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Southern Shores Town Council members approved several planning documents at their July meeting that outline goals and standards for the town.

The first was an amendment to town code regarding commercial design standards. Council members discussed this in depth at their June meeting, and returned to approve the changes July 2.

The purpose of the standards is to enhance the town’s appearance in the general commercial district. There are currently no commercial design standards. The changes include 11 requirements or suggestions for new construction or substantial improvements including visibility of dumpsters, fence materials, window area and awnings.

There were three items that Mayor Pro Tem Matt Neal wanted removed before approval. He stated that these more subjective items belonged in a small area plan document so they could be discussed and decided upon by the community. The first was the requirement that exterior paint colors be subtle, neutral and earth tone colors.

The next two, Neal said, didn’t add anything helpful because of the vague language: “Architectural embellishments with a coastal design that add visual interest are encouraged” and “Low impact development techniques utilized to mitigate potential stormwater impacts are encouraged.”

Council member Paula Sherlock disagreed, stating that the items still communicate the community’s design desires. “I think we need something even if we have to refine it later,” she said.

Neal made a motion to approve the document with the three items removed, but the motion failed to reach majority, with only council member Marc Batenic agreeing. A new motion was made to approve the document as is, with one minor change. It passed 3-2.

The council then heard a presentation about the CAMA Land Use Plan; a document that is required by the NC General Legislature and has been in revision since 2022.

The land use plan is a policy document used for vision and planning. Adopting the land use plan does not automatically update a town’s zoning ordinances. “It’s a community conversation you don’t get to have very often,” said Andrea Radford, community planning team lead from Stewart, Inc., who joined council on a video call. The town conducted a survey and had several community meetings and stakeholder meetings to help create the document.

The Community Vision Statement is as follows: “The Town of Southern Shores is a quiet Coastal Community with low density single family homes interspersed with passive and recreational facilities, navigable waterways, forests, and open space. The town’s identity is intimately tied to its natural resources, history, and residential nature. We strive to protect Southern Shores’ environment, enhance the small commercial district located on the southern edge of town, and preserve the town’s unique qualities by maintaining the existing community appearance and form.”

According to state law, the plan must include sections on public access, land use compatibility, infrastructure carrying capacity, natural hazards, and water quality. Radford went over these areas and provided some recommendations.

Among the recommendations, she encouraged the town to pursue town-owned water accesses when opportunities arise, as all current beach and sound accesses are privately owned.

Radford also recommended that the town pursue opportunities to expand civic space and pedestrian connectivity, continue beach nourishment, and maintain the aesthetic quality of the town-owned canal system, which would include dredging and removing overhanging vegetation.

Council members approved the comprehensive land use plan, and then approved text amendments to town code to make it easier for property owners or contractors to show proof of elevation for X and shaded X flood zone properties.

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