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Board gives conceptual support to developer plan for Bowfort Club rear access to NC 101
Summary
After resident appeals and a presentation from the developer, the Beaufort board expressed consensus support to pursue a permanent secondary entrance for Bowfort Club at Kevin Court/NC 101, directing staff and the developer to negotiate terms including financial security and DOT approvals.
Beaufort town leaders on April 13 signaled support for a developer's proposal to add a permanent second entrance to the Bowfort Club subdivision from Kevin Court to North Carolina Highway 101, a step officials said could reduce emergency-response risks and address a state fire-code requirement for communities with more than 100 homes.
The board did not take a formal vote but gave staff and the developer direction to work out details, including a timeline, permitting with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and financial guarantees to ensure construction. The direction followed public comment from residents who said flooding has at times blocked the neighborhood's single main entrance.
Todd Sate, the community's principal owner, told the board his team would contribute $25,000 now and offered to increase its share to cover roughly half of paving costs once the full scope is known. "If we approve that road, we're willing to take that $25,000 and contribute it to the town," Sate said, adding the developer could match the town on a 50—5 basis if the total cost exceeds initial estimates. Sate said his team was prepared to pursue a 12-month schedule for installation if approvals and designs proceed promptly.
Planning Director Kyle Garner and staff framed the exchange as a trade-off with a previously approved emergency-only gravel access on Cedar Avenue. Staff recommended treating the Kevin Court connection as subdivision infrastructure that would typically be backed by a performance guarantee (for example, a letter of credit) so the town could finish the work if the developer did not.
Commissioners pressed for concrete milestones. One commissioner said the town needs a deadline and enforcement tools tied to the final plat and building permits to avoid the situation where homes are occupied before a second access is operable. Staff said options include escrow, letters of credit or other financial security typically posted under the subdivision ordinance.
DOT review remains outstanding. Sate said his engineers have had initial discussions with DOT but acknowledged the town has no written approval yet. Staff warned a DOT permit review could add weeks to the timeline and said engineering details (widening, turn lanes) will determine the final schedule.
The board asked staff and the developer to return with a formal proposal for planning-board and subsequent board consideration that would document required financial security, permitting steps and a realistic schedule. The board's consensus leaves both Cedar Avenue's emergency access and the Kevin Court proposal as active options while further details are developed.
Next steps: staff will coordinate legal, engineering and developer teams to present contract language or performance-security options and a proposed timetable to the planning board and the full council for formal action.
