BY HAL MURRAY

Editor’s NOTE: Much thanks goes to Mr. Murray for his coverage of Edenton Town Council’s annual planning retreat — top notch coverage! Unlike mainstream media outlets, who believe that news should only come from them so that they alone can shape their version of the truth, the Albemarle Observer supports citizen journalists. If you have a story about our community that you want to send to us for consideration, email it to albemarle.observer@gmail.com

Hal Murray of West Queen Street has a PhD in chemistry and he is retired after 28 years with Exxon’s Research and Engineering Department. He not only attends council meetings, but Edenton Preservation Commission meetings. Murray is a noted sailor – Edenton Yacht Club. 

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I was fortunate to attend the Towns Council’s yearly planning meeting was held Monday, January 20, at Warren Grove Missionary Baptist Church, from 7:30 am until 11:30 am, so attendance at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the same venue would be possible.

Town Council discussed and reviewed the following topics: 

• Review and discussion of Town Department Priorities for 2025 and to develop list of achievable goals for 2025

• Review accomplishments/updates from the 2023 & 2024 calendar year(s) for Department Projects.

• Discuss major issues facing Edenton including infrastructure needs, affordable housing, land use, expanded recreational opportunities, commercial growth, etc.

• Update the Council on use of the American Rescue Funds.

• Discussion with our local MSE/ECP Executive Director of upcoming Economic Development projects.

Of particular interest to Edenton residents was the “Major Town Priorities Issues.”  Town Manager Corey Gooden was very clear that the 17 issues put forward for discussion were all priority and no attempt at rank-ordering was to be done.  The 17 town priorities are given below as they appeared on information from Gooden.  The text, italicized and indented text below each topic are highlights I gleaned from the discussion.

North Edenton: Focus on continued improvements for the Edenton Village Shopping Center (tenants); the creation of a North Edenton redevelopment zone for Residential Improvements; the creation of an Education District for the institutions of JAHHS, COA, B&G Club; and the Streetscaping (Paving, Sidewalks, and Lighting to accommodate improvements).

Zoning needs to be reexamined to see if higher density housing makes sense.  There is a very limited amount of multi-family housing in Edenton other than the public housing.  

Hotel Hinton: Apply pressure on SAGA to complete the Hotel Hinton Project or consider Town of Edenton ownership to develop site. Grant dollars for the Town seem the best finance option for the Town to improve the space. This could become mixed use for Community needs such as housing, a smaller hotel, and community event/use space.

Waiting to confirm this officially, but a very well-placed source suggests that SAGA received funding approval from a lender; we are probably looking at two years or more to see real progress at Hotel Hinton.

Hayes Farm: Release to the public the Interim Recreation plan for Hayes Outdoor space which include parking, walking trails, and public beaches. Finalize annexation of the Hayes site to assist with Town services (Roads, ROW, Trash, etc..) and future Town use of space (Equestrian retirement program & mounted patrol).

Priority-one is to save the buildings.  The bridge to Hayes has been examined and found to be adequate.  Resurfacing of the bridge may be considered.  

Harbor Towns: Utilize the (up to) $2 million in funding from the Harbor towns group to help the Town downtown improvements including – Completing a parking study and recommendations; improved town waterfront and boating facilities to their best uses; and downtown improvements such as lighting, more public restrooms; and possibly background music.

Harbor Town is looking for a full season in 2025.  Grant money is with Harbor Town.  Edenton can now start with improvement to the breakwater/waterfront.

Paving Cycle & ROW improvements: Complete a major round of paving throughout the Town. The Town should also focus on a paving assessment that would include the review of the roads paved and the new prioritization for upcoming streets (asset management). This plan should also consider items such as Sidewalks, Road Diets. Ward 4 requires continued efforts for sidewalk installation and stormwater improvements.

A map of streets paved in 2024 and plans for 2025 paving to be made available as significant progress has been made.  Town-wide sidewalks, should a bond be floated to accomplish this?  North Edenton is in particular need of sidewalks.

Town & County Relationship Improvements: Begin Monthly meetings with the Town Manager, County Manager, Mayor, County Commissioner Chair & rotating two (2) board members from each group to stay informed. These conversations will include the use of Swain Auditorium, Improved Recreation & Overall Recreation Development Plan, Long Term Agreement Review (fire, rec, DDE, [Destination Downtown Edenton] etc..)

There has been no progress on meetings as of yet.  There was much discussion about the recreation development plan.

Confederate Monument: If moved, consider the design needs for the new location & the upfit of the existing Town Center.

Because of ongoing litigation, the status of the Confederate Monument will be discussed in closed session. 

The update of the town center [if the monument is moved] is to be consistent and in harmony with renovation of town dock using Harbor Town grant funds.

Planning & Land Use review: Revisit the Towns Planning and land use Master Plans for updating the Zoning, Architectural/Design Standards (Town Wide), Expansion of the Historic Districts (& Nation Registry), Implementation of Green Belt.

Public hearing(s) are planned on these topics and would have significant implications for the aesthetics of the town overall.  Residents of Edenton are encouraged to attend these hearings. 

Housing: Work to create plans for local affordable housing that includes Down Payment Assistance Program, Loan Funding for Upper-Story Broad St redevelopment (residential), site development for Coke Ave property, and the consideration of additional apartment units. Consider zoning changes for higher density areas.

Zoning for higher density housing to be considered.  What would that do for housing values in the area?  Coke Avenue property receive a “clean bill of health” and may be a prime area for badly needed housing.  The Town will be working with a developer to explore what can be done with this space.

Neighborhood Parks: Finalize the Site Design and Construction for Park improvements. Consider expansion of existing parks and new locations. Two new amenities to consider (Dog Park & Pickleball courts) Recreation What is the likelihood that the county allows us to help/take some ownership with recreation? Is that a burden we can handle? (This ties to Neighborhood Parks). Revisit the 2022 Town Recreation plan for the Albania farm.

The expansion of the MLK park via land acquisition was discussed.  Consideration was given for new parks in area of town where easy access to parks is not possible.  

Destination Downtown Edenton (DDE): Helping Ches and other groups find tenants or a plan to fill vacant store fronts downtown (& Hotel Hinton items from item #2). Consider major overhaul of the organization structure, budgeting, and branding. Major Streetscape project for parking, lighting, crosswalks, and plantings. Expand seasonal light for improved regional and national recognition.

Hopes are high that the old Gordmans building will be redeveloped.  Destination Downtown Edenton is now operating as Mainstreet Edenton and appears to be in the process of a “major overhaul of the organization structure.”

Waste Water Treatment Plant: Finalize Phase I & II of WWTP [Waste Water Treatment Plant] project – this is renovation efforts and expansion design.

Waste Water Treatment is an infrastructure issue we tend to take for granted but is ever so important and makes Edenton a very comfortable place to live.  Gooden’s leadership in this area is to be acknowledged.

Salary Study This is currently underway and would be ready late March. These results will be a part of the FY25/26 budget. Focus on Employee Raises & 401K increases

The salary study will cover all town departments and will include the Edenton Ambassadors for the first time in many years.

Expanded use of Northeast Regional Airport: The 12-unit T- hanger is under construction early 2025. There is also one private hanger being built and one new interest for another private hanger. All available space is currently being marketed for commercial or industrial expansion.

The Edenton municipal airport enhancements involve plans to leverage package handling as this facility is currently number-six for package handling in the entire state of NC.

Bike/Walking trails or Greenways: Update the land use plan for areas to create greenways along the perimeter of ETJ. Mayor High & myself [sic] have made initial contact with railroad attorney. (Associated to the Planning & Land Use review topic)

EJT [Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction] being considered for bike and walking trails.  This is all part of the Land Use review.

Edenton Police Department: Filling the open positions, using the technology we invested in (shot tracker, cameras, etc.)

Chief David LeFon is the local representative for 15 counties with the Chief’s of Police association, congratulations!  The goal of shot tracker is to cover 100% of Edenton.  Presently, we are not there.

Last note: Although the annual planning meeting will affect the residents of Edenton, no input from the residents was allowed during the session since it was a planning session and not one of the standard monthly meetings where public comment is standard policy.