Cape Connection

Town Exploring Potential Construction of New Town Hall and Police Station

The Town is currently exploring the potential construction of a new building to house Town government operations, and the Board of Commissioners will begin public discussion about this issue at its upcoming budget planning workshop meeting on February 23.

The Town owns a total of 1.6 acres bounded by WB McLean Drive (NC 24), Dolphin Street, and Manatee Street, and would potentially construct a new building on that site in the coming years. One idea under consideration includes the future demolition of the existing Town Hall building (which also houses the Police Department) and the existing older commercial building fronting on WB McLean Drive. Any new building would likely house Town administrative staff, the Police Department, a public meeting room, and a new emergency operations center that would serve the Town of Cape Carteret and potentially other local governments in western Carteret County. The future building could also potentially include retail and/or office space available for lease or sale if advantageous to the Town.

The current Town Hall / Police Station building located on Dolphin Street includes approximately 3,200 sq. ft. of office space and 1,600 sq. ft. of public meeting room space, and the potential new building would include sufficient space for Town staff and public meetings in the future. The Town will likely consider a multi-story building with an attractive design that would also enhance the aesthetics of the NC 24 corridor in this area.

The Town will likely seek grant funding for a portion of the construction cost, and will be seeking to devise a responsible financing plan that limits the burden on our taxpayers in coming years. It is likely that any new construction is still 3 - 5 years away, however, the Town hopes to replace the existing older facilities with a new building that will meet the Town's needs for at least the next 30 years or more. 

Board to Consider Contract to Resurface Pine Lake Road

The Town-maintained street network includes approximately 20 miles of public streets, and the Town's goal is to resurface at least 1 mile of the Town's street network annually. Town staff assess the street segments in need of resurfacing each year, and have identified the entire length of Pine Lake Road for potential resurfacing in 2024. The Board of Commissioners will consider awarding a contract for the resurfacing of Pine Lake Road from Star Hill Drive to Quailwood Court at its February 12 regular meeting, and if awarded this resurfacing will occur later this winter or spring.

The Town receives approximately $90,000 annually from the State of North Carolina (Powell Bill funds) for street resurfacing activities, and must supplement these funds with general Town revenues to achieve the annual 1-mile goal. In an effort to minimize costs, the Town attempts to keep all annual resurfacing segments in the same general area of Town, and recently implemented a strategy where selected streets in each of the 3 distinct residential areas are resurfaced on a 3-year cycle. The 2023 street resurfacing contract focused primarily on street segments in the Bayshore Park area, and 2024 is focused on the Star Hill area. The 2025 contract will be focused on the Old Cape Carteret area, and the cycle will repeat beginning in 2026.

Town Seeking Grant Funds for Bulkhead Construction at Water Access Parks

The Town has submitted a grant application to the NC Division of Emergency Management requesting a total of $180,000 for the installation of new bulkhead at 6 of the Town's water access parks. The Town is seeking to install new bulkhead at the Bonita Street, Dolphin Street, Anita Fort Drive, Holly Lane, Bayshore Drive, and Easy Street water access parks to provide protection from storm and tidal events and prevent further shoreline erosion at these popular park locations.

Grant funding decisions are expected to be announced in May, and if grant funds are awarded, the Town will proceed with this work later this summer or fall. All new bulkhead installations will include steps to the water and a special kayak launching slide (similar to recent improvements at the Manatee Street water access park).

Police Department Annual Report Presented

The Cape Carteret Police Department works hard to keep our community safe, and the Town is fortunate to enjoy a low crime rate. Police Chief Brian Silva recently presented the department's annual report to the Board of Commissioners, and a copy of the report can be accessed by clicking HERE .

Town Opposes Requested Homeowners Insurance Rate Increase

The NC Rate Bureau has again requested a significant increase in coastal NC homeowners insurance rates, with a 71.4% increase requested for the territory that includes the Town of Cape Carteret.

The Town of Cape Carteret has submitted formal comments (click HERE to view) opposing the requested rate increase, and urges our residents to also share your comments with Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey before the February 2 deadline. Please urge Commissioner Causey to reject the requested rate increases outright!

NC Representative Celeste Cairns has gone on record opposing the requested increase, and a copy of her letter to Commissioner Causey is attached HERE. We greatly appreciate Representative Cairns' support on this important issue.

For more information, and instructions on how to submit your comments to Commissioner Causey, please click HERE.

Town Awaiting Permits for Final Segment of Cape Carteret Trail

The Town continues to work toward the construction of the final, ~ 1.1 mile segment of the Cape Carteret Trail, and is awaiting the issuance of appropriate permits from the State of North Carolina. The Town hopes to have the final required permits in hand by the end of February, and hopes to solicit construction bids in March and award a construction contract in April.

The new multi-use path will complete the full loop around the "Triangle", and the final segment will extend from Ardan Oaks to NC 58 along Taylor Notion Road, and from Taylor Notion Road to MacDaddy's along NC 58.

Budget Planning Workshop Scheduled for February 23

The Board of Commissioners will conduct a half-day budget planning workshop beginning at 9 am on Friday, February 23 at the Town Hall on Dolphin Street. The Board will receive an update on the current year budget, a preliminary budget projection for next fiscal year, and discuss several big-picture items and potential budget decisions for FY 24-25 and beyond.

The budget planning workshop represents the start of the FY 24-25 budget process, and the Board's collective input will be incorporated into the Town Manager's recommended budget that will be presented to the Board on May 13. The Board will thoroughly review the Town Manager's recommended budget in May and June, and will likely adopt the FY 24-25 budget at its regular meeting on June 10.

Topics that may be discussed at the February 23 budget workshop meeting include a potential new Town Hall and Police Station, additional storm water improvements, the Cape Carteret Trail and other potential multi-use path improvements, park improvements, street resurfacing goals, Police Department needs, the School Resource Officer, Christmas decorations, the proposed Town Center zoning district, and more.

Planning Board to Begin Review of Proposed Town Center Zoning District

The Planning Board will begin its review of the proposed new "Town Center" zoning district at its February 20 meeting. The proposed new zoning district includes 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 Planning Board will review a draft ordinance amendment to create the new district at its February 20 meeting (and potentially at subsequent Planning Board meetings), and will make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners this spring. The Board of Commissioners is expected to formally consider adoption of the new zoning district later this spring or summer.

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

Limited Number of Boat Ramp Passes Still Available

As of January 30, there are only a total of 56 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 February 19

The next Town-wide vegetative debris collection event will begin on Monday, February 19. Residents should place vegetative debris at the curbside between February 9 and February 18, and Public Works staff will collect the debris as soon as possible beginning on February 19.

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

• April 15,
• June 3,
• 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.

Renew Your Golf Cart Registration for 2024

The Town is currently processing golf cart registrations for 2024, and Cape Carteret golf cart owners can click HERE to register and pay online. Golf cart owners may also visit Town Hall at 102 Dolphin Street to register your golf cart.

The annual registration fee is $75, and covers the period from January 1 - December 31, 2024. If you no longer own your golf cart, or if it is no longer in service, please return your plate to Town Hall at your earliest convenience.

Upcoming Town Meetings

The Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 12 at 6 pm.

The Planning Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 20 at 6 pm.

The Board of Commissioners will hold its annual budget planning workshop meeting on Friday, February 23 at 9 am.

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?

The Town of Cape Carteret currently maintains a General Fund balance (i.e, the Town's "savings account") in excess of 100% of its annual operating budget in order to meet cash-flow needs, effectively respond to natural or man-made disasters, maximize interest income, and preserve flexibility for any high priority, beneficial opportunities that may arise.