THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508060016
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
The quest for an affordable rental unit in Currituck County has often frustrated prospective residents, particularly young adults and families who don't earn enough to rent or buy a house.
But that may change soon if a 44-unit apartment complex in Harbinger is approved by the Board of Commissioners.
The 18.44-acre development off U.S. 158 near Griggs Driving Range is scheduled for a public hearing at 8 p.m. Monday at the Department of Social Services building in Currituck.
Developer Laurel Run Management Group of Morehead, Ky., hopes to obtain a special use permit to build two- and three-bedroom apartments on property owned by Charles E. Younts Jr., Doris Ann Younts and D. Keith and Penny B. Teague.
The apartment complex, if given the green light, could signal a major change for Currituck County, whose officials have worked the past eight months to ensure neighbors have a lot of breathing space between them.
Last winter, county planners and commissioners approved growth controls to slow the tide of new residents, particularly in areas like Moyock that are having trouble keeping up with the demands of an expanding population.
Among the measures was a three-acre minimum lot size for most new houses on the mainland, with some exceptions for family members and farmers. One reason for the regulations was to help Currituck keep its rural feel.
Apartments have never been popular in Currituck. Until a few years ago, apartment projects could not exceed eight units and 14 bedrooms and required a minimum of 100,000 square feet. A duplex required 60,000 square feet and a triplex 80,000.
The square footage requirement has changed, however, and larger complexes are now allowed at a minimum of 150,000 square feet and up.
Among the few apartment areas on the mainland are Nelm's Creek, north of Grandy, and another in Coinjock.
A Point Harbor developer also has been approved for apartments, said H.B. Briggs Jr., the county's chief planner.
Some have said that the lack of affordable housing has steered people away from jobs in Currituck County.
The shortage of rental units in the county has been listed as a reason the public school system has such a high teacher turnover.
That may soon change if the Harbinger apartment complex, and more like it, start appearing in the county.
``I think it's going to make a type of housing more affordable for people and, naturally, whenever you provide or make available more affordable housing, it tends to draw people from outside in,'' Briggs said.
Other public hearings on the Monday board agenda include an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance allowing piers by right on lots with no principal structure and allowing shared walkways that extend more than 12 inches off the ground and within building setbacks. by CNB