Resort-or-rural debate returning as election issue in Currituck County

HARBINGER

Whether the southern mainland of Currituck County should take on more of a resort look or remain rural has re-emerged as a debate that could become a factor in the fall elections.

On Thursday, county officials met at the Kilmarlic Club in Harbinger to gather opinions on the question from an unexpectedly large crowd of 110.

Less than two hours later, the 91 people remaining voted with dots on paper posted on an easel at the front of the room. It was almost a split decision, 46 for rural and 45 for urban.

The question could be left up to those who win seats on the Board of Commissioners in the fall.

A 226-acre parcel of Currituck County farmland set to become a waterfront resort has already shown the political divide the question has created.

Plans to offer retail shops, more than 300 homes and condominiums and a waterfront hotel on the 226 acres owned by Shirley Webber sparked a debate over the county's land-use plan three years ago.

The 252-page document calls for limited development in Jarvisburg, where Webber's property is located.

Former Commissioner Paul O'Neal was on the board during more than two years of public meetings and a phone survey before the land-use plan was completed.

In 2005, when Webber requested rezoning, O'Neal and the board declined, based in part on the land-use plan.

Several landowners opposed the decision and organized an effort to oust O'Neal. He lost the November 2006 election to current board Chairman Barry Nelms.

In 2007, Webber requested rezoning again and got it.

Nelms and O'Neal have been critical of each other on zoning decisions. Both were at Thursday's hearing.

From January through November 2006, while O'Neal was chairman, eight properties south of Grandy were rezoned from agriculture, totaling 234 acres.

In 2007, while Nelms headed the board, 10 parcels south of Grandy were rezoned from agriculture to either residential, commercial or business, totaling 875 acres.

Already in 2008, 12 properties have been rezoned south of Grandy for a total of 334 acres.

O'Neal, a Republican, is running again in the fall, this time for the at-large seat. His opponent is Democrat Stanley Griggs, who supports full-service development.

In the May primary, veteran politician and local landowner Jerry Wright supported low-density development in Jarvisburg. He narrowly defeated political newcomer Roy Etheridge, who supported full-service development. Wright, a Democrat, faces Republican John Rorer in the fall for the District 2 seat in southern Currituck.

At Thursday's meeting, participants were divided into seven groups and were asked to offer comments recorded on large sheets of paper placed on the wall. In some groups, politics took over.

"I'm seeing this as political opinions flying through the room," Steff Burwell of Moyock said during a break. "Let's get some good out of this meeting. I'm hearing propaganda."

During a group discussion, O'Neal said full-service development could open the way for up to 40,000 homes.

"Can we get back to reality?" Burwell shot back at O'Neal. "I think you're an alarmist."

O'Neal stood by his statement.

"Your taxes are going to go through the roof," he said.

Advantages listed for full-service development included more county services and quicker permitting, more jobs and better health care facilities nearby.

Disadvantages included more traffic, more noise and more crime.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com