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After months in the works, Nags Head seems to have finally struck a compromise for the rezoning of a portion of its C-2 General Commercial district that makes many people happy.

On Wednesday, May 3, 2023 commissioners unanimously approved a zoning map amendment from Danube Street to Hollowell Avenue from C-2 to a combination of C-5, the newly formed Historic Character Commercial Zoning District and R-3, High Density Residential.

The stated purpose is to preserve the integrity of the Historic Character Area as described in the 2022 Town of Nags Head Comprehensive Plan.

The vote was tabled at the March 1 meeting to send the amendments back to the planning board for further changes, specifically to rezone the 4.7-acre parcel at 100 E. Hollowell Avenue from the originally recommended R-3 to C-5.

Several property owners spoke up during the public hearing to voice approval of the changes.

“No one knows what the future is going to hold but we want to make sure that Nags Head stays as it is – a family-oriented and quaint village where people want to come and stay and visit and live accordingly, and also do business here,” said Jeff Pavlak.

“I want to thank everybody for all their efforts and I also thought that the way the whole process worked – the compromise and all – was really, really good. I was very impressed with the professionalism and the effort of everybody involved,” he added.

Many residents echoed his sentiments on the efficiency of the process. Others made some requests.

Shelly Blackstone requested that the mature trees on the 4.7-acre lot be preserved if possible to protect against flooding. Kitty Hawk Kites owner John Harris made three recommendations for the new Historic Character Commercial district: that the allowable square footage of commercial buildings along Hwy 12 be increased from 4,200 square feet to 5,000 square feet to be equitable with residential lots; that the C-5 district be extended to other historic areas, specifically Whalebone Junction; and that the town allow accessory dwelling units in the district to help with the need for housing.

The owner of a lot slated for R-3, the location of the former Beachcomber Museum, requested a C-5 designation. Commissioners approved the zoning map amendment with the additional change.

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