The Town of Southern Shores issued a lot disturbance-stormwater management permit yesterday to SAGA Construction to demolish the structure and foundation of the historic flattop at 98 Ocean Blvd., as well as the driveway, deck-ramp, and septic system on the property.
SAGA intends to build a 12-bedroom, 12-bathroom, 5,981-square foot house with a swimming pool, tiki bar, parking spaces for 17 vehicles, and septic capacity for 24 people on the site—a plan that has aroused outrage and protest from hundreds of resident and non-resident Southern Shores property owners, who have made their views known through social media, emails to the Mayor and Town Council, and an online petition.
SAGA secured CAMA permits last month for 98 Ocean Blvd. and 134 Ocean Blvd., another oceanfront property on which the Kill Devil Hills developer proposes to build a nearly identical high-occupancy structure. The Beacon has learned, however, that SAGA does not yet own 134 Ocean Blvd. According to an informed source who prefers to remain anonymous, the real estate sale is scheduled to close Nov. 14.
Each of SAGA’s proposed structures would be adjacent to popular beach-access properties owned by the Southern Shores Civic Assn., which objected to their characterization as “single-family dwellings.” The residential district in which the developments would be located is for single-family dwellings only.
The Beacon also is aware that seven property owners who own property in the vicinity of one or both of SAGA’s developments have filed timely CAMA third-party hearing requests, seeking permission to appeal the issuance of the two CAMA permits. The property owners allege that SAGA’s developments are inconsistent with the Town of Southern Shores’ land-use plan and, therefore, that State and local permit officials should have denied the developer’s permit applications.
The SSCA did not file a hearing request.
N.C. General Statute §113A-120(a)(8), which is part of the N.C. Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA), requires a proposed development in an area of environmental concern, such as the Southern Shores oceanfront, to be consistent with the local land-use plan before a CAMA permit may be issued.
The chairman of the Coastal Resources Commission reviews all third-party requests for hearings and decides if a hearing should be granted.
Ann G. Sjoerdsma, 11/6/18
The Southern Shores Beacon 