THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 23, 1994 TAG: 9411230451
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Some folks say a proposed campground on the north end of Roanoke Island would be a boon for business and would lengthen the tourist season.
Others contend that the campground would worsen the area's crowding and damage the fragile environment of the island.
On Dec. 5, the Dare County Board of Commissioners is expected to decide whether to grant the zoning change necessary to build anything but homes in the area.
The owners are seeking a new classification, Conservation-Public Recreation. If the revision is approved, banker Wallace Harvey and his father, Dr. W.W. Harvey, plan to build a 125-site destination-style campground on a 46-acre tract.
A standing-room-only crowd at a hearing Monday night brought out both sides of the issue. A slight majority of those who spoke at the hearing supported the Harvey plan.
``I believe if Dr. Harvey builds the campground, and meets all the criteria, it can't do anything but help us,'' said Boyd Midgett of Manteo. ``I know four people who visited the original Sandpiper Trace campground. If the property meets all the requirements, it will be a good thing.''
Manteo Town Commissioner Melvin Jackson agreed.
``I'm for this,'' he said. ``I believe it will be an asset to Roanoke Island. I think we ought to let the people who want to do something with this property (the Harveys) step up and do something.''
Manteo resident Luther Daniels took an opposing view.
``This is a fragile island,'' Daniels said. ``It can only take so much. If you let this in, you'll be opening up a new ball game.''
Terry McDowell of Manteo took issue with proponents' contention that the campground constitutes ``passive recreation'' - permissible under the Conservation-Public Recreation designation.
``The proposed change is in conflict with the Dare County Land Use Plan,'' McDowell said in a letter to the commission. ``Camping is active recreation in the literal sense.''
Most Dare County commissioners said they have not yet made a decision.
The newest member of the board, Commissioner-elect Shirley Hassell of Manns Harbor, said it was too soon to take a position. She will take office on the day of the rezoning vote.
``I'm going to have to wait until it's discussed,'' said Hassell, who was part of the packed house. ``It's really kind of early.''
Commissioner Joseph ``Mac'' Midgett also said he had not made up his mind.
``All I learned last night was that there were 34 who spoke for it, 22 who spoke against it.''
Commissioner Doug Langford said he expects an increase in constituent correspondence in the two weeks until the vote.
``I expect to get a lot of letters and phone calls in the next couple of weeks,'' he said. ``I have an open mind about it. I thought both sides had some valid arguments. But a zoning decision is very, very important. I want to make sure I make the right decision.''
Commissioner Samuel O. ``Sammy'' Smith said he is also undecided.
``I thought he (Harvey) had a good presentation, but I have an open mind. I'm not ready to make a decision yet.''
One commissioner, Clarence Skinner, said ``If the bell rung today and I had to vote, I'd lean toward the affirmative.''
However, Skinnner said he will listen to other views, including those of his fellow commissioners.
``That is only a statistic,'' Skinner said. ``It was just the position of the majority of those who were present. I could be wrong. I want to share my thoughts with the other commissioners, and listen to what they have to say, and see if it tempers or changes my thoughts on this.''
Commission Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. and Commissioner Geneva Perry were out of town and could not be reached for comment Tuesday. by CNB