State Legislators Enact New Zoning Prohibition - Sweeping Impacts to Nags Head's Zoning Abilities Expected

State legislators have enacted a new zoning prohibition, cutting off a significant tool we use to direct business and residential growth and adapt to future development. The provision, the last one in a 131-page omnibus bill, prohibits local governments from enacting “down-zoning” changes without first obtaining the written consent of all property owners in the new zone. Along with the new prohibition, legislators expanded a pre-existing definition of “down-zoning” to include commercial and industrial non-conformities that result from any new zoning. Due to the breadth of the provision, numerous rezoning efforts currently in progress will likely halt, as well as future rezoning efforts.

The bill has been vetoed by Governor Cooper, and the Senate has already voted to override that veto. The bill won't become law until another veto override vote passes the House, which has the bill on the calendar for December 10. 

Please contact your North Carolina House of Representatives members ASAP to comment on this bill. The Nags Head member, Representative Keith Kidwell, can be contacted at Keith.Kidwell@ncleg.gov.

Read the bill language concerning the new prohibitions, on the last page, 131.  

The Dare County Tax Department has announced that the countywide 2025 Dare County property revaluation will become effective on January 1, 2025. By North Carolina law, revaluation is required to be completed at least once every eight years. Dare County is currently on a five-year revaluation schedule, with the last revaluation implemented in January 2020. 

Revaluation is the process of updating property values for all real estate in Dare County—including residential and commercial improved properties, as well as vacant land—to reflect their current market value, which is the most probable price a particular property would bring at sale in an open and competitive market.

Over time, property values can change due to market conditions, development or other economic factors. Revaluation ensures that assessments reflect these changes so that taxes are based on the current market value of properties. Since property values do not fluctuate uniformly, regularly scheduled revaluations are essential to ensure that the assessed values reflect current market conditions, preventing disproportionate tax burdens on property owners. 

Learn more on the Dare County website.

As you put up your Christmas tree, please follow these tips to keep your holidays fire-safe:

1. More than 1 in every 5 Christmas tree fires were caused by a heat source too close to the tree.
2. Read the manufacturer's instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
3. Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, and space heaters. 

Learn more.

As a result of Tropical Storm Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened a grant opportunity for Dare County homeowners to elevate their houses above base flood elevation through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to local and state governments so they can develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in a manner that reduces future disaster losses within their communities. This funding—which only becomes available after a presidentially declared disaster occurs—allows structures to be elevated above the known flood level, preventing or reducing the risk of future flood losses.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible properties include houses below base flood elevation, and located in Special Flood Hazard Areas or on a repetitive loss list. FEMA considers a property to be a repetitive loss if it has had two or more flood insurance claims of over $1,000 paid by the National Flood Insurance Program in any 10-year period since 1978. For more information about flood zones in Nags Head, or anywhere else in Dare County, please click here. All property owners who meet these criteria are eligible; however, due to the limited funding available, Dare County will prioritize primary residence homeowner applications.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program covers 100 percent of elevation costs. Applicants should be aware that the typical timeline from submitting an application to receiving the award is approximately 3-5 years, and home elevation cannot occur until after the grant has been awarded. Once awarded, the state will select a qualified contractor to elevate the home, a process that takes approximately 60-90 days to complete for each property.

Visit the Dare County website for more information. 

At their December 4 meeting, Nags Head's Board of Commissioners celebrated the contributions of three individuals who have left an indelible mark on our community.

Kevin Brinkley was honored for his service on the Board of Commissioners. He recently stepped down after relocating outside the town’s jurisdiction, as required by North Carolina law. Prior to becoming an elected official, Kevin served Nags Head in its police department, retiring as police chief in 2018. 

The Board also recognized Ocean Rescue Captain Chad Motz. Over the past 20 years, Chad’s leadership has been instrumental in improving beach and ocean safety for our community. This past year, Chad led an initiative to update Nags Head's beach warning flag system, improving its effectiveness by aligning it with international and national standards. This change ensures greater consistency with other beach communities.

The December 4 meeting also included a farewell to Code Enforcement Officer Ed Snyder. After originally retiring in 2022 following more than five years of service, Ed returned part-time to assist with code compliance. His passion for our community soon brought him back full-time, where he continued to embody fairness, respect, and integrity in his role.

Ed officially retired (again!) on November 30, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and equitable service. 

Kevin, Chad, and Ed stand alongside, from left, Commissioner Bob Sanders, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Siers, Mayor Ben Cahoon, and Commissioner Megan Lambert.

Our Board is accepting applications to fill a vacant seat following the resignation of Commissioner Kevin Brinkley on October 2. Brinkley stepped down after moving outside of the town's jurisdiction, as required by North Carolina law.

Qualified Nags Head residents are encouraged to apply for the interim position.

Application Deadline: Friday, December 20, 2024, by 12 p.m.

How to Apply:

Apply online: https://www.nagsheadnc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=973

Paper applications available upon request by calling 252-441-5508

The appointee will serve until the municipal election in November 2025, and their term will conclude in December 2025. The elected Board member will then finish out the remaining two years of Commissioner Brinkley’s term.

For more info, visit our website or contact Town Hall at 252-441-5508. 

Our recycling "naughty & nice list" is back! Be sure to check it twice before throwing holiday items into the recycling bin.

For a reference guide on what can and cannot go into our recycling containers, click here. 

Happy Holidays, and thank you for recycling right!

If you don't have time to haul your recyclables to the recycling centers we have at Town Hall (5401 South Croatan Highway) and our Public Services facility (2203 Lark Avenue), be sure to subscribe to the curbside recycling collection service offered by TFC Recycling. The cost is only $13.35/month.