Commissioners approve zoning text amendment, planning board appointment, sidewalk work and land-use update; other items cleared

The Town of Ocean Isle Beach Board of Commissioners approved several routine and policy items during the meeting and took votes on planning and capital projects.

Planning text amendment: The board approved a text amendment to Article 2, Section 66-44 allowing enlargement or expansion of nonconforming single-family residential structures provided any enlargement meets current ordinances and setbacks. Staff said the Planning Board recommended approval and found the amendment consistent with the town’s CAMA land-use plan. A motion to approve carried with a recorded voice vote; the transcript did not provide a roll-call tally.

Board of Adjustment alternate appointment: The board considered four applicants for an alternate seat on the Board of Adjustment and appointed Polly Bristo (application submitted first, as noted in the discussion) to the alternate position after discussion of applicant experience. Commissioners questioned whether order of application submission should be a deciding factor; some emphasized construction and technical experience as desirable for this quasi-judicial body. The motion to appoint carried.

Sidewalk extension (East End): The board awarded the sidewalk extension contract to Graham Construction, the low bidder, and directed staff and the town engineer to require documentation for any utility pedestal relocation costs as change orders. The contract was awarded with staff noting the bid of $247,000 and that the project had been budgeted from the accommodations fund. Staff estimated final completion in April (a one-month shift from an earlier schedule) and said property owners had been notified.

CAMA Land Use Plan update: The board approved a contract with Inspire Placemaking Collective to update the town’s CAMA Land Use Plan; the contract amount presented was $72,500, lower than a prior estimate of $79,000. Staff said the update is periodic and required; the Planning Board had earlier recommended seeking proposals.

Events and minor approvals: The board approved group activity permits and associated fee waivers for two community events: the Ocean Isle Property Owners Association Trash Bash (Sept. 20, 2025, fee waiver requested) and the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation Family Day (April 19, 2025). Staff required indemnity agreements and proof of liability insurance naming the town as an additional insured prior to the events.

Executive session: The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to approve prior meeting minutes and to consult with legal counsel and consider qualifications and competence for public officers or employees.

Votes at a glance

- Zoning text amendment (Article 2, Sec. 66-44): Motion to approve; outcome: approved; mover/second: motion and second recorded; vote tally: not specified in transcript.

- Board of Adjustment alternate appointment (Polly Bristo): Motion to appoint; outcome: approved; mover/second: motion and second recorded; vote tally: not specified in transcript.

- Sidewalk extension (Graham Construction): Motion to award contract (low bidder); outcome: approved; budget source: accommodations fund; bid amount cited $247,000; vote tally: not specified in transcript.

- CAMA Land Use Plan update (Inspire Placemaking Collective): Motion to accept contract terms ($72,500); outcome: approved; vote tally: not specified in transcript.

- Group activity approvals: Trash Bash (Sept. 20, 2025) and Family Day (April 19, 2025); motions to approve and waive fees for nonprofit applicants; outcomes: approved.

The transcript contains commissioners’ discussion of criteria and process for appointments and of planning consistency; formal roll-call tallies for those votes were not recorded in the meeting transcript excerpt provided.