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Manteo Mayor Bobby Owens broke a tie vote that will allow the use of boat lifts at town marinas. The vote to allow the devices came in spite of a Planning Board recommendation that the boat lifts were inconsistent with the town’s land use plan and should not be allowed.

Although the land use plan does not specifically address boat lifts, it does include language that calls for the town to preserve views to public trust waters and be in keeping with Manteo’s historic character.

In an effort to address the Planning Board’s concern, commissioner Jason Borland amended the motion by commissioner Eddie Mann to further clarify the ordinance change. Mann’s motion to approve the zoning text amendment that allows boat lifts at private marinas was amended to refer the new ordinance change back to the  Planning and Zoning Board to further clarify a prohibition of boat lifts on property owned by the town on the Historic Manteo Waterfront and to consider other restrictions.

Commissioners Betty Selby, Borland and Mann voted to approve the change. Commissioners Richie Burke, Christine Walker and Darrell Collins voted against the change. Owens broke the voting tie for the motion.

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