Kitty Hawk area, showcasing the land in question for future affordable housing initiatives.
Dare County has decided to sever ties with Coastal Affordable Housing, LLC, raising questions regarding future affordable housing projects. This decision follows a concerning invoice that surfaced, shedding light on ongoing development plans. While Coastal Affordable Housing has paused its initiatives, Dare County aims to continue pursuing affordable housing solutions to address community needs. With a new rezoning application expected soon, the future of development in the region remains uncertain, yet crucial as local residents face pressing housing affordability challenges.
Dare County has recently made headlines with a surprising decision to sever its partnership with Coastal Affordable Housing, LLC. This action comes as the county moves to unwind its previously agreed-upon affordable housing initiatives, leaving many in the community pondering what the future holds for neighborhood development.
The decision to cut ties arose after a 66-page invoice surfaced, hinting at Coastal Affordable Housing’s ongoing efforts regarding potential land purchases and development plans. The company had been eyeing dozens of adjacent parcels in the quaint Kitty Hawk area, which stretch over half a mile and sit snugly between The Woods Road and the local Alcoholic Beverage Control store.
The land in question is owned by Kitty Hawk Estates, LLC and boasts properties ranging from 4 acres down to one-third of an acre. Mostly wooded, these spaces also include low-lying marshlands right next to the treasured Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, renowned for its stunning maritime deciduous forests and wetlands. With natural beauty in abundance, these parcels have caught the attention of all, raising several eyebrows concerning environmental impacts and community planning.
It’s worth mentioning that Dare County was allocated a whopping $35 million for affordable housing from the state budget passed back in November 2021. Coastal Affordable Housing was brought on board in February 2022 as a private partner to help manage this ambitious project. Still, the speed at which development was being proposed raised concerns within the community, prompting officials to explore necessary adjustments, such as excluding wetlands from minimum lot size calculations.
The county isn’t completely closing the door on affordable housing, however. While Coastal Affordable Housing has paid a $25,000 holding fee to Kitty Hawk Estates for development options after necessary evaluations, the contract’s cancellation means rethinking the pathway forward is crucial.
Additionally, a new rezoning application is expected to be filed in April, with eyes on having it reviewed at a May planning board meeting. This could set the stage for conversations around different development avenues without Coastal Affordable Housing in the mix.
It appears James Jordan Hennessy is the only representative from Coastal Affordable Housing actively involved in this Dare County affair, with previous connections to EJE Dredging Service, LLC. The recent agreement with Albemarle & Associates, Ltd. highlighted the ongoing discussions for land consultations and rezoning. Though the wheels are in motion, Kitty Hawk Town Manager Melody Clopton noted that there have been no direct communications in the works with Coastal Affordable Housing, indicating a level of uncertainty going forward.
As this unique situation unfolds, Coastal Affordable Housing is also eyeing a nearly 6-acre property in Manteo, with $600,000 already placed in trust pending property closing. The complexities of this endeavor are evident from invoices totaling nearly $275,000 for pre-development tasks carried out by their architectural partners, sfL+a Architects.
With pressing housing affordability challenges continuing to affect local residents, the community’s housing task force will remain active in seeking solutions. Dare County finds itself at a crossroads between fostering development and ensuring that the needs of its residents are met. One thing is for sure – as housing discussions unfold, community engagement will play a vital role in shaping the future of Dare County.
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