Residents question SAGA development delays, Martinique relocation and Harbor Towns expenditures

By Nicole Bowman-Layton

EDENTON — The Edenton Town Council postponed a decision Tuesday, Oct. 13, on a proposed expansion of an automotive repair business along Johnston and North Oakum streets, giving town officials additional time to determine what conditions could be imposed to address concerns about the property’s appearance and its proximity to residential neighborhoods.

The decision came during a meeting that also included renewed concerns about the progress of SAGA development projects, opposition to relocating the historic Martinique house to the downtown waterfront and questions about the use of Harbor Towns funding.

The rezoning request, submitted by Dwayne Long, involves four parcels totaling approximately 0.57 acres at 1001, 1003 and 1005 Johnston St. and 1205 N. Oakum St. The application seeks to change the properties from R-5 residential zoning to conditional industrial warehouse zoning to allow an existing automotive repair business to expand into welding services.

Dawson Tyler, speaking on behalf of the Long family, told council members the expansion would provide another needed service in Edenton while allowing an established local business to grow.

Tyler, owner of Down East Preservation, said he became familiar with the Long family’s work through the mechanical repairs and welding services they provided for preservation projects.

He said the proposed expansion would include a welding shop, improvements to the existing building and changes to where vehicles awaiting repairs are stored.

The proposal calls for putting vehicles in a fenced area rather than leaving them visible along the street. Tyler said the improvements would create a more cohesive appearance for the property while supporting a business that already serves the community.

Councilman Elton Bond represents the 4th Ward where the property is located. He questioned whether the expansion would address complaints he has received about vehicles parked around the property and the appearance of the existing business.

Tyler said the proposed fencing and building arrangement would help address those concerns.

Assistant Town Manager and Planner Dewayne Whealton explained that the conditional rezoning would not open the property to unrestricted industrial development. Instead, it would limit the use to the existing automotive business and its proposed expansion, with requirements governing outdoor storage, screening and the overall site plan.

However, several council members questioned whether the proposed conditions were specific enough to ensure the improvements would actually occur.

Councilman Patrick Sellers (at-large) raised concerns about the town’s ability to require improvements to the property and suggested consulting the town attorney before making a final decision.

Other council members expressed support for allowing the business to expand but agreed that the town should establish clear expectations for the property’s appearance and operation before approving the rezoning.

Tom Gandy, who owns All Seasons Self Storage on North Oakum Street, opposed the proposal, arguing that the existing property is too small to accommodate an expanded automotive and welding operation without creating additional problems for neighboring properties.

Gandy emphasized that his objections were not directed at the Long family or the quality of their work. He said he respects people who take the financial risks associated with operating a small business and believes the services the Long family provides are valuable to the community.

“My concern is this: good business in the wrong place,” Gandy told council.

His primary objection was the property’s appearance and the potential effect of an expanded operation on surrounding development. He described the existing conditions as unsightly and questioned whether fencing, landscaping and other improvements would be sufficient given the limited space available.

Gandy said he has submitted plans to the town for approximately 30 apartments on property he owns nearby and is concerned about placing those residences across from the automotive business.

He also noted that council imposed landscaping and other conditions when approving his own storage facility several years ago. He urged members to consider the interests of surrounding property owners as well as those of the business seeking to expand.

Council members acknowledged the concerns but also noted that Gandy’s storage facility had faced opposition when it was proposed. Several emphasized the importance of treating businesses fairly while ensuring that appropriate conditions protect neighboring properties.

Mayor Hack High said the proposed rezoning presented an opportunity both to support a local business and improve conditions at the property.

Council ultimately voted to table the request until its special meeting later this month, allowing additional time to review possible conditions and obtain legal guidance.

Questions continue over SAGA projects

Concerns about the pace of development in Edenton also resurfaced during the meeting, particularly regarding projects associated with SAGA and the long-awaited Hotel Hinton redevelopment.

During public comment, Jimmy Alligood expressed frustration with development projects that have received town approvals but have not moved forward to construction. He questioned whether the town could establish deadlines or other requirements to prevent projects from remaining unfinished indefinitely.

Alligood suggested that developers should face consequences when they fail to make progress, arguing that the town needs to find ways to encourage construction rather than continuing to wait.

Town Manager Corey Gooden said the Hotel Hinton development team is reviewing its original construction estimates to determine whether costs can be reduced to fit available financing.

Gooden said town officials have remained in communication with the property owner and would provide another update when additional information becomes available.

The hotel project has been the subject of repeated questions from council members and residents as the town continues waiting for visible progress.

At the September council meeting, Sellers questioned how much longer the town should wait for the project to move forward. Councilman Samuel Dixon (2nd Ward) also expressed frustration with developers returning repeatedly with revised plans while previously approved projects remain unfinished.

Those concerns prompted town officials to consult the town attorney about what options may be available when development projects do not proceed as anticipated.

Gooden reported Tuesday that the attorney recommended additional consultation with the UNC School of Government regarding the town’s authority in dealing with such situations.

The town is also expecting a revised application for the Beechwood development, another project associated with SAGA. Gooden said the proposal may involve moving the planned development to a different parcel on property the company owns along Paradise Road.

JD Grant raised additional questions about SAGA’s proposed apartment development. Grant said he understood that the developer was preparing another application for a project that has been discussed for years.

He also expressed concern about land clearing near a pond on the property, saying he had received information about the possible presence of a protected frog species. Grant asked town officials to look into the situation. The environmental concerns he raised were not independently verified during the meeting.

The discussion reflected growing concern among some council members about the amount of time town staff and elected officials devote to development proposals that have yet to result in construction.

No formal enforcement action against SAGA was announced during the meeting.

Residents question Martinique relocation

Several residents spoke against plans to relocate Martinique, a historic house in northern Chowan County, to the downtown Edenton waterfront.

Harbor Towns funding will be used to move the house near the harbor and Colonial Park and convert it into a welcome center and museum associated with the Harbor Towns initiative. The proposed location is currently a parking area near the playground and Town Council chambers.

Edenton residents Steve Karl, Susan Ingles and Bill Whichard questioned whether the waterfront is an appropriate location for the building, citing concerns about the loss of trees, the character of the historic house and possible effects on views of Edenton Bay.

Karl said the house belongs in a rural setting rather than at the foot of South Broad Street.

He also objected to the possible removal of five trees to accommodate the relocation, arguing that preserving the town’s existing landscape should be a priority.

Whichard questioned whether the availability of grant funding was driving the decision to relocate the building.

“Don’t let grant money wag the tail. Make good decisions,” he told council.

Ingles, who serves on the town’s tree committee, also expressed concern about the potential removal of trees located near a cannon by the waterfront and said she would prefer a different location for Martinique.

The proposed placement, however, includes design considerations intended to address concerns about obstructing the waterfront.

According to plans previously discussed at a council meeting, the front of Martinique would align with the front of the Town Council chambers building at the foot of South Broad Street. That arrangement is intended to preserve the view toward Edenton Bay rather than placing the historic house farther into the existing view corridor.

Questions have also been raised about locating the building in an area subject to flooding. Town officials have previously said Martinique would be placed on a raised foundation, similar to the nearby Penelope Barker House, to address flood-related concerns.

Harbor Towns funding and waterfront repairs

Questions about Harbor Towns expenditures continued as town officials provided additional information about repairs to the Edenton waterfront breakwater.

During public comment, Doug Lane, commodore of the Edenton Yacht Club, questioned whether the town’s approach to repairing the structure would adequately address the forces responsible for its deterioration.

Lane, who said he studied ocean engineering, explained that wave energy can cause the pier structure to vibrate, potentially contributing to damage over time.

He suggested the town consider wave protection structures located farther into the water rather than relying solely on improvements attached to the existing pier.

Lane estimated that approximately $400,000 in Harbor Towns funding had been spent on repairs during the summer and questioned whether additional repairs would be necessary in the future.

The amount was Lane’s estimate and was not independently confirmed during the meeting.

Gooden also addressed questions raised at the September council meeting about Harbor Towns expenditures and the work completed on the breakwater.

He said he had requested an itemized breakdown of Harbor Towns funds allocated to Edenton but had not yet received the information.

According to Gooden, the completed work included 19 concrete encasement repairs to structural supports and repairs to one of five metal beams identified as needing attention.

The remaining four metal beam repairs are included in a Boating Infrastructure Grant application the town recently submitted.

Town Council previously approved an application for approximately $296,400 through the grant program, which requires a local funding match.

Historic district standards amended

Council approved an amendment to Edenton’s historic district standards that will allow property owners to seek permission to paint historically unpainted brick or apply certain other masonry finishes.

The change does not provide automatic permission to paint historic masonry.

Property owners must continue to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Edenton Preservation Commission, which will evaluate proposals individually.

Whealton explained that the amendment provides flexibility for treatments such as limewash, mineral-based coatings and masonry stains while retaining oversight intended to protect historic properties.

Council members noted that painted masonry has a long history in Edenton and agreed that the Preservation Commission should have discretion to consider individual applications.

Other town business

Council approved revisions to the Jackson Dairy residential development at 515 E. Church St. The changes divide the project into phases and adjust several cottage-home lots without creating a new subdivision. The original development requirements remain in effect except where specifically modified by the approved plans.

Council also approved increasing the town’s mileage reimbursement rate from 70 cents to 76 cents per mile.

Main Street Edenton representative Ches Chesson presented an update on the organization’s activities, downtown improvements and ongoing efforts to support local businesses.

Gooden reported that the town had completed an agreement with Carlie C’s IGA concerning the proposed grocery store project, while discussions with Chowan County about its participation remained ongoing.

Additional public comments

Several residents addressed other community concerns and upcoming activities during the public comment period.

Pat Grother again questioned the town about environmental monitoring wells associated with the waterfront area, including a former industrial site. Gooden said he was working to obtain the original monitoring reports and locations of the wells, which were installed as part of an earlier environmental review. He recalled that previous testing had shown no detectable contamination in the areas monitored, but the documentation was still being located.

Tina Ruzecki raised concerns about creosote-treated railroad ties left near the Cotton Mill neighborhood after railroad materials were removed. She questioned whether the ties could pose an environmental hazard and asked the town to investigate their proper disposal.

JD Grant also asked whether the town could address railroad tracks remaining at the intersection of Queen and Wood streets, saying vehicles crossing the tracks create considerable noise.

Karen Foley announced plans for an interactive Edenton Social Light app expected to launch in early November. She said the app would include a community events calendar, historical and shopping walking tours, and information intended to help residents and visitors explore Edenton.

Sally Francis Keyhayes announced an upcoming musical production about Penelope Barker and the American Revolution, scheduled for Oct. 24 and 25 at the John A. Holmes High School performing arts center. She said community support helped bring the production to Edenton as part of activities commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Ingles, in addition to her comments about Martinique, asked council to consider prohibiting data centers within town limits and the town’s planning jurisdiction. She said she was concerned about the possibility of such facilities being proposed in Edenton. Council took no action on the request.

Kermit Nixon thanked the town, Chowan County, the school system and other supporters for their work on the new tennis courts. He described the facility as an asset for local players and said tennis tournaments bring visitors who support area hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

Jimmy Alligood also raised concerns about downtown parking practices, particularly drivers making unexpected turns into parking spaces along Broad Street, and urged the town to consider additional enforcement.

Wayne Caskey addressed council, offering comments on community leadership and religious and educational matters.