Sign ordinance is a priority for new chairman

CURRITUCK COUNTY

Veteran commissioner Paul O'Neal, elected chairman of the Currituck County Board of Commissioners last week, enters his fifth stint at the helm with goals that include taking on a controversial sign ordinance.

First elected to the board in 1994, O'Neal was defeated for the first time in 2006 before running and winning again in 2008.

Elected by fellow board members, he served as chairman of the board four times during his first 12 years in office. Typically, chairs serve two years.

Vance Aydlett was elected vice chairman.

O'Neal plans to take on the county sign ordinance, one of the most controversial.

"Nobody can expect to stay in business if people can't locate them," O'Neal said Thursday.

In a November online survey of 500 businesses in Currituck County, responders were asked to rank from 1 to 5 what action the county could best take to help business.

Allowing larger signs was ranked No. 1, higher than any of the other 12 actions listed.

But some residents, especially those in Corolla, have complained that the large size and sheer number of signs clutter the roadside and hurt tourism.

Over the years, county sign ordinances have been written and amended after public meetings in a search for compromise between business owners and residents.

Among O'Neal's other goals:

• Start building a recreation center to be run by the YMCA near the new cooperative extension center in Maple.

•  Begin constructing public sewer facilities in Moyock.

• Complete the commercial park near the county airport, also in Maple.

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