ATLANTIC BEACH — Demolition of several condemned structures has begun at Peppertree Villas and should be done sometime next month.
Mayor Trace Cooper announced at the regular council meeting Monday he’d received word from Hope Carmichael, attorney for the Peppertree Villas Homeowner’s Association, on the ongoing demolition project, which began in November 2014 when nine buildings at the condominium complex were condemned and five had their exterior structures condemned.
Since then additional buildings have been partly condemned, and the project has grown to demolish 14 buildings completely and repair 11 others by taking down their condemned exterior decks, walkways and stairways and replacing them.
David Walker, town manager, said demolition on the first 14 buildings has begun and should be complete sometime in February. He said the HOA intends to have the remaining 11 buildings repaired and open in time for Memorial Day on Monday, May 30.
The buildings were condemned, or partly condemned, because they become unsafe, mostly due to age. Many of the buildings at the complexes are over 40 years old.
News-Times staff has received a number of phone calls and emails from people requesting additional information about Peppertree Villas and its demolition and repairs project. Staff has been directing these people, most of whom have said they’re share owners in Peppertree Villas, to contact Ms. Carmichael.
Anyone who wishes to contact Ms. Carmichael may do so by calling the Jordan Price Law Offices of Raleigh at 919-828-2501.
In other news at Monday’s meeting, two town staff members are getting ready to step down while a new face was introduced at the meeting. Mr. Walker announced Monday that Jessica Fiester, town planning and zoning director, and Donna Turner, town building inspector, will be leaving their positions.
Ms. Fiester will leave Atlantic Beach on Wednesday, Feb. 10, to take a position as the long-range planner for Pender County, while Ms. Turner is retiring Friday, April 15. She’ll be returning later, however, to work part-time with the inspections department.
Town staff has begun its search for a new planning and zoning director. Mr. Walker said Tuesday after the meeting he expects to name an interim director sometime soon, but didn’t give an exact date.
Ms. Fiester has served for nine years as the planning and zoning director. Mr. Cooper said the work she’s done will benefit the town for many years.
“You have a lot to take pride in,” the mayor said to Ms. Fiester, the council echoing his appreciation and wishing her well in her new position.
Meanwhile, town staff has already found a new building inspector. Mr. Walker introduced John Harold on Monday night. Mr. Harold comes to Atlantic Beach from Goldsboro, where he served for 10 years in the Wayne County Inspections Department.
Mr. Harold said he and his wife have planned to retired to Carteret County.
“I feel very blessed to be here,” he said.
While Ms. Turner will be retiring as chief building inspector after 15 years with the town staff, Mr. Walker said she’ll return to the staff later as a part-time inspector with limited hours.
The following also occurred at the meeting Monday:
•The council awarded a $536,540 contract to Artisan Concrete Services (doing business as Artisan Skateparks) of Kitty Hawk to build a proposed skatepark at the town’s municipal park at Coral Bay Plaza on Fort Macon Road, across from the Atlantic Station shopping center. Councilman Eddie Briley moved to approve the contract, seconded by Councilman Harry Archer.
•The council authorized Police Chief Jeff Harvey to apply for a $12,385 matching grant (of which $8,174 will come from the police department’s current budget) for body cameras and additional equipment. Mr. Archer moved to authorize Chief Harvey, seconded by Councilman John Rivers.
•During public comments, Amy McCotter said she and her husband, Charlie, have a stormwater flooding problem at their cottage on Cooper Avenue. Marc Schulz, town public works director, said staff plans to build a lift station on the southeast corner of Cooper Avenue to help improve stormwater drainage in the neighborhood. However, it’s a $170,000 project, which Mr. Cooper said is the kind of project they usually only do one of each year.
•The council reviewed its goals and objectives discussed at the council planning retreat Jan. 19.
•The council unanimously passed a laundry list consent agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Danny Navey moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Rivers.
•The council went into closed session to consult with the town attorney on the civil complaint filed by Nathan and Kenneth George and the Crystal View Homeowner’s Association against the town and 2800 WFM LLC. Councilman Ann Batt moved to go into closed session, seconded by Mr. Rivers.
Resource: http://www.carolinacoastonline.com
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