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Currituck County continues to question how to handle the growth in the county. Moyock is “located in the fastest growing area of the county,” said Mark Bissell to the Board of Commissioners on March 15. Bissell represents Shingle Landing Villas, a planned townhouse development located on Moyock Landing Drive.

In 2017, the board approved the 16-unit development on a four-acre parcel. Now, the request is to subdivide the property to create individual lots. The Technical Review Committee (TRC) recommended denial of the request because the property is located in Moyock Elementary district, which is already above capacity. However, as Bissell and several commissioners pointed out, the county had already accounted for the extra students the development is expected to produce in the prior 2017 board approval. “Nothing has really changed except for lines on a map,” Bissell said.

The denial of the request brought comment from commissioner Paul M. Beaumont, who expressed apparent frustration at the continued citing of adequate public facilities as grounds for denial. “That was never the intent of adequate public facilities,” Beaumont said. “Sooner or later we need to have that discussion so that staff understands that going forward.”

This comes in light of several recommended denials from the TRC, including the Flora Farm development, despite the fact that the school district has plans to increase capacity in Moyock Elementary up to 750 students for the 2023-24 school year.

The motion was postponed due to a related stormwater text amendment to give the applicant time to get an expert witness. The item was tabled to the next meeting.

The commissioners shared updates regarding the COVID vaccine clinics. A second-round clinic was offered on Tuesday, March 16 and a first was scheduled Thursday, March 18 at the YMCA. Commissioner Kevin McCord reported that there are seventeen or eighteen active cases in the county. “I’m hoping we can become one of the sixteen states where you don’t have to wear a mask,” he said. “Numbers are going down huge.”

Chairman Mike Payment spoke on the ongoing structure fires. “Keep your first responders in your thoughts and prayers. Volunteer where you can,” he said. Commissioner Selina Jarvis agreed. Regarding the March 5 Old Grandy Store fire, Jarvis said, “The firefighters battled that fire for hours. We are blessed as a county to have such wonderful first responders. We are truly blessed. Keep them in your prayers, tell them thank you when you see them.”

Commissioners urged residents to replace their smoke detector batteries or call the fire department for assistance.

Commissioner Bob White encouraged residents to serve with Meals on Wheels, which is getting ready to go back into homes. “Volunteers are always in short supply,” he said. “If you can do that it would be much appreciated.” Additionally, the Senior Center will be opening back up on Monday, March 22. Seniors are asked to reserve a spot for activities one day in advance. COVID guidelines will be followed.

In Corolla, White reported: “We’re moving ahead with the recycling program. There is overwhelming desire to keep that program going.” And, in the spirit of recycling, “If you put signs up, please help put them back.”

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