Cape Connection

Recommended FY 24-25 Budget To Be Reviewed by Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will receive the Town Manager's Recommended Budget for FY 24-25 at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 13 at 6 pm. The Board will receive a detailed presentation on May 13, with a budget workshop meeting scheduled for Monday, May 20 at 6 pm.

The May 20 budget workshop meeting will include Board discussion and identification of any desired adjustments, and will also include a formal public hearing for the public to share thoughts, ideas, and concerns about the Town's annual budget. Additional budget workshop meetings may be conducted between May 20 and June 30. Under NC law, the Board may adopt the annual budget at any time after the formal public hearing, but prior to June 30.

The FY 24-25 Recommended Budget will be available for public review beginning on May 9. A digital copy of the Recommended Budget will be posted on the Town's website and a hard copy will be available at Town Hall (102 Dolphin Street).

Board of Commissioners to Review Small Townhome Development

The Board of Commissioners will formally review a proposed small townhome development on Taylor Notion Road at its May 13 meeting. The Board's review is the final step in the approval process for the proposed development, following staff review in March and Planning Board review in March and April.

The proposed project includes 12 townhome units on a 2.3 acre parcel that is zoned R-10M, which allows townhome developments by right if various specified requirements are met. The proposed development meets all applicable requirements in the Town's Unified Development Ordinance, and also incorporates site plan improvements recommended by the Planning Board. The proposed development is located near the entrance to Star Hill Golf Course, adjacent to an existing 4-unit townhome development.

Proposed Town Center Zoning District To Be Considered

The Board of Commissioners will formally consider establishing the proposed new "Town Center" zoning district at its May 13 meeting. A public hearing has been scheduled for the May 13 meeting, and the public is invited to share thoughts, ideas, and concerns regarding the proposed new mixed-use zoning district intended for the "Triangle" area of Cape Carteret.

The proposed new zoning district is intended for the area bounded by NC 58, Taylor Notion Road, and NC 24 that is located south of the Ardan Oaks subdivision and north of the main commercial areas on NC 24. The proposed new zoning district would allow all currently permitted commercial and residential uses in this area, but would specifically incentivize new mixed-use development, multi-family housing, and village-style single family residential development to hopefully create a special and distinct sense of place in the "Town Center". The vision for this area is modeled after other similar coastal developments, and is intended to promote a mix of residential and commercial uses, buildings closer to the street, public gathering spaces, and a "village" or "downtown" feel.

The "Town Center" concept is a key element of the Town's CAMA and Comprehensive Plan developed with significant public input in 2021 and 2022 and formally adopted by the Board of Commissioners in fall 2022. The Board reviewed a preliminary draft of the proposed new "Town Center" zoning district in summer 2023, numerous discussions were conducted with affected landowners last fall and winter, and the Planning Board reviewed the proposed new zoning district at multiple meetings this spring. If the new zoning district is established, a separate process will begin to rezone specific parcels in the "Triangle" area to the new "Town Center" zoning district. This process is likely to occur this summer if the Board approves the new zoning district.

To learn more about the proposed new zoning district, click HERE.

Rezoning Proposed for West Side of Bogue Sound Drive

The Board of Commissioners is scheduled to consider the rezoning of 18 parcels on the west side of Bogue Sound Drive at its May 13 meeting. A public hearing has also been scheduled for the May 13 meeting, and the public is invited to share thoughts and concerns.

The proposed rezoning would assign these parcels to the R-10 zoning district, which allows single family residential development and is consistent with the zoning for all other properties in the Bayshore Park neighborhood. The 18 parcels are currently zoned R-30, which includes slightly more restrictive requirements, and the proposed rezoning reflects the general development patterns currently existing and permitted in the Bayshore Park neighborhood.

Schematic Design Work Underway for New Town Hall / Police Station

Town staff and Dunn-Dalton Architects (Kinston, NC) have initiated work on schematic design options for a potential new Town Hall / Police Station that could eventually be constructed on WB McLean Drive near Town Hall.

Dunn-Dalton will develop multiple schematic design options for review by the Board of Commissioners later this summer, and will be seeking to present options that provide ample space for Town government and Police Department operations in the future, present an attractive Town image, provide ample space for Town meetings and other community events, incorporate a modern emergency operations center, and improve the aesthetics of the NC 24 corridor, all with a cost-effective and affordable approach.

Multiple approaches are being considered, including multi-story designs, one-story designs, and the reservation of ample land for potential additional private development adjacent to any new Town building.

New Kayak Storage Rack Added at Manatee Street Water Access Park

The Town has added a new kayak storage rack at the Manatee Street Water Access Park, and interested residents can secure an annual pass for this storage rack by visiting Town Hall during normal business hours or by completing the online application form on the Town's website.

Additional kayak storage racks are available at water access parks at the terminus of Anita Fort Drive, Holly Lane, and Bayshore Drive.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Survey Now Available -

Please Share Your Thoughts and Ideas

The Town is currently partnering with NCDOT, the DownEast Rural Planning Organization, and the towns of Bogue, Cedar Point, and Peletier on the development of a Western Carteret Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. The plan will identify desired bicycle and pedestrian improvements, including sidewalks, multi-use paths, bicycle lanes, and safety crossing improvements in each town and in the entire western Carteret County area, and is expected to be complete this fall.

The Town and the other partners are seekign public input into the development of the plan, and a new survey is available at this link. Please let us know your thoughts and ideas, and complete this survey prior to May 20.

Town Commissioners Attend Charters of Freedom Dedication Ceremony

Town Commissioners Courtney Barnhill and John Ritchie attended the dedication of the new Charters of Freedom monuments at the Carteret County Courthouse on April 27, along with other area leaders. The Carteret County location is the 52nd setting for these monuments, which include full-scale replicas of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

The Charters of Freedom monuments are important reminders of the freedoms we hold dear, our rich heritage, and the responsibility we all share to defend them!

For Sale - Residential Lot, 100 Taylor Notion Road

The Town of Cape Carteret is currently offering a vacant residential lot for sale, and invites prospective buyers to contact Town Manager Frank Rush via EMAIL or by calling Town Hall at 252-393-8483 during normal business hours.

• The vacant parcel is located at 100 Taylor Notion Road, near the intersection of NC 58 and Taylor Notion Road.

• The total developable portion of the property is 0.70 acres (approximately 32,000 sq. ft. +/-), and the total parcel size is 1.1 acres.

• The property is flat, mostly cleared, and in close proximity to the Star Hill Golf Course, Pettiford Creek, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, and ocean beaches in nearby Emerald Isle.

• The northern portion of the property includes a 0.15 acre sign area easement, and the southern portion of the property includes a 0.25 acre multi-use path easement, with the remaining 0.70 acre area suitable for the construction of a new single-family residential home.

• The property is part of the Star Hill subdivision, and is bound by restrictive covenants in place for Star Hill that limit the property to residential use only.

• The property is zoned R-30 by the Town, which allows single-family residential use only.

• There is a current septic permit on file for the property for a 4 bedroom, conventional system.

To view the location of the property, please click HERE .

To view ground photos of the property, please click HERE .

To view the tax parcel card for the property, please click HERE .

To view a current survey of property, please click HERE .

To view a potential site plan for a new single-family residential home, please click HERE .

The Town will consider all reasonable purchase offers, and welcomes all inquiries regarding the property.

Regular Planning Board Meetings Now Begin at 5:30 pm

The Planning Board conducts regular monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month, and recently changed the start time for these meetings to 5:30 pm. The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21.

Limited Number of Boat Ramp Passes Still Available

As of April 30, there are only a total of 11 boat ramp passes still available for purchase for 2024. Boat ramp passes may be purchased during normal business hours (Mon - Fri, 9 am - 5 pm) at Town Hall or by clicking HERE to visit the Town's website.

Next Vegetative Debris Collection Scheduled for June 3

The next Town-wide vegetative debris collection event will begin on Monday, June 3. Residents should place vegetative debris at the curbside between May 24 and June 2, and Public Works staff will collect the debris as soon as possible beginning on June 3.

Future vegetative debris collection events will begin on the following dates in 2024:

• August 12,
• October 7, and
• December 9.

Limbs should generally be limited to 8 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter. Please avoid placement directly under utility lines and large trees.

Upcoming Town Meetings

The Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 13 at 6 pm.

The Planning Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 21 at 5:30 pm.

All meetings are held in the Debbie E. Stanley Boardroom at Town Hall, located at 102 Dolphin Street.

Stay Informed About the Town of Cape Carteret!

The Town of Cape Carteret is committed to providing timely, concise, and relevant information to the residents, property owners, businesses, and visitors to Cape Carteret, and "Cape Connection" is a great way to stay informed about the Town's issues, activities, and initiatives.

To join our mailing list, please click HERE . 

In addition to "Cape Connection", the Town offers the following opportunities to stay informed:

• Follow us on Facebook at Town of Cape Carteret NC. Please note the "NC" on the end.

• Follow us on Instagram - townofcapecarteret .

• Follow us on X - @TownofCapeC .

• Visit the Town's webpage at www.townofcapecarteret.org .

In addition, all of our customers are always welcome to call us at 252-393-8483, visit us in person at 102 Dolphin Street, or email Town staff .

Thank you for your interest in the Town of Cape Carteret!

Did You Know?

Property tax revenues are the Town's largest source of annual revenue, generating approximately $1 million annually and representing approximately 45% of the Town's total annual revenues. The Town's second largest annual revenue source is sales tax, generating nearly $500,000 annually and representing approximately 22% of the Town's total annual revenues.