Newly annexed residents question rezoning in Sunset Beach

SUNSET BEACH—Several residents of a newly annexed area had questions about their rezoning Monday night.

The residents of Sandpiper Bay and Wyndfall questioned what the mainland residential (MR-3) zoning would allow.

Town building inspector Jeff Curtis said MR-3 allows for a combination of both single-family housing and condominiums.

“We had to try to fit what was already there,” he said of rezoning for the residential communities that were annexed into the town last summer.

Mayor Ronald Klein added the town wanted to make sure zoning was appropriate to the property that was annexed.

Resident Nancy Grant of Wyndfall Drive also questioned the town’s rezoning of vacant property between Wyndfall and N.C. 904 to mainland business (MB-2).

“Our main concerns are what’s going to be going there, if business is going to be going there,” said resident Nancy Grant of Wyndfall Drive.

Curtis said the town has landscaping and lighting requirements regarding development between residential and business zones.

The council later went on to approve the rezoning.

After rezoning was approved, Pam Silberman of Sandpiper Bay Drive said, “Now that we’ve put ourselves on the block as MR-3, what happens to the golf course land?”

Curtis said the golf course is MR-3 now but a proposal is in the works to change it to AF-1—agricultural-forestry district.

According to the town zoning ordinance, AF-1 is applied “primarily for production of agricultural and forestry products with provisions for single-family homes, provided lots are one-acre minimum in size, and that all other requirements of MR-1 (residential) apply for the residential lots.”

Council also approved a resolution to annex 64-plus acres of property off N.C. 904 that is being eyed for an assisted living facility.

Resident Carol Santavicca questioned an upcoming Jan. 17 meeting at the county level that she said will address “apparently four different entities,” including this one, that are seeking approval for such facilities.

She asked whether it has been determined that “we need this facility.”

Town administrator Gary Parker said any of this type of health-care facilities have to receive approval from the state.

“The meeting you’re referring to is probably for public input to help the state decide how best to answer that question,” he said.

“I don’t think they’re going to approve four,” Santavicca said. “A couple of years ago, they wouldn’t have approved one.”

Council voted to table consideration of Brunswick County’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan because it fails to mention the Sunset Beach bridge while it includes the Oak Island bridge.

Council also approved contracting with former town administrator Linda Fluegel for consulting services. Klein described the move as historical in nature.

“She could be of assistance in trying to sort out a problem,” he said.

Council also unanimously elected councilman Len Steiner mayor pro tem. Steiner succeeds outgoing councilman Carl Bazemore, who received a plaque from Klein at the meeting for his 14 years of service on council.

Council also approved for possible future annexation:

•A resolution of consideration for “certain parcels” east of town limits.

•A resolution of consideration for Ocean Harbor Landing subdivision.

Council approved directing the town planning board to reconsider the allowable time a billboard can remain at the corner of N.C. 904 and Old Georgetown Road, to three years instead of five.

The three-sided billboard, which has existed for a number of years, does not fit in with the town’s rezoning.

“Mike, can we get away with three? ” Steiner asked town attorney Michael Isenberg.

“I think you can send it by to the planning board to look at as far as amortization,” Isenberg said.

Klein said he also is seeking a crew of volunteers to work on the next Sunset at Sunset beach party. The first one was in September near the island gazebo.