Emily Beasley

The meeting included a Work Session focused primarily on amending the Noise Ordinance, specifically addressing concerns about amplified sound permits in residential areas, particularly Corolla, and the impact on local weddings. The County Attorney was directed to draft language for future consideration. Commissioners also addressed utility easements for historic drainageways, setting setbacks at 25' for residential subdivisions and 50' for working farmland. During staff reports review, changes were requested for planning staff reports, including removing the 'Recommendation' section and instead including 'ordinance compliance' and staff concerns. They also directed Planning staff to update Adequate Public Facilities ordinance data (ADM and committed capacity) quarterly instead of twice yearly. The Regular Meeting included the approval of an amended agenda, with the Noise Ordinance amendment withdrawn for May 17, 2021. Key actions included the unanimous approval of resolutions opposing NC Senate Bill 455 (Decriminalize Non-Statutory Criminal Offenses) and NC Senate Bill 349/House Bill 401 (Increase Housing Opportunities). The Board also approved engineering design proposals for the Moyock Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Moyock Elementary School Renovation and Addition project. The Consent Agenda involved multiple budget amendments and the adoption of Capital Project Ordinances for the Moyock Sewer Upgrades and Expansion and the Moyock Elementary School Expansion-Design. Finally, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing the design-build construction delivery method for the Fuel Farm Renovation Project and proclaimed May 2021 as Older Americans Month.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and pledge of allegiance, followed by the county attorney's reminder regarding ethics and conflict of interest for commissioners. The agenda was amended to remove consideration of an award recommendation for Curate Community Park phase three ball fields and associated budget amendments. Public comments focused heavily on opposition to rezoning in general, citing concerns over adequate facilities like accredited teachers, and questioning the political nature of rezoning decisions. The legislative hearing focused on PB25-20, a request for conditional rezoning of 51.7 acres from agriculture to conditional single-family mainland and conditional general business for a 33-lot conservation subdivision and commercial development near Shortcut Road. Discussions detailed how the property falls within the airport overlay district and reviewed compliance with various land use plans concerning density restrictions, conservation areas, and permitted commercial uses. The applicant revised proposed conditions to exclude most non-neighborhood-serving commercial uses, though they retained the ability to pursue uses such as shopping centers, hotels/motels, and offices.

The meeting agenda included a call to order, approval of the agenda, and public comment limited to matters not on the published agenda. Key discussions involved a Public Hearing (PB 19-17 Baxter Station, a request for Planned Development - Residential zoning for a 127-unit subdivision with an onsite wastewater treatment plant, which staff and committees recommended for denial due to incompatibility, connectivity index scores, and adequate public facilities concerns). New Business included discussions regarding travel restrictions and coordination with Dare County for reopening the Outer Banks, and consideration of constructing a Fire Training Facility in Corolla. The Consent Agenda covered approval of the April 20, 2020 minutes, budget amendments, a Project Ordinance for Hurricane Dorian debris removal, FEMA designation of Applicant's Agent for Covid-19, a proclamation for Older Americans Month, and the Grandy Convenience Site Lease Agreement. The session concluded with a Closed Session to consult with the County Attorney regarding ongoing litigation.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance. The agenda was approved after adding two items: junior board member participation under public comments and a capital outlay project to the consent agenda. During public comment, a representative highlighted accomplishments during CTE Month, noting that Curry County CTE students earned 1,161 industry-recognized credentials during the 2024-2025 school year. The junior board member provided an extensive report on student and staff perceptions regarding AP, COA dual enrollment, and NCVPS classes. Key findings included a limited understanding of the benefits and sign-up processes for AP versus COA, a preference for COA due to flexibility, and concerns about the rigor, credit transfer implications, and decreasing AP course offerings due to teacher shortages. Suggestions included increased AP promotion, providing study sessions during lunch, creating AP/COA comparison sheets, restoring year-long AP courses, and building a unified counselor-teacher communication plan. Board members acknowledged the detailed information and expressed agreement on the need to address communication inconsistencies and support for AP courses.

The meeting commenced with a Work Session dedicated to Substantial Damage and Disaster Assessment, featuring presentations on NFIP guidelines and disaster-related assessment procedures. The subsequent regular session involved the approval of the agenda, which notably removed a public hearing item (PB 16-14) and added a Closed Session. Public hearings addressed the Unified Development Ordinance Housekeeping 2016 (PB 16-10), which was subsequently approved, clarifying regulations on Planning Board appointments, mining operations, parking at flea markets, and utility installation. Old Business included a report on the process for removing historic landmark status. New Business covered consideration of an ordinance amending regulations regarding the discharge of firearms and civil citations, which was approved as written, as well as board appointments. The Consent Agenda included approvals for budget amendments, a change order decreasing the contract price for the Corolla Greenway Phase III project, and the termination of the Voluntary Removal of Dilapidated Structures program. Commissioner reports included lobbying for increased Highway Patrol staffing and updates on local events and park repairs. A Special Meeting was held as the Tourism Development Authority to review departmental reports, milestones, and approve budget amendments related to tourism expenditures. The regular meeting concluded with a Closed Session to consult with the County Attorney regarding a claim and the pending lawsuit Price Solar, LLC v. Currituck County.