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Board reviews Tar Heel Motel sketch plan; engineer flags wet site and multi‑month permitting timeline
Summary
Planning staff presented a sketch plan for a two‑story, 26‑unit Tar Heel Motel addition with below‑building parking and a pool. Staff and the applicant noted the site is low and wet, requires soil borings and a DEQ stormwater permit, and the applicant estimated at least six months before permit readiness.
Kelly, planning staff, presented a sketch plan submitted by Michael (Mike) Robinson on behalf of Tar Heel Motel/OVX, LLC for a two‑story, 26‑unit hotel with below‑grade parking, a pool and pool house, a dog run and associated site work. The site spans two properties and will require septic reconfiguration and the relocation of an existing pool as part of the project.
Kelly noted the property is in the C2 General Commercial zoning district and in the Hotel Overlay District, where hotel projects may be allowed up to 65% lot coverage; the applicant’s plan shows approximately 56.1% lot coverage. Staff said the proposed building height is 42.8 feet measured from the local elevation standard (LES) and reminded members that hotels in the overlay can, in limited cases, build up to 60 feet. Town design and buffering standards, interior parking landscaping and a striped pedestrian connection between structures will be required at formal submittal.
On site constraints, Kelly and the town engineer recommended soil borings and groundwater depth testing to determine depth to seasonal high water tables and to inform stormwater design. "Soil borings…required for depth to seasonal high water elevations," Kelly said, noting DEQ stormwater permitting will be necessary because the site is low and wet.
Applicant Mike Robinson said the team has already performed geotechnical work including deep drills and slug testing and is addressing water‑line and wastewater issues; on schedule he said, "I don't think we'll be permit ready within 6 months, quite honestly," and anticipated construction would take about a year once permit and design work are complete.
Board members asked about pedestrian connections and potential green space from relocated septic and utility work; the engineer said striped pathways and additional parking could be added as the design evolves. Staff reiterated the procedural path: TRC technical review, formal planning board review and a special‑use public hearing with notification requirements.
The board agreed to move the sketch plan forward through technical review; no final approvals were granted at this meeting.
