7/12/19: PLANNING BOARD MEETS MONDAY TO DISCUSS TOWN’S BUILDING HEIGHT AND FILL RESTRICTIONS, ELECT OFFICERS; 3 CANDIDATES FILE FOR TOWN COUNCIL

Trench — When a builder hauled in more than the amount of fill that the town allows on a building lot, a trench was created at the rear of the property, which is on Woodland Drive, backing up to Hickory Trail. The uneven ground elevation remains even after completion of the new dwelling and installation of a swimming pool.

The Southern Shores Planning Board will meet Monday at 5:30 p.m. to elect new officers for the 2019-20 fiscal year and to discuss the town’s building and fill requirements, which it took up last fall when a builder requested a change in the applicable zoning ordinance that the Board tabled.

The membership of the Planning Board, which also serves as the Board of Adjustment, will look a little different when it kicks off the new fiscal year.

The Town Council filled three Board vacancies at its Tuesday meeting, unanimously reappointing Elizabeth Morey for another three-year regular term and appointing newcomers Donald D. Sowder and Tony DiBernardo to a three-year regular term and a three-year alternate term, respectively.

Ms. Morey has been serving as chairperson of the five-person Planning Board since chairperson Glenn Wyder’s death last November. She initially served in an interim capacity and was elected in January. The Board also has a vice chairperson.

Two public-comment periods will be held during the Board meeting.

Meeting agenda: https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/7-15-19-PB-Meeting-Agenda.pdf

Building and fill requirements: https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/7-15-19-Building-Height-and-Fill-Requirements.pdf.

TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION: Three four-year Town Council terms of office are expiring this year: those of Councilmen Christopher Nason, Gary McDonald, and Fred Newberry.

According to the N.C. State Board of Elections website, Ms. Morey filed yesterday to run for one of the Town Council offices, and Councilmen McDonald and Newberry filed earlier in the week for reelection. Applicants have until noon July 19 to file their notices of candidacy with the Dare County Board of Elections.

***

PLEASE EXCUSE THE DELAY

Dear Readers: Because of challenging circumstances this week, I have not had an opportunity to prepare a full report of Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. To quote the late John Lennon: “Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans.” I hope to be able to publish a meeting post this weekend.

You may view a videotape of the lively, well-attended, and politically charged meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQwlIZWXVD0.

Many in the meeting audience attended out of concern that Southern Shores was considering unnecessary and burdensome special-event legislation. Some public officials have worried about the use of SAGA Construction Inc.’s proposed structures at 98 and 134 Ocean Blvd. as special-event houses that would be frequented by upward of 100 guests at a time.

The Beacon would like to remind everyone that these structures are still the subject of pending litigation. Please see www.minihotels.com for details.

Thank you. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Ann G. Sjoerdsma, 7/12/19