THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 7, 1994 TAG: 9407070516
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Residents of Knotts Island say they are upset by plans to build a major subdivision in one of Currituck County's more remote spots.
``I don't see where building 19 homes is going to add to the benefit, the betterment of Knotts Island,'' resident Walter North said at a public hearing Tuesday night at the Currituck County Courthouse.
While the number of homes might seem miniscule to metropolitan areas, North said, it is considered high-density development on Knotts Island.
``It's just going to ruin it,'' North told the Currituck County Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting.
The proposed development includes a total of 22 lots, each ranging from about 1.4 to almost 12 acres and located east of N.C. 615, the island's main road. The area would include a sizeable portion of wetlands and be bordered by residentially zoned property, corn fields and the Currituck Sound.
Known as Knotts Landing, the development would include a common water access area and a private 10-slip marina.
Residents raised questions about the county's ability to provide adequate fire and police protection and ample school space as Knotts Island, like the rest of Currituck County, experiences residential expansion.
An estimated 1,200 people live on the rural, 18-square-mile peninsula. Most drive to Virginia's Hampton Roads to shop, bank and work, though a ferry provides transportation to Currituck.
Since 1985, 89 building permits have been issued for single-family dwellings on Knotts Island, said Jack Simoneau, the county's planning and inspections director.
Homes are generally disbursed throughout the rural area. About 20 permits have been issued in recent years for Swan Haven, a 58-lot subdivision next to the ferry docks, Simoneau said.
A concern for some residents Tuesday evening was traffic along N.C. 615. A side street leading into Knotts Landing would be built near a sharp curve on the main artery.
At least one resident worried about more motorists with the addition of another paved street.
``Hard surfacing a road is an open invitation to traffic,'' Martha Burns said at the Tuesday hearing.
Both the Currituck County Planning and Inspections Department and the Planning Board recommend approving the project.
Two more public hearings will be held before the board of commissioners takes action.
The Knotts Landing public hearing was just one of several attended by about 20 residents at the Currituck County Courthouse.
Public comments also were made on a 15-lot subdivision proposed near Moyock. The development on Lou Sawyer Road would be called Tulls Acres and include custom-built modular homes.
Commissioner Ernie Bowden asked about recreational facilities within the subdivision. ``All too often we see children who have to resort to recreation in the street and the road,'' he said.
The county hopes to see playgrounds and recreational centers built in residential developments through Currituck's new $25,000 incentive grant program.
KEYWORDS: DEVELOPMENT by CNB