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By Summer Stevens

The Nags Head Board of Commissioners began their February 17 meeting with a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit and major site plan review for the construction of 196 feet of new dock for Kitty Hawk Watersports.

In the memorandum from the Planning and Development Department, deputy planning director Kelly Wyatt writes, “Staff finds this proposal to be consistent with policies supporting access to the water and water-based recreation opportunities as well as support of local businesses. Staff also finds that the proposal improves the conditions of the watercraft rental operations with respect to the protection of the estuarine resource.”

The commissioners approved the request for the new dock, and then moved on to discuss the most efficient sand fence spacing that will accomplish the goals of protecting sea turtles. The current spacing is every ten feet, but in an email to the board dated January 11, Nags Head resident John Cece urged the board to reconsider spacing the fencing twenty feet apart. The board agreed to gather more information and consider adjusting or eliminating the spacing where it may not be needed for existing dunes, grass or elevation.

Next, deputy town manager Andy Garman, representing the Waste Reduction Task Force, presented to the board recommendations for a new town recycling program. Garman and the task force suggested initiating a recycling subscription program that allows residents to opt-in to the curbside service for a fee. The actual cost of the subscription is $14 per month, but Garman recommended a subsidy from the town.

“It would show that the town cares about recycling and has some skin in the game,” Garman said. The commissioners agreed. They passed a motion to subsidize $5 of the $14 monthly fee, making the cost to residents $9 per month.

The board also voted to pursue a contract with TFC Recycling. According to Garman, there are still a lot of details to be worked out before the anticipated May start date, such as ordinance changes, schedule changes and what to do about the recycling carts, but he and his task force are excited to get started. “The committee members are very passionate about recycling,” Garman said.

The Board of Commissioners’ meeting closed with discussion led by Renee Cahoon regarding an extra four hours of vacation time for town staff who took time off work to get COVID vaccines. The motion passed.

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