Nags Head approves expansion of Soundside event site, including 10 pickleball courts

The Nags Head Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 8 to approve a special-use permit and site-plan amendment for the Soundside event site, allowing five additional parcels to be integrated into the designated event area, construction of boardwalk platforms and gazebos with small docking facilities, and 10 pickleball courts at the former Pamlico Jack's property.

Planning and Development Director Kelly Wyatt told the board the applicant, Albemarle Morrill & Associates on behalf of the Dare County Tourism Bureau, is seeking three approvals: (1) inclusion of five parcels not part of the original plan, (2) boardwalk gazebos, platforms and docking facilities, and (3) construction of 10 pickleball courts. Wyatt said staff’s review found the proposal consistent with the town’s unified development ordinance and with the site’s land-use classification. She said maximum lot coverage is 55% under the code and the proposed improvements occupy roughly 26.2% of the site.

Wyatt said required parking for sport courts is 1.5 spaces per court, so the 10 pickleball courts would require 15 spaces and the site provides roughly 91 on-site spaces. She noted the Dare County Health Department has approved septic for the site and that the project holds a camera permit (61-24) for boardwalk work included with the application. Wyatt also told commissioners that an approved lighting plan and later a light audit would be required before and after any sports-court lighting is installed.

Applicant representative John DeLucia described site features and intended uses, saying the added boat slips and docks are intended for small craft and kayak launching rather than commercial vessels. “Kayak launch,” he said when asked who would use the slips, and added that water in the slip area is only about two to three feet deep, limiting larger boats.

Commissioners raised questions about evening lighting and a design variance related to boardwalk elevation and handrail requirements. The applicant said lighting will be similar to existing park systems and will be controlled so lights stay off unless users are present; handrail questions tied to elevation standards will be addressed through required permit and code compliance processes. Staff acknowledged that kiteboarders had expressed concerns about handrails catching kites and said the team would pursue compliant solutions.

After brief deliberation, a commissioner moved to approve the site-plan amendment “as presented”; the motion was seconded and passed with no recorded opposition. The applicant said construction activity is expected to begin in the next month or so.

The hearing had been conducted under quasi-judicial procedures; the town attorney reminded members earlier that any commissioner with a financial conflict or prior ex parte contacts must disclose and, if appropriate, recuse. One commissioner who disclosed tourism-board membership was excused from participating in the hearing.

What happens next: the applicant will proceed with required permitting steps—an approved lighting/photometrics plan before lighting installation, applicable building and boardwalk permits, and any variances or design modifications required to comply with state and town construction standards.