Board amends Martins Point zoning to measure docks from bulkhead, bringing many piers into conformity

The Dare County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a zoning-text amendment Jan. 5 that changes how pier length is measured in the Martins Point neighborhood on Gene Guy Creek.

Planning staff explained the current rule measures docks from the outer fringe of wetlands; because many shorelines in Martins Point have been bulkheaded and wetlands have diminished, adjacent properties now have inconsistent permitted pier lengths. The proposed text amendment would permit measurement from a bulkhead in defined sections of the creek, effectively allowing piers measured to 100 feet in certain areas where prior marsh measurements had produced longer allowances for older docks.

Homeowner Charles Turner told the board he recently rebuilt a dock permitted at 75 feet but paid to extend it to 100 feet and said the extra 25 feet meant about 1.5 feet more water depth at his location: "At 75 feet ... the difference in water depth between 75 feet for me and a 100 feet was a foot and a half," Turner said, arguing that parity with neighbors mattered for boat access.

John Finelli spoke on behalf of the Martins Point Homeowners Association and said the change would bring existing piers back into conformity and allow property owners to build to the same length as adjacent neighbors. The board discussed compliance with CAMO (state) rules and noted that narrow sections of the creek remain limited by state rules (25% of width), so the amendment applies only where allowable by state standards.

Commissioner Bateman moved to approve the amendment, the vice chair seconded, and the board voted unanimously to adopt the change.