South Avenue Contract

We attended this morning's special meeting of the town board concerning the proposed contract to close certain town rights of way (Avenue A and part of South Avenue plus other historic bits and pieces) in return for Chris Fulcher donating a portion of his waterfront property.

This meeting was the first significant opportunity for many members of the public to express their views. I think it's fair to say that most attendees were opposed to the contract in its present form. Those who spoke during the public comment period asked a number of questions about the legality and the advisability of the proposal. Several speakers (I was one) expressed doubt that the town had received competent legal representation.

Several speakers questioned whether the town had a complete picture of what it can build on the site in view of DENR and CAMA regulations. Some questioned whether touted advantages of the deal (an almost-completed pier and two historic structures) were going to be an asset or a liability. There was widespread disbelief that the parcel the town would receive is wide enough. Various speakers wondered whether Mr. Fulcher might block navigation by private boats.

Some speakers had researched restrictions on the existing town right of way for South Avenue and asserted that there are ways to obtain legislative approval to build some of the desired structures.

Several speakers objected to the assertions that "these rights of way are of no value" that supporters of the proposal have made. I offered the view that, "in coastal North Carolina, nothing is more valuable to the public than public access to the water."

After public comments were heard, the board deliberated and by a vote of 4-1 approved proceeding with the contract. (Warren Johnson voted "no").

At an afternoon continuation of the meeting, the board voted 4-0 to hold public hearings on street closures at the regular meeting of July 3.