Outer Banks Towns Report
By Kip Tabb –
Manteo Courthouse with belfry. Image from Manteo Preservation Trust page.
A new year and there’s already a lot happening in the towns and villages of the Outer Banks.
Up in Corolla, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners approved plans for a 10 bedroom inn on the north end of the village of Corolla.
Beach nourishment continues to dominate the news in Dare County towns. In Duck town expenditures are expected to rise almost 13% and much of that is to pay for the initial work for an erosion mitigation project and increased dune management project.
An additional $275,000 is being allocated to complete the soundside boardwalk to Aqua Restaraunt and Spa.
Although no plans are on the books for beach nourishment in Southern Shores, the town is taking the legal steps that would be necessary if they decide to go forward with a nourishment program in the future.
Kill Devil Hills is estimating the municipal tax rate will rise 10% to pay for shoreline mitigation. There may be additional taxes assessed on beach front properties. These rates apply to municipal taxes only. County taxes may also be adjusted to cover nourishment projects.
Kitty Hawk has given a preliminary approval for Codwell Banker’s West Village west village project–a 22 acre subdivision across from the Austin Cemetery.
It looks like the Ark Church in Nags Head is going to rise from the ashes, which may be a bad joke. The severely damaged church has submitted a multi-stage plan to town commissioners to rebuild the property. Commissioners seemed particularly excited to have the skating rink back in operation.
Damaged in a 1933 hurricane, the belfry tower on the old Dare County Courthouse was removed. With funding from the Manteo Preservation Trust, the Dare County Arts Council is going to replace the tower. At their January 6 meeting, the County Commissioners gave their approval to the project. The Courthouse is still owned by the county, with the DCAC holding the lease.
