for local watermen.

Outten also indicated that the county expects to receive the dredging permits within the next few days so dredging operations can resume.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved a special use permit for a cluster home development in Avon. The project involves combining two parcels on Big Kinnakeet Drive to create a 1.81-acre site for the construction of 18 single-family 1,200-square-foot dwellings and 36 parking spaces. The zoning regulations for this district allow up to 10 dwelling units per acre, and the proposed development adheres to these guidelines.

In addition, homes in cluster developments must be rented or occupied as long-term housing, meaning they cannot be rented for less than 31 days. This ensures the development will provide longer-term housing rather than short-term rentals. The cluster housing ordinance was adopted in 2018 to encourage year-round housing. It currently applies in 11 zoning districts throughout the unincorporated areas of the county. Ten cluster home projects have been approved since its inception, with three having been constructed. For more information, visit DareNC.gov/Planning.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to approve applying for a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant to address storm-related damage and repetitive flood loss on Hatteras Island, specifically in the Rodanthe area. A  project development specialist recently hired by North Carolina Emergency Management is reaching out to eligible homeowners who may be interested in this voluntary program.

The project targets approximately 20 insured and repetitive loss properties in Rodanthe that are located close to the ocean and within 300 feet of stable vegetation. These properties are eligible for voluntary acquisition/buyouts, meaning FEMA could provide up to $360,000 per property to cover the costs of acquisition, demolition, and other related expenses.

It’s important to note that FEMA grants typically take three to four years from application to award, and any acquisition or demolition must occur after the grant is awarded. For more information about grants that Dare County has applied for, please visit DareNC.gov/Grants.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve WithersRavenel as the firm of choice to complete several key stormwater management projects on Hatteras Island. These projects, funded by recent state grants, are part of broader efforts to address stormwater issues in the area.

In preparation, the county issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the necessary engineering services, receiving four responses.

After careful evaluation, Dare County staff recommended WithersRavenel, and the Dare County Board of Commissioners authorized Dare County Manager Bobby Outten to negotiate and finalize a contract with the firm. For more information about grants that Dare County has applied for and projects that are currently underway, please visit DareNC.gov/Grants.

Dare County Manager Outten provided an update regarding subpoenas he received on Thursday, October 3, 2024, for documents from the Dare County Board of Commissioners and the Oregon Inlet Task Force. He clarified that no individuals are required to appear and that all of the requested documents are being gathered to meet next week’s deadline.

Outten was assured by federal officials that the county is not being investigated but is required to produce records. He added that it is his understanding that the investigation is related to federal funds and pointed out that the money allocated for county projects—both the Miss Katie dredge and affordable housing—included no federal funding, only state funding.

Click here to view the subpoenas.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners scheduled a public hearing to be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 2024, to receive input regarding the Schedule of Values, Standards and Rules for the county’s 2025 revaluation. These are the basis, methodologies, and legislation behind the 2025 revaluation—not the actual values—but the methodology used to determine the values.

Final review of all parcels in the county is currently taking place, and value notices are expected to be mailed to property owners by the end of February 2025. Adjustments to updated values will be made by staff through the end of December. By North Carolina law, revaluation is required to take place at least every eight years. Dare County is currently on a five-year revaluation schedule. Dare County’s last revaluation was implemented in January 2020. To view the Schedule of Values, Standards, and Rules for the county’s 2025 revaluation, please click here.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in support of the community’s participation in Operation Green Light, a National Association of Counties initiative that encourages residents and businesses to honor veterans by displaying green lights in their homes and businesses to let local veterans know they are seen, appreciated and supported. The Dare County Board of Commissioners urges members of the community to participate in Operation Green Light 2024 by shining green lights from November 4 through November 11 as a symbol of appreciation for the service and sacrifices made by our veterans. During this period, numerous Dare County government buildings will also be illuminated by green lighting to show support for our local heroes. For more information, please click here to watch a short video or visit DareNC.gov/GreenLight.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a grant application to receive state funding from the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, which is responsible for expanding access to broadband infrastructure, supporting affordability, advancing digital literacy, and building digital equity in North Carolina. If awarded, the grant—which is part of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s Stop-Gap Solutions Program—would be used to provide broadband coverage to the mainland Dare County communities of East Lake and Mashoes. For more information about grants that Dare County has applied for, please visit DareNC.gov/Grants.

Following a presentation from Dare County Schools Superintendent Steve Basnight, the Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to approve Dare County Schools’ request for funding not to exceed $415,000 to implement a universal meals program that will provide breakfast and lunch to Dare County students at no cost. In addition to addressing food security issues and alleviating the financial burden on local families by ensuring all students in Dare County Schools have access to nutritious meals at no charge, implementation of the universal meals program will offer a variety of additional benefits that range from improving attendance and academic performance to combating childhood obesity and eliminating the stigma associated with receiving school lunches. To read full comments from Superintendent Basnight’s presentation, please click here.

Dare County Manager Bobby Outten reported that field improvements at the Nags Head Soccer Complex, including one additional youth-size soccer field, are coming along nicely. Sod is expected to be installed later this month, and the field is expected to be ready for play in the spring of 2025.

An upcoming scoreboard replacement project involves replacing all eight scoreboards at the various Dare County Parks and Recreation sports fields throughout the county. The new scoreboards have arrived and installation will begin soon.

Site plans are under review for the 10 new competition-sized outdoor pickleball courts in Nags Head for which the county has allocated funding. These courts are proposed to be constructed at the site of the former Pamlico Jack’s Restaurant, located at 6708 S. Croatan Highway in Nags Head. To access the latest updates regarding Dare County Parks and Recreation facility and field updates, please click here.

Dates for the upcoming community input meetings that will help shape the future of planning for Dare County Parks and Recreation will be announced soon. In addition, a Dare Recreation survey will be available online in the near future. More information will be provided as it becomes available.