Currituck County commissioners approve beach-parking change, two demolitions and appointments

The Currituck County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 9 voted on several routine but consequential items, approving an ordinance shortening the beach-parking user-permit period, authorizing demolition of two uninhabitable dwellings and confirming board appointments.

The board reconsidered a beach-parking ordinance that required a unanimous first reading and failed to secure unanimity at an earlier meeting. As the presiding official explained during the meeting, "We read that ordinance and voted at our last meeting, but it required unanimous approval first reading and it didn't," and the board "need[ed] a motion and a second to approve it again." The motion was made, seconded and the ordinance passed by voice vote.

The board approved two demolition resolutions directing the chief building inspector to remove dwellings determined "unfit for human habitation" at 2088 and 2090 Caratoke Highway. Staff said owners were given notice and opportunity to comply or appeal and that the county will place a lien on the properties to recover demolition costs. Commissioners asked staff about potential asbestos concerns and whether a controlled burn would be possible; staff indicated inspections and procedures would be followed.

The board also approved an extension of leave for Commissioner J. Owen Etheridge through May 1, 2026, and confirmed two appointments: Thomas Schroeder to fill an unexpired Game Commission term and Buddy Byram to fill an unexpired term on the Tourism Advisory Board. The consent agenda was approved, concluding business for the night.

All formal motions recorded in the transcript were decided by voice votes; individual roll-call tallies were not provided in the public record of this meeting. The county attorney was absent and no votes requiring the county attorney's presence were deferred.