Traveling and thinking about books and things

The Currituck County Board of Commissioners on July 6 approved a text amendment tightening phasing rules for major subdivisions and requiring perimeter Type B landscape buffers adjacent to existing residential development; the change imposes recording limits and a 65% building-permit threshold for subsequent phases.

The board approved PB26‑04, a UDO text amendment creating a standalone 'pool contractor' use and allowing expanded outdoor storage (up to 50% of a lot's buildable area) in specified districts, but required a Type D vegetative buffer and screening as a condition of approval.

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Bullock presented a rapid‑response audit to the Currituck County Board showing more than $61 million spent on the proposed Mid Currituck Bridge with no construction; the report cites rising cost estimates, falling traffic projections and an estimated ~$700 million funding shortfall, and urges state leadership to decide whether to proceed.

At its April 6 session the Currituck County Board of Commissioners approved a UDO text amendment easing permitting for county convenience centers, passed a second reading to amend garbage‑storage rules, authorized electronic advertisement for certain notices, adopted a resolution urging ARPO to maintain committed funding for the Mid‑Currituck Bridge, awarded a pump‑station contract, approved board appointments and consent items, and approved tourism and water‑district budget amendments.

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The board approved an offer to buy five off‑road parcels owned by Kova Sands LLC and West Beach Properties LLC (appraised at $5.6 million), extended the due‑diligence period to Aug. 31, and the Tourism Development Authority approved using $1.68 million in occupancy‑tax funds toward the purchase.

The Currituck County Board of Commissioners approved a sketch‑plan amendment and special‑use permit for Corolla Light Phase 10 that shifts about 0.44 acres of open space and adds three small cottage units (one new unit requested plus two previously approved units). Staff and expert testimony supported findings that the change meets UDO standards and will not exceed school capacity.

The commissioners approved a Tourism Development Authority amendment to move $3.5 million in occupancy‑tax funds to build two new ballfields and related amenities at Community Park and awarded the construction contract for phase three to AR Chessen Construction Company as the low bidder.

Currituck commissioners approved a resolution directing opioid‑settlement funds toward prevention, treatment and re‑entry strategies. Staff and partners described Narcan distribution, a new detention‑center reentry program and the county’s fledgling recovery court, and the board approved the proposed spending with a technical edit to Strategy 1.

The Currituck County Board of Commissioners adopted the FY2026–27 operating, tourism and Ocean Sands district budgets and approved a two-cent reduction in the property tax rate, while urging residents to contact state legislators about a bill that could restrict the county’s use of occupancy tax funding.

The Currituck County Planning Board voted May 12, 2026 to recommend a text amendment (PB26‑06) to allow tattoo parlors and body‑piercing establishments in the General Business (GB) district by special‑use permit, with conditions including hours limits, signage restrictions, a 10‑mile spacing rule in GB, and a prohibition in Corolla. The advisory recommendation goes to the Board of Commissioners for final action.

The Currituck County Board adopted a resolution opposing proposed changes that would limit counties' property tax authority and approved a second resolution supporting regional efforts to reform the state Department of Commerce tier system; both motions carried with one opposing vote.

The Currituck County Board of Commissioners voted to deny PB 25-20, a developer-backed conditional rezoning for Shortcut Farms that would have rezoned 51.7 acres for 33 residential lots and 7.23 acres of commercial use, citing conflicts with the county vision plan, small-area employment designation and airport overlay concerns.

County manager briefed commissioners on an authorization request to begin construction of high-rate infiltration basins at the Moyock Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, presenting a not-to-exceed $8.5 million figure and an estimated basin completion date in October; final funding decisions remain pending.

Commissioners discuss agenda and ethics while public comments remain unaddressed.

Currituck County agrees to take in three stray dogs weekly from Pasquotank County.

Public hearing addresses Tulls Creek Road conditions and proposed amendments to subdivision regulations.

Corolla Fire Department celebrates $40K raffle and Wave School hosts grand opening.