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Board approves church‑staff housing and dormitory uses; traffic study flags need for signal near proposed hotel
Summary
The commissioners approved a text amendment to let religious complexes add an extra single‑family dwelling for staff and added dormitory use in an environmental district for town workforce housing; staff also presented a traffic update that may require a signal at US‑158 and West Lakeside if a nearby hotel is built.
The Nags Head Board of Commissioners on Sept. 4 approved two targeted land‑use amendments and reviewed a traffic study tied to a planned hotel.
Kelly Wyatt, planning and development director, presented a text amendment from Anloff Engineering on behalf of The ARC Church to expand the "religious complex" definition to allow an additional single‑family dwelling for church staff. Planning staff and the planning board recommended adoption, and the board approved the amendment as presented by voice vote.
The board also approved a text amendment to allow dormitory use in the SED‑80 special environmental district for town workforce housing (for example, lifeguard or town‑staff housing) on town‑owned property at the former Outer Banks Medical Center site. Wyatt said dormitory proposals would follow supplemental regulations already used for dormitories in other districts and would be considered via the special‑use permit process.
Separately, staff briefed the board on an updated traffic impact analysis for West Lakeside Street at U.S. 158 tied to a previously approved hotel site. Staff reported July data showing that, under a Saturday build scenario, eastbound side‑street delays would reach a level of service F and that certain signal warrants were met for weekend peak conditions. NCDOT told staff it would consider a traffic signal if an implementing agreement, design and construction funding, and comprehensive crosswalk and connectivity improvements were included. Staff said DOT estimated installation costs at roughly $350,000 and would not accept financial responsibility for signal construction. Town staff and commissioners discussed negotiating cost‑sharing or pursuing state assistance.
Planning director Wyatt said the religious‑complex amendment "meets the criteria for the 2022 comprehensive land‑use plan policies" and that planning staff recommended adoption. Traffic staff noted the signal was not guaranteed but that DOT would consider it with appropriate agreements and funding.
Votes and procedural outcome: Both text amendments were approved by the board; the traffic study will proceed to negotiation and coordination with DOT and the hotel's developer as required.
