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By Summer Stevens

The Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners met in person last Monday for their monthly meeting and approved three zoning amendments. The first clarified language relating to retail off-street parking and loading.

The second defined and added “Accessory Dwelling Unit,” allowing residents to add one single-family dwelling unit to their property, either attached or detached from the main dwelling and no larger than 800 square feet or fifty percent of the main dwelling, whichever is smaller. Requirements must be followed for building setbacks, building codes, permits and parking. Recreation vehicles, travel trailers, and/or manufactured homes are not to be used or approved as an ADU. Mayor Ben Sproul called the ADU a “baby step” in “allowing folks to the opportunity to make money on their property, and offer affordable housing” in Kill Devil Hills.

According to the report, “The purpose of these provisions for all accessory dwelling units is to allow the efficient use of existing housing stock, parcels of land, and community infrastructure, and to increase the number and variety residential units while respecting the scale and character of existing neighborhoods.”

Third, the board approved an amendment to reduce the minimum lot size from 20,000 square feet to 15,000 square feet for duplex dwelling units. According to Sproul, “This makes us more consistent and adds more housing options.”

In new business, the board authorized the upset bid process for the potential sale of a 43,500 square foot parcel located at 2011 South Croatan Highway and East Eighth Street in Kill Devil Hills. The offer of $1,505,000 came from MPF Investment Company. The board initiated a ten-day period in which they will wait for a higher offer to come forward before proceeding with the sale process.

In other new business, the board discussed a request from First Flight High School’s athletic director to reduce the speed limit on the westernmost gravel portion of Veterans Drive from 25 mph to 15 mph. Increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic prompted the request. The area is seeing an increase in use, particularly during athletic events and when residents use the disc golf course. The board approved the request, noting that appropriate measures need to be taken to increase awareness of the speed change.

The board also discussed staffing changes after the retirement of assistant town manager Shawn Murphy. Charlene Allen, who served as assistant finance director, will be replacing Murphy. Angel Dowdy will be replacing Allen as assistant finance director.

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