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The Kitty Hawk Town Council received a presentation from College of The Albemarle (COA) president Dr. Jack Bagwell and dean Tim Sweeney at its March council meeting, highlighting the institution’s remarkable growth and achievements. The presentation included two videos showcasing the Dare campus’s curriculum and workforce development programs.

According to Bagwell, COA has experienced a 14% increase in enrollment from fall 2023 to fall 2024, largely attributed to the Dare Guarantee scholarship program. This initiative provides free education to Dare County residents and recently graduated high school students, promoting workforce development and curriculum advancement. The Dare Guarantee program has been instrumental in addressing the region’s workforce needs, offering students the opportunity to pursue various programs, including manufacturing, aviation and, soon, nursing. Bagwell emphasized that the program is not limited to the Dare Campus, allowing students to access resources and programs across COA’s campuses.

In response to a question from Mayor Craig Garriss, Bagwell stated that there are currently no plans to establish dorm rooms for students who are not within driving distance. However, COA is exploring potential partnerships with organizations like the Coastal Studies Institute to address the housing need.

The presentation also highlighted COA’s impressive growth statistics, with the institution ranking as the third-fastest growing community college in North Carolina among 57 others. Dr. Bagwell attributed this success to the proactive nature of Dare County, community partnerships and the Dare Guarantee program. “I think it is the proactive nature of Dare County, the folks down here looking for programs, the partnerships that we have with the community and builder associations, etc., that allows us to grow that in Dare County.”

In other business, the council addressed a proposed text amendment aimed at protecting live oak trees in Kitty Hawk. The amendment has sparked debate, with some residents expressing concerns about potential infringement on property rights, and others in favor of protecting historic trees within the community.

Duke Geraghty of the Outer Banks Home Builders Association argued that the amendment is unnecessary, citing state statutes that require permission from the General Assembly to install such ordinances. “We need to simplify things instead of making it harder.” Resident MaryJo Bush countered that preserving live oak trees is essential for maintaining the town’s character and wind control, as stated in the town’s land use plan.

The council ultimately decided to table consideration of the amendment until a future meeting, when legal counsel would be more readily available. Town attorney Casey Varnell suggested that regulating tree removal may be defensible, but recommended reviewing the relevant state statutes to ensure compliance. “I would say regulating what someone can and cannot remove as far as what mother nature put there from their lot is attackable, certainly.”

Councilman David Hines expressed concerns about the amendment’s potential impact on property rights. Councilman Dylan Tillett suggested creating a database of recognizable historic trees, and councilman Jeff Pruitt suggested exploring options for preserving them through trusts or other means. The council members encouraged applicant Ron Tumolo to continue working towards the preservation of live oak trees while considering property right infringement.

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