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Dare County commissioners approved a cluster home development in Frisco and enacted a resolution about the county’s Home Health and Hospice service at their meeting on Feb. 1, 2021.

The Frisco development, called Maritime Ridge at 50636 NC 12, features four 900-square foot buildings on property owned by Christopher Clark and Kathryn Clark.

The development meets the requirements of the cluster home group development ordinance, which includes a prohibition against short-term occupancy defined as 30 days or less.

The commissioners scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. for the suggested change in the travel trailer and campground ordinance.

In October 2020, the commissioners adopted a major revision of the travel trailer park ordinance to include camping cabins. As passed, the ordinance sets out a 50%-50% ratio between camping cabins and recreational vehicles with a 28-unit per acre density limit. At the time of passage, Dare’s commissioners instructed the county’s planning board to take a look at creating a flexible ratio.

The Planning Board is recommending that the ratio go up to 100% camping cabins, but anything higher than 50% is limited to a density of 14 units per acre.

Dare’s commissioners set in motion a process to gather information about Home Health and Hospice services. By statute, the county is required to publish a notice of intent to sell its Medicare-certified agency in order to find out information from possible providers.

County manager Robert L. Outten repeatedly stated that the no decision has been made about selling the Certificate of Need. “We have not made any decision,” said Outten, four times by his count.

In opening comments, Robert L. Woodard, board chairman, reported that he, Vice Chairman Wally Overman and Outten met with Rep. Bobby Hanig and State Senator Bob Steinburg and with NCDOT representatives as well as representatives of U.S. Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis to discuss the Alligator River Bridge.

Woodard thanked the 150 people who listened live to his 2021 State of the County report, which has also been viewed over 500 times.

He gave an update on coronavirus in Dare County and reminded citizens to continue practicing the three Ws.

On the consent agenda, the commissioners approved:

– A reimbursement resolution, which permits the county to reimburse itself for purchasing expenses incurred before placement of financing. The mid-year budged revisions included $1,671,162 for equipment and vehicles, some of which needed to be purchased prior to financing.

– An easement agreement with Dominion Power for relocating existing overhead power lines underground in preparation for the new College of The Albemarle academic building. Outten was given permission to sign the easement agreement.

– A budget amendment for state and federal funding for the COVID-19 vaccination program and local technical assistance training. Funding will be used for the costs of registered nurses administering the vaccinations, additional cell phone costs and supplies and personal protective equipment for the vaccination clinics. Total funding is $114,547 in state/federal funds and fees from Medicare, Medicaid and insurance.

The commissioners appointed, as recommended, Amanda Hooper, representing the business sector, and Lorenzo Foster, from a non-profit organization, to the Transportation Advisory Board.

Finance director David Clawson announced Dare County will appeal a decision by FEMA to deny costs associated with shutting down access to the county. Dare applied for reimbursement of $75,000 in expenses for checkpoints. FEMA denied $63,000.

The board concluded this meeting with a long closed door session regarding the potential purchase of real property from Conch Street Endeavors, Inc. and to consult with the county attorney. At the end of the meeting, Outten announced that the board had given instructions regarding the real estate purchase and took no further action.

The meeting started a little after 9 a.m. and adjourned at 11:49 a.m.

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