Hold it: Group opposes restrooms at Corolla beach

CURRITUCK COUNTY, N.C.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse owners have taken on an old adversary by opposing Currituck County's plans to build public restrooms at a nearby ocean access.

In 2006, Currituck County and the Outer Banks Conservationists settled a five-year dispute over the historic beacon that drew national attention, reached top levels of the federal government, and cost thousands of dollars in legal fees.

This time, state highway and wildlife agencies could get involved.

Currituck County plans to build public restrooms along Corolla Village Road on the ocean side of N.C. 12 in Corolla. The road serves as a beach access for hundreds of tourists each year.

Locals have complained that many visitors relieve themselves behind the dunes or in the bushes around nearby beach homes.

Families with children on the beach would have to cross busy N.C. 12 to get to existing restrooms more than a quarter-mile away, said Currituck Commissioner Paul O'Neal.

"They're not going to do that," he said. "Don't the people of Currituck County deserve a nice beach access with restrooms and a shower facility?"

But John Wilson, founder of Outer Banks Conservationists, opposes the project. The land there has been protected and was intended to be left undisturbed, he said in a January letter to group members.

Wilson could not be reached for comment at the group's offices in Manteo. A person who answered the phone would not comment. Wilson's home number is not listed.

Currituck has tried to build restrooms there before and been denied, Wilson said in the letter. "But once again they seem intent on destroying the historical integrity of the light station."

The North Carolina Department of Transportation owns the right-of-way area along Corolla Village Road that also runs past the lighthouse on the west side of N.C. 12.

Beyond the right of way, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission owns a narrow strip that runs from the ocean to the sound on both sides of N.C. 12.

Currituck has asked the commission for permission to build restrooms there.

The Wildlife Resources Commission has approved the restrooms in concept, but the project still needs review by other boards, including the North Carolina Historical Commission, said Gordon Myers, executive director of the wildlife commission.

A decision is expected within two months, he said.

From 2001 to 2006, Currituck County spent nearly $100,000 in legal fees battling Outer Banks Conservationists over ownership of the lighthouse and in later attempts to enforce local restroom and parking ordinances.

After the federal government awarded the Outer Banks group the lighthouse, the county sued the nonprofit and the state to require adequate parking, restrooms and a permit to run a gift shop.

Existing restrooms sit not far from the lighthouse but are county-owned. A judge ruled the federal government still had a strong interest in the lighthouse and said the county could not enforce the local ordinances.

In 2006, the two sides reached a settlement in which the county would get 17 percent of the annual proceeds from lighthouse tickets to go toward maintaining parking and restrooms.

The lighthouse and the nearby county-owned Whalehead Club historic site are part of Currituck Heritage Park.

Outer Banks Conservationists opened the 135-year-old lighthouse for tours in 1991 after years of raising money and getting grants to clean up the complex, which includes renovated keepers quarters.

About 85,000 people climb the beacon each year.

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