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The Nags Head Board of Commissioners adopted two resolutions on May 5 to honor law enforcement officers and healthcare workers.

The first resolution proclaimed May 10-16 as Police Week “with appropriate ceremonies and observances in which all our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers, past and present, who, by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities, have rendered a dedicated service to their community and, in so doing, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens” and “to observe the 15th day of May 2021, as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day in honor of those law enforcement officers who, through their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community or have become disabled in the performance of duty, and let us recognize and pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes.”

The board then proclaimed May 9-15 and May 17-21 as Outer Banks Healthcare Weeks, and expressed “great appreciation for all the dedicated people, facilities and technologies that make reliable healthcare possible in our community.”

Next, the board held multiple public hearings and approved a text amendment clarifying language regarding electrical vehicle charging stations and electrical vehicle battery exchange stations.

The board decided to table until July consideration of the adoption of a second edition Town of Nags Head Low Impact Development and Stormwater Reference Manual, which, according to the manual, “is intended to provide a broad application of Low Impact Development techniques to new, existing and redevelopment sites. The level and types of applications will vary from site to site. It is intended to provide property owners, builders, developers and the general public with guidance on integrating LID at various scales. Stakeholders can use this manual as technical guidance to design, construct and maintain specific LID measures.”

In the last public hearing, deputy planning director Kelly Wyatt presented to the board text amendments to update the UDO as required by NC General Statutes 160D, which brings all local governments into compliance with state regulations and streamlines policy language. Local governments are required to adopt provisions before July 1, 2021. Wyatt brought several of the more significant changes to the board for review: the term “conditional use or conditional zoning” will be changed to “special use;” the town must remove manufactured homes from the list of prohibited uses and has been added as a permitted use in the C-3 Commercial Services District only; and duplex must be referred to as “two family.” Wyatt encouraged the commissioners to review the changes and be prepared for discussion and approval at the June 2 meeting.

The board moved on to old business that had been tabled from previous meetings. Michael Zehner, director of planning and development, presented text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) pertaining to outdoor lighting and lighting for signage. The board approved the amendments, which pertained to the lighting of wall signs, the lighting of roof signs, specifications associated with the external illumination of signs and technical limits on LED lights and parking lot lights.

Deputy town manager Andy Garman presented amendments to the town’s traffic control map in response to the Soundside Road Working Group, which was created to form solutions to the traffic problems caused by the popularity of the soundfront beach at Jockey’s Ridge. Amendments include Establishment of a “No Parking – Tow-Away Zone” on W. Soundside Road, S. Thirteenth Street and Deering Street, and establishment of a three-way stop on W. Soundside Road at the entrance to the Jockey’s Ridge Sound Access. The motion was approved as presented.

In the continued easing of restrictions related to COVID-19, the board affirmed that the town will remove the mask requirement for visitors and vendors at the Dowdy Park Farmer’s Market, though masks will still be encouraged. Booths will be spaced farther apart than in 2019 and hand sanitation stations will be set up at the park. The market will be open every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 27 to September 9.

Greg Sparks, interim town manager, presented a recommended budget summary for 2021-22, which included a one cent tax increase; and a five percent water increase.

The board also approved an amendment to board policy regarding town vehicle use, specifying language for the use of vehicles for carpooling and housing availability within specified mileage standards for take-home purposes. The town also has written administrative policies that give specific mileage regulations. Those administrative policies must conform to board policy, but the board does not write or maintain those policies.

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