Lowe's proposed for Outer Banks

KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C.

One of the nation's largest home-improvement retailers submitted plans last week to open its first location on the Outer Banks.

According to site plans, a new Lowe's would be built on about 12.8 acres now inhabited by mostly trees and shrubs along U.S. 158 in Kill Devil Hills.

The plot is one of the largest, if not the largest, parcels of undeveloped land remaining in the town's commercial zone, Kill Devil Hills Planning Director Greg Loy said. "There's not many more opportunities like this," he said.

Site plans show a store footprint of more than 170,000 square feet and a parking lot of 410 spaces.

The property, north of West Landing Drive, fronts the U.S. 158 bypass.

One building, a Coastland Times office, is on the property but would be demolished, according to site plans.

Across Landing Drive from the site is the northernmost tip of land owned by the National Park Service as part of the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

Residential development abuts the property on two sides.

One nearby homeowner, Martha Lee Bell, said she was "horrified" upon learning that the large retailer may be building a store directly across the street from her home on the corner of West Landing Drive and Porthole Court.

"I just cannot believe," she said before trailing off. "And the traffic. My God."

Bell's home is one of more than a dozen along Porthole Court. Most are occupied by permanent residents, she said.

Bell, 75, who has lived in her home for 10 years, said she and other neighbors are worried about the potential for plummeting property values.

Some have already discussed posting a "For Sale" sign in their yard.

"And, of course, nothing's selling," Bell said.

Lowe's spokesman Gerard Littlejohn declined to comment on the plans Thursday. Store policy prohibits employees from speaking publicly about real estate negotiations until a settlement is reached, he said.

In the case of the Kill Devil Hills site, that process has not yet concluded, Littlejohn said.

The plans could be approved as soon as Sept. 13 after meetings of both the town planning board and Board of Commissioners, Loy said.

But that scenario would be the "fast track," he added.

Lowe's submitted its proposal Tuesday, and town staff is now reviewing it. Any concerns will be presented to the planning board, which meets Aug. 17.

In the meantime, the public is welcome to inspect the retailer's site plan at the town municipal building on Colington Road. Residents may also speak at upcoming meetings, Loy said.

The closest Lowe's is in Elizabeth City, about 39 miles away.

Home Depot opened a store in neighboring Kitty Hawk in 2002.

Erin James, (252) 441-1711, erin.james@pilotonline.com