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During a very short meeting on June 16, Kitty Hawk Planning Board members voted to recommend granting a special use permit application from Jeffrey Pokorny, MD to establish a medical office at 5121 North Croatan Highway.

According to town documents, plans include converting an existing structure already on the site to be used as a medical office. Services would specifically include plastic surgery along with some spa services such as massage and facial treatments. The proposed site use would consist of one doctor and a support staff of three to four people at any given time. Serving as the office for the plastic surgeon, all surgeries will be performed at the hospital with only minor procedures not requiring anesthesia taking place at the proposed site.

Located on a 14,000 sq. ft. lot just south of Ambrose Furniture, the existing two story structure meets a 35 foot maximum height requirement for the BC-2 district and has direct access from US 158 as well as access in the rear from Ride Lane. Outer Banks Family Medicine and Outer Banks ENT are directly across the bypass.

During a review and discussion on the request, town attorney Casey C. Varnell explained to the board that hospitals, clinics and medical offices are included in Town Code and there are no specific zoning ordinance conditions required for approval within the BC-2 district.

Varnell added also that his notes from Kitty Hawk planning director Rob Testerman, who was unable to attend the meeting, indicate that all special use requirements set out in Town Code 42-99(B)7 have been met:
a. does not materially endanger the public health or safety,
b. does meet all required conditions and specifications,
c. will not substantially injure the value of adjoining property or be a public nuisance, and
d. will be in harmony with the area in which it is located and be in general conformity with the comprehensive plan.

The only concern on the request from the board was from Planning Board Chair John Richeson. Noting that site improvements would create a lot coverage area of more than 60 percent, which would require use of 90 sq. ft. of permeable pavement, he asked if the board could include a condition that documentation meeting that standards be provided.

Varnell advised that while there would likely be no harm in doing so, he reminded the board they were not approving a site plan and that the issue would be addressed during a site plan review. He said also that another option is to make a note they had seen it and that the issue needs to be addressed at some point by Town Council.

Satisfied that the lot coverage issue will come back again in a site plan review, a motion to approve the application was given a unanimous vote of approval.

The only other board action for the night was a vote approving the May 26 meeting minutes.

With business for the day completed, the meeting was adjourned.

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