On Nov. 5, Dare’s Board of Commissioners tackled a multi-item agenda.

Three planning matters, information from the state’s ferry division, a couple of easements and new architects for the new animal shelter are a few of the items on the agenda.

A conditional use permit was granted for a group development titled Hatteras Shores. This proposal from SAGA Construction and Development combines two lots to build three 10-bedroom houses across from the Hatteras Village Civic Center.

The proposal drew two comments.

First, John Head addressed the commissioners on behalf of investors and urged approval of the project. He mentioned slow recovery in Hatteras village, particularly on the ocean side.

Next, Danny Ansell, Hatteras, speaking from Buxton, asked the commissioners to “welcome growth in a responsible way in accordance with the Land Use Plan of 2009.” In specifically, mentioned a 50 percent increase in density and building in a VE zone.

The conditional use permit does respond to the concerns of property owners in Hatteras Estates. The subdivision has an easement that runs beside the property in question and goes to the ocean. The developer is required to build a four-foot high fence to mark off the easement.

Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, ownership of the common areas of the development must be conveyed to the homeowners association, said county manager and attorney Robert L. Outten.

The commissioners granted conditional use permit to East Carolina Radio to build a 75-foot tower to serve an AM radio station, which is owned and operated by the applicant. The tower will be located at 2865 NC 345, which is in the Highway 345 zoning district. Telecommunication towers are permitted in the zoning district. The Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration have approved the tower. FAA regulations do not require lights as the tower is below 200 feet.

Jed Dixon, deputy director of the NCDOT Ferry Division, briefed the commissioners on naming of ferries and updated the board on the passenger ferry under construction for the Hatteras-Ocracoke route.

The Ferry Division is proposing to name two new ferries Avon and Salvo, replacing the Kinnakeet in 2019 and the Chicamacomico in 2020/2021. However, the Kinnakeet and the Chicamacomico vessels will remain in operation, so the replacement ferries cannot carry the same name.

The resolution passed by the Dare commissioners approves the division’s names and “strongly urges the Albemarle RPO and the North Carolina Ferry Division to consider naming future replacement ferries the Kinnakeet and Chicamacomico and other Algonquian place names of our region . . .”

A chart in the agenda item for the meeting shows the Cape Point vessel named Kinnakeet and the Frisco vessel named Chicamacomico at a date to be determined.

The board accepted two late applications and approved property tax exemptions from qualified applicants. A property tax homestead circuit breaker was approved for John G. Receveur. A disabled veteran property tax homestead exemption was approved for Brian E. Allworth.

The commissioners approved a one year temporary construction easement near the water tower in Duck. The easement to the town will accommodate the construction of a sidewalk, landscaping and bike lane in the front of the county’s water tower. The easement allows for some minor grading, construction of concrete driveway aprons, and relocation of the front fence line at the water tower.

The commissioners also granted approval for the relocation of a conservation easement near the Duck water tower.

Dare’s commissioners agreed to an exchange of 0.27 acres with Allis Holdings, LLC, the owner of The Waterfront Shoppes in Duck. To ease parking at the Shoppes, the owner proposed buying 0.27 acres of Dare County’s wetlands for $10,000 and donating a conservation easement back to the county.

Dare’s commissioners are building a new animal shelter in Manteo on land between the Dare County airport and the Emergency Operations Center. County manager Outten told the board that the interview committee recommended negotiating a contract with the firm of Waller, Todd and Sadler to perform architectural and design services for the new shelter. The board approved the recommendation.

James E. Cofield Jr. from Duck is a member of the North Carolina Complete Count Commission. The commission’s mission is to create awareness about the 2020 Census. Cofield presented information about the Census and the importance of counting every resident.

County manager Outten asked for and was granted a budget amendment of $136,400, which is one-quarter of the total project cost associated with dredging Hatteras Inlet before the Dec. 31.

The commissioners recognized Gray’s Department Store for 70 years of outstanding service to the community.

At the conclusion of the regular meeting, the commissioners held a closed door meeting to consult with an attorney in the matter of Dare County v. PCL Civil Constructors Inc. and to consider a personnel matter. County attorney Outten reported that the board took no action in the closed session.

The next Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m.