Friday, December 1, 2023
By Rob Morris on December 1, 2015
Resident Andy Ward speaks at Tuesday’s meeting. (Rob Morris)
After meeting privately with its attorney for about an hour, the Southern Shores Town Council decided Tuesday night to look at possible changes to its zoning ordinance to limit the size of new houses.
A new state law prohibits the town from continuing to enforce its current limit of seven bedrooms. The issue took on more urgency as word got out of a planned 16-bedroom “event” house on the oceanfront.
Saga Construction has applied for a Coastal Area Management Act permit, and according to Town Manager Peter Rascoe, the house would appear to meet most if not all of Southern Shores’ ordinances with the exception of the now-defunct seven-bedroom maximimum.
One limiting factor, however, may be the town’s occupancy limit of 14 people or septic capacity for the same number. It’s also possible that covenants under the Southern Shores Civic Association could address the issue.
Town Attorney Ben Gallop said the new state law restricting municipal control over the look and size of houses specifically excludes homeowners associations and civic associations.
After the closed session, Gallop said that if the Saga project is submitted for a building permit, the town’s ordinances would be applied the same as they would for any other plans.
Meanwhile, the council voted to direct Gallop, Rascoe and Town Planner Wes Haskett to develop possible amendments to address large houses. Earlier, council members urged citizens to contact legislators to reconsider the legislation.
The swearing in of three new council members and the construction issue drew a full house for the Tuesday night meeting. But only four people spoke specifically about the disputed project during public comments.
Ike Sherlock, whose home is at 66 Ocean Blvd. next door, said that the planned house would not live up to the town’s land-use plan, which specifies a low-density, family-oriented residential community.
“It is an event venue, a mini-hotel and a commercial venture,” he said.
In an e-mail to town officials, his wife, Paula Sherlock, said the plans call for a ballroom and a large party deck.
Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills have both looked at the issue. Nags Head plans to limit square footage, which would limit the number of bedrooms. Kill Devil Hills has taken no action.
Recent construction has trended toward large “celebration” houses aimed at the growing market for weddings on the Outer Banks.
Besides size, safety has become a concern because the houses are considered single-family residential construction, not commercial property, and do not need sprinkler systems.
Go to comments
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID:
Barnhill Contracting Company will receive sealed proposals for Manns Harbor – EMS/Fire Facility (EMS-8), Kitty Hawk – EMS/Fire Facility (EMS-9), Manteo – Youth Center on January 09, 2024. Times to be given on via addendum #01. See the following SCOPE OF WORK: BP 100 – General Trades, BP 105 – Final Cleaning, BP 205 – Demolition, BP 390 – Turnkey Concrete, BP 400 – Turnkey Masonry, BP 500 – Turnkey Structural Steel & Misc. Steel, BP 505 – Light Gauge Metal Trusses, BP 740 – Roofing, BP750 – Siding, BP 790 – Caulking/Sealants, BP 800 – Turnkey Doors/Frames/Hardware/Toilet Specialties/Accessories/Division 10, BP 840 – Curtainwall/Storefront/Glass/Glazing, BP 925 – Drywall/Framing, BP 960 – Resilient Flooring/Carpet/Base/Epoxy, BP 980 – Acoustical Ceilings, BP 990 – Painting and Wall Coverings, BP 1230 – Finish Carpentry and Casework, BP 1250 – Window Treatments, BP 2100 – Fire Protection, BP 2200 – Plumbing, BP 2300 – HVAC, BP 2600 – Electrical, BP 3100 – Earthwork/Turnkey Site, BP 3213- Site Concrete, BP 3290 – Landscaping. Scopes of work may be added and/or deleted at the discretion of the Construction Manager.
Bid Location and Time: Bid opening will be held in the Barnhill Contracting Rocky Mount Training & GPS Technology Room: 800 Tiffany Bvld, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Time is as follows: January 09, 2024 at 10:00am and 2:00pm. Times per packages to be given on via addendum #01.
Barnhill Contracting Company will receive, open, and read publicly all bids received in person in the Training & GPS Technology Room at the main office and listed with the virtual viewing at the link to be posted on Barnhill’s Plan Room.
Bids will not be accepted from bidders that are not pre-qualified. No facsimile or email submissions are permitted. Sealed bids are to be hand delivered to the bid opening location noted above or mailed Sealed Bids can be delivered before 9:00am the day of the bid to the Barnhill Contracting Company Office at 800 Tiffany Blvd., Suite 200 Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Attention “Clint Hardison.”
The pre-bid meeting will be held in Person & Zoom Meeting on December 06, 2023 at 10:00 am at the Barnhill Contracting’s Rocky Mount Main Conference Room: 800 Tiffany Bvld, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
The pre-bid meeting link can be located on Barnhill’s online Building Division Plan Room ( https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/54da832ce3edb5050017438b) and below. A preferred brand alternates meeting will be held via the same link at the end of the Prebid meeting.
Bid Documents can be viewed or downloaded through Barnhill’s online Building Division Plan Room (https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/54da832ce3edb5050017438b) after 12/04/2023.
All Bidders are strongly encouraged to include opportunities for HUB participation wherever possible in their respective Bid submission. HUB participation is a part of this contract and must comply with all requirements set forth in the Bid Documents.
The Construction Manager and Owner reserve the right to add pre-qualified bidders. The Construction Manager and Owner reserve the right to reject any and all bids. Should you require additional direction, please call Barnhill Contracting Company, (Clint Hardison – 252-802-0740).
Clint Hardison is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Dare EMS – Phase 2 Pre-Bid Conference
Time: Dec 6, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://barnhillcontracting.zoom.us/j/82390692985
Meeting ID: 823 9069 2985
—
One tap mobile
+17866351003,,82390692985# US (Miami)
+13126266799,,82390692985# US (Chicago)
—
Dial by your location
Meeting ID: 823 9069 2985
Find your local number: https://barnhillcontracting.zoom.us/u/kbYOel03V
—
Join by SIP
—
Join by H.323
Meeting ID: 823 9069 2985
