Highlights from the February 2025 Dare County Board of Commissioners Meeting

The following is a summary of the February 3 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting and does not include all items that were discussed. To view the full 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 on his recent meeting with Brad Alexander, owner of Aria Construction and Development, regarding the county’s interest in potentially purchasing his property in Wanchese, which is currently being developed into a 48-unit cluster home project called The Villages at Old Wharf Road.
Woodard, along with Dare County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Steve House, met with Alexander on January 20, 2025, to explore the possibility of a purchase; however, Alexander told them that the property is no longer for sale. Woodard emphasized that the board was never willing to meet Alexander’s previous $6 million asking price and will not continue to pursue the purchase of the property in any capacity. He also made it clear that the county will not consider eminent domain as an option for acquiring the property.
Following a discussion in which all seven commissioners agreed, Woodard stated that this would be the board’s final conversation on the matter and indicated that his hope is that Alexander will hold true to his assurance that The Villages at Old Wharf Road will be a quality development that the Wanchese community can take pride in once it is completed.
Two representatives from McGill Associates—Mike Norris and Nate Halubka—provided an update on the results from the Dare County Parks and Recreation Department’s needs assessment survey that was conducted by the firm in the fall of 2024 to gather community input. Norris and Halubka reviewed the key findings from the survey, highlighting the priorities and needs that were indicated by the members of the community who participated.
The data presented in the report is not a finalized plan for upcoming Dare County Parks and Recreation field and facility improvements; however, it will serve as the foundation for developing a comprehensive master plan and help to guide future decision-making.
Now that the initial assessment phase of the project is complete, Dare County is expected to continue work with McGill Associates and proceed to Phase 2, which will focus on developing recommendations for Parks and Recreation field and facility improvements. This phase will also include exploring various funding options, including the potential for the county to apply for and receive grants to support these projects. To view the report, please click here. To view the presentation from the meeting, please click here.
Dare Community Housing Task Force Chair Donna Creef presented the task force’s 2024 final report, titled “Housing for Now and Future Generations.” Creef also provided an update on the latest initiatives being undertaken by the task force in its ongoing efforts to find solutions to the lack of housing options in Dare County—including its participation in the highly selective “Our State, Our Homes” program led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Carolina Across 100 initiative. Creef noted that the Dare Community Housing Task Force is one of 14 teams representing 22 counties from all regions of North Carolina for the program, whose first in-person meeting is scheduled for February 18-19, 2025.
Following the presentation by Creef and Dare Community Housing Task Force Vice Chair Malcolm Fearing, Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard stated that he is hopeful the task force will make meaningful progress but voiced concern over the lack of public support for addressing the county’s housing shortage. Woodard emphasized the urgent need to shift public perception and underscore the importance of providing housing for the local workforce, stressing that changing this mindset must be a priority in order to achieve real progress.
Creef echoed this sentiment, noting that the task force’s next steps will include outreach initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the severity of the housing crisis and fostering greater community buy-in for efforts to find solutions. To view the Dare Community Housing Task Force’s 2024 report, please click here. For more information about the task force—including a list of current members, upcoming meeting dates and minutes from past meetings—visit DareNC.gov/Housing.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the proposed text amendment to Section 22-65 of the Dare County Zoning Ordinance following a public hearing that was held regarding the proposed changes. The draft amendment, which was recommended by the Dare County Planning Board, establishes guiding standards for Quasi-Judicial review of Special Use Permits. These changes allow the Dare County Board of Commissioners to consider broader impacts on neighboring properties and to impose conditions on Special Use Permits when necessary, ensuring a more thorough evaluation of Special Use Permit applications and development proposals, based on evidentiary support.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners adopted the following three resolutions to address various issues of concern in Dare County.
- Resolution Requesting that the Jetty Light at Oregon Inlet Remain in Place and be Repaired or Replaced
- Resolution in Regard to the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Draft Fisheries Management Plan for Spotted Sea Trout
- Resolution Concerning the Regulation of Kratom in North Carolina
These newly adopted resolutions will be published on the Dare County website once they have been signed. To access all published resolutions of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, click here.
Dare County IT Director Matt Hester has been named Dare County’s Employee of the Year for 2024, an honor awarded by his peers in recognition of his strong work ethic, exceptional knowledge and dedication to his duties. Dare County Human Resources Director Elizabeth Reilly presented Hester with the award, noting that he was selected for this prestigious recognition from the 12 Employee of the Month winners from last year, after being nominated by his colleagues not only for his expertise and leadership but also for his commitment to excellence in serving Dare County. As IT Director, Hester plays an integral role in equipping Dare County’s 700-plus employees with the technological tools and resources needed to deliver a variety of essential services to the community.
Members of the Buxton Civic Association delivered a presentation titled, “Eroding Trust, Building Resolve,” which detailed how coastal erosion exposed former military structures at the Buxton Beach Access, leading to petroleum contamination and prompting the Buxton community to take action to address the issue.
As part of their presentation, Buxton Civic Association members expressed the urgent need for shoreline stabilization, stressing the importance of protecting N.C. Highway 12, which serves as their lifeline. They mentioned potential solutions, including the possibility of repairing the jetties to help mitigate erosion or securing state legislation to make repairs, which has been done in other areas of North Carolina. The Dare County Board of Commissioners acknowledged the importance of continuing to protect Hatteras Island’s coastline and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the area.
Dare County Manager Bobby Outten reported that engineers working on behalf of the county have been hired to conduct a study to determine if 50% of the groin remains in place when taking into account the part of the structure that is covered by sand. If so, this would meet the threshold that determines the state’s standard for a permit to be issued for repairs. A permit from the National Park Service would also be needed.
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard indicated his willingness to take these concerns to the state legislature in Raleigh, as well as federal representatives in Washington, D.C., in an effort to secure support for potential solutions.
To view the presentation that was delivered by members of the Buxton Civic Association during the meeting, please click here. For more information about the ongoing remediation efforts taking place at the Buxton Beach Access, visit DareNC.gov/BuxtonFUDS.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners welcomes citizen participation on advisory boards and committees. This type of grassroots public involvement is the foundation of democracy and a vital part of maintaining Dare County as a quality place to live. Following is a list of Dare County advisory boards and committees with terms expiring during the next three months:
March 2025
- Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
- Working Watermen Commission
April 2025
- Manns Harbor Marina Commission
May 2025
- Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
- Dare County Veterans Advisory Council
- Working Watermen Commission
- Zoning Board of Adjustment – Dare County
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and once an application is submitted to the Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners, it will remain on file for three years. For a full listing of current vacancies, and to access the online application, please click here. For more information, please contact Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners Skyler Foley at Skyler.Foley@DareNC.gov or 252-475-5700.