Cape Connection

Easter Egg Hunt Rescheduled for Saturday, March 30 at 11 am

Rainy weather on March 23 resulted in the postponement of the annual Easter Egg Hunt, and it's been rescheduled for Saturday, March 30 at 11 am. The event is presented by MacDaddy's in cooperation with the Town of Cape Carteret, and will be held at MacDaddy's on Golfin' Dolphin Drive.

Bring your little ones, aged walking to 12 years, for this FREE event featuring over 15,000 eggs, including special golden eggs with exciting cash prizes. Lunch, treats, and other children's activities will also be available. Enjoy!

Service Planned for Former Mayor Fowler - Saturday, April 13

Former Mayor David Fowler passed away on March 14, 2024 at the age of 74. Mayor Fowler served the Town as a Town Commissioner and Mayor from 2005 to 2019. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 at 2 pm at West Carteret High School in Morehead City.

School Resource Officer to Be Redeployed to Serve Entire Cape Carteret Community Beginning in August

The Town of Cape Carteret has informed Carteret County that it will no longer be able to assign a Cape Carteret Police Officer to serve as the School Resource Officer at White Oak Elementary School beginning in August 2024. CCPD will continue to assign an officer through the end of the current school year in June, however, this officer will be redeployed to provide law enforcement services throughout the entire Cape Carteret community beginning in June.

The Cape Cape Carteret Police Department (CCPD) provides 24/7/365 law enforcement services to the entire Cape Carteret community with a total force of 7 officers. CCPD staffing includes a Chief, a Sergeant, a School Resource Officer, and 4 Police Officers providing services to more than 2,200 full-time residents, more than 1100 housing units, thousands of daily visitors, and many local business establishments located within the Town's 2.4 square mile land area. The dedication of one of our 7 CCPD officers to White Oak Elementary School on a full-time basis reduces the staffing available to keep the entire Cape Carteret community safe and presents significant operational challenges for our small Police Department. When even 1 officer is out with health issues, in training, or on vacation, or there is an unfilled position (or positions), it requires the rest of the small department to step up to meet the community's needs, and it is much more difficult for a small law enforcement agency to adjust than a larger agency. The Town has simply requested that the County provide the School Resource Officer with an officer from a larger agency that will have more flexibility than our small agency. Any organization with 25, 50, or 75 personnel is better equipped to provide services when 1 or 2 individuals are unavailable than an agency with 7 total personnel, and the Town is hopeful that Carteret County will identify a larger agency to provide the School Resource Officer in the future.

This issue is not about funding or a lack of funding, but rather the overall public safety needs of the entire Cape Carteret community and the operational challenges of our small Police Department. The Town remains more than willing to contribute its share of funding toward the School Resource Officer position in the future based on the same formula used for other area municipalities, and supports the assignment of a qualified law enforcement officer to White Oak Elementary School.

The CCPD will continue to provide periodic patrol and timely emergency response services to White Oak Elementary School as needed in the future, and will also assist with traffic management at the school during morning and afternoon hours.

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.

Board Approves UDO Amendment to Ease New Single-Family Home Construction on Existing Smaller, Narrow Lots

The Board of Commissioners recently approved an amendment that simplifies the Town's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and will make it easier for property owners to construct a new single-family home on smaller, narrow lots that don't meet the Town's minimum lot size requirements but are otherwise able to comply with all other development requirements.

The ordinance amendment primarily impacts narrower lots in the Bayshore Park area, and will also make it easier for the redevelopment of older homes in this area. The ordinance amendment applies only to existing lots of record as of January 1, 2024, and any new lots platted after that date will be required to meet the minimum lot size requirements in effect at the time of development.

Small Townhome Development Receives Preliminary Planning Board Approval

The Planning Board recently completed a preliminary review of a proposed small townhome development on Taylor Notion Road, and indicated preliminary approval. The project will be reviewed by the Planning Board again at its April 16 meeting, and will likely be considered for final approval by the Board of Commissioners at its May 13 meeting.

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 preliminary plan meets applicable requirements in the Town's Unified Development Ordinance, and the applicant is currently working to finalize the plan for formal Planning Board and Board of Commissioners approval. The proposed development is located near the entrance to Star Hill Golf Course, adjacent to an existing 4-unit townhome development.

Pine Lake Road Paving Planned

The Town's contractor, Coastline Contracting, is expected to complete the resurfacing of Pine Lake Road later in April. The paving project includes the entire 1-mile length from Taylor Notion Road to Quailwood Circle.

The approximately $123,000 project is funded primarily by State-shared Powell Bill funds derived from State gasoline taxes and motor vehicle taxes.

Public Works Takes Delivery of New Equipment

The Public Works Department recently took delivery of a new mini-excavator and associated attachments, and this new equipment will expand our in-house capabilities and efficiency for street, storm water, and park projects.

Public Works recently utilized this new equipment to improve the parking area at Ferry Landing Park, and will soon utilize this new equipment to improve drainage along Lejeune Road. We expect to continue to address localized nuisance flooding concerns in various neighborhoods in the coming months.

This equipment was funded with approximately $83,000 of funds derived from a Federal grant.

Town Staff Improves Boat Ramp Parking Area

The prime boating season is nearly upon us, and Town staff recently improved the parking area at the Town's public boat launching facility on Manatee Street. Additional gravel was added to eliminate a steep drop off from the adjacent Manatee Street pavement.

Town Staff Improves Parking Area at Ferry Landing Park

The Public Works Department recently constructed a new pervious parking area at Ferry Landing Park. This improvement is part of the Town's overall efforts to improve the function and aesthetics of all Town parks.

Additional small improvements, including better delineation of parking areas, new picnic tables, and landscaping improvements, are planned in the coming weeks and months.

Drainage Improvements Planned for Lejeune Road

Town staff continue to address localized nuisance flooding concerns, and are planning to construct ditch improvements and address clogged driveway culverts on Lejeune Road in the coming weeks. Efforts will be focused on the area between NC 24 and Park Avenue, and will rely on in-house staff and equipment and a local jet-vac contractor.

We are hopeful that these improvements will promote more efficient storm water flow away from streets and homes in this area.

Board Authorizes Conveyance of Surplus Property to Star Hill North Homeowners Association

The Board recently authorized the conveyance of two Town-owned lots to the Star Hill North Homeowners Association, with the stipulation that the two lots remain available for recreational use by Star Hill North and Cape Carteret residents in the future.

The two lots on Bahia Lane were dedicated to the Town for recreational use only when the subdivision was developed in the 2000s, but were never developed with recreational amenities. After considerable discussion in recent months, the Board authorized this conveyance because the two lots are located on the far edge of the Town limits, because the Town believes that the Star Hill North Homeowners Association can more effectively utilize the land in the future, and because Star Hill North residents are more likely to utilize any future facilities at this location.

The Town is currently coordinating with the leadership of the Star Hill North HOA, and expects to complete this conveyance later in April.

2024 Fall Festival Set for Saturday, November 2

The Town has begun work on the 2024 Fall Festival, the Town's signature special event, and looks forward to another fun-filled day of music, activities, arts and crafts, and community fellowship on Saturday, November 2!

Event planning is underway, and interested arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and activity vendors should contact Shawne Southard, Town Administrative Assistant. The Town greatly appreciates the generosity of our Fall Festival sponsors, and welcomes all returning and new sponsors for the 2024 event. Please contact Shawne Southard via EMAIL or at 252-393-8483 during normal business hours for more information.

We look forward to seeing you on November 2!

Town Still Awaiting Permits for Final Segment of Cape Carteret Trail

Design work for the final segment of the Cape Carteret Trail is complete, and the Town continues to await the issuance of necessary State permits for the approximately 1 mile segment along Taylor Notion Road and NC 58. Construction bids will be solicited as soon as permits are issued, and the Board is expected to consider a formal construction contract later this spring.

Limited Number of Boat Ramp Passes Still Available

As of March 28, there are only a total of 18 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 April 15

The next Town-wide vegetative debris collection event will begin on Monday, April 15. Residents should place vegetative debris at the curbside between April 5 and April 14, and Public Works staff will collect the debris as soon as possible beginning on April 15.

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

• 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.

Croatan High School Athletics Department Begins Fundraising Campaign for New Scoreboard

Croatan High School Athletics has begun a fundraising campaign to raise approximately $48,000 for the installation of a new modern scoreboard. Advertising funds are expected to be available to fund the approximately $178,000 cost of the scoreboard.

The new scoreboard will be used for the football team, men's and women's soccer teams, and men's and women's lacrosse teams, and will be operated by Croatan students in the CTE program, providing valuable experience.

Please contact Athletic Director David Boal via EMAIL or at 252-347-6304 to learn more and contribute.

Upcoming Town Meetings

The Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 8 at 6 pm.

The Planning Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 16 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?

The Town limits of Cape Carteret include approximately 318 acres of vacant, undeveloped land, or approximately 20% of the total land area in the Town.