Surf City council backs drafting of cross-access easement and waterfront boardwalk concept

Kyle Brewer (town staff, speaker 9) presented a proposed cross-access easement to connect Goldsboro Avenue with an adjacent tract to provide secondary access for an approved Marina Joe's restaurant and related development. The easement would be 26 feet wide and would require the town to pave the minimal portion of Goldsboro necessary for the access; the developer would construct the connecting portion on private property and pay an annual maintenance fee (indexed, capped at 3% escalation per year).

Brewer said the developer would also fund 50% of a proposed pedestrian boardwalk along the waterfront portion of the town-owned property, including permitting and design costs. The draft concept includes pervious parking surfaces to minimize runoff and an 8-foot minimum boardwalk constructed of marine-grade materials.

Councilmembers discussed kayak launch and parking options, permitability of docks or dredging, traffic impacts on Goldsboro Avenue, and whether the town should accept additional public responsibilities if the town-owned parcels remain as green space. The presenter said grant programs (including a potential GRAMA public-access grant) and partnerships with the Coastal Federation were part of the funding strategy and that any detailed design would be brought back to council.

Council gave consensus to direct staff and legal counsel to draft the easement and return with final terms, to continue discussions with the adjacent property owner on access and to pursue grant opportunities for boardwalk and kayak-launch elements. Staff noted the town had no present intent to sell the three lots and that the concept is intended to preserve public access and avoid additional driveway cuts on North New River.