Upcoming construction protects, tree protection discussed at Nags Head Planning Board meeting

Published 7:25 am Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Judy Stiles

The July 19 Town of Nags Head Planning Board began with a presentation from town engineer David Ryan. Ryan provided an overview of the Epstein Street Bathhouse capital project, located at 5701 S. Virginia Dare Trail. Construction is expected to begin on October 1. The project includes demolition of the existing building, improved ADA access to the bathhouse and beach, modification of the existing septic system and parking lot modification and enhancement. Construction is expected to take six months.

A beach restoration project is taking place near milepost 16 and extends to milepost 21. Oceanfront properties and public beach accesses are not expected to be impacted by the project.

Get the latest headlines sent to you

Deputy planning director Kate Jones provided updates and recommendations on tree protection. Currently, Nags Head code ordinances do not provide guidance for trees damaged or removed during construction. Jones indicated it may be beneficial to consider adding language to address trees that are removed, or damaged, by construction workers.

Jones suggested that working within the current tree ordinances incentives could be added to eliminate or decrease tree removal. She reviewed ideas such as reduced parking setbacks and expanding the window required for tree planting times or providing an optional fee to have the town replant a tree rather than requiring the property owner do the replanting themselves.

The meeting closed following an update on the Residential Energy & Conservation Guide. When finalized, the publication will provide residents with a water and energy conservation guide that offers the home owner information how to save the home owner money and reduce environmental impacts. The document is funded through an American Institute of Architects grant.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.