THE CURRENT Your guide to current news & events from the Town of Oak Island, NC

March 20: Meeting Resumed

On Monday, March 20, at 4:00 PM Council resumed the February 13 meeting, which had previously been recessed due to time considerations.

The meeting began with a quasi-judicial hearing for a Special Use Permit for a mini-golf. Council requested, and the applicant agreed to recess the hearing until the May 9 meeting, to allow the applicant time to amend their request.

The meeting then entered closed session, after which the quasi-judicial hearing for a Special Use Permit for a hotel resumed from its February 13 recess. Councilmember Martin made a motion to move Council approve the special use permit for the hotel project, known as Boardwalk Place, WITH the following conditions:

1. The project must be built in accordance with renditions and drawings contained in Exhibit 3, with the exception that the wildlife preserve fencing can be replaced with wire instead of wood, and that the applicant will install crosswalk demarcation across E Dolphin Dr. & S Middleton Ave.

2. All assertions of the project narrative will be a condition an approval (examples include: 19 parking spaces added, a splashpad built, with public having access to all amenities except the pool & courtyard)

3. The applicant will build the infrastructure as described in Exhibit 12 as conditioned, and submit to a yearly inspection to maintain the wildlife preserve in a safe and structurally integral manner

Mayor Pro Tem John Bach added the condition that the applicant will provide a one-year warranty to the Town on infrastructure provided to support the project. Council then voted unanimously to approve the motion in a roll call vote.

Full video of this meeting, and the previously recessed February 13 meeting are available on Meetings Information page of the the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/MEETINGS, or by clicking the link below.

Fun At The Spring Fling Festival

On Saturday, March 25, 2023 the Spring season officially kicked off in the Town of Oak Island! Despite the blast of near-wintry winds, thousands came out to celebrate as part of the Spring Fling Market + Music event.

Residents, guests, and visitors were all welcomed at Middleton Park, where attractions for families of all walks of life were in abundance. This year's event hosted 136 artisan & food vendors, crafts, a Kid Zone featuring bounce houses, and an outdoor concert with local band the Fossil Rockers. From the first vendor tents going up in the early morning, until the last note was played at the concert around 8:00 PM, it was a full of day music, fun, and festivities.

While the Town's Mardi Gras Festival & Parade may serve as an "unofficial goodbye" to Winter, the Spring Fling is a very official "HELLO" to Spring. It leads into a whole host of spring and summer activities. From a Drive-by Bunny to the Summer Concert Series, the Town has already started delivering on the fun for 2023!

Fire Department Safety Brief: Our First Probationary Firefighter Graduate

(Contributed by Lee Price) The administration and staff of the Oak Island fire Department wish to CONGRATULATE BRAD MEDFORD (pictured) on his recent graduation from the Cape Fear Community College Fire Academy!

Brad is a Town resident and recently hired Firefighter. After completing his EMT courses last year, he then immediately entered the Fire Academy. He is a determined and hardworking individual, and a shining example of the promising future for fire service in this community.

Medford was hired as one of the Town's first Probationary / Cadet Firefighters. This program has proven greatly beneficial to both the Town and recruits like Brad, giving them a chance to learn the practical application of the job while working and also attending the Academy.

While working on C-Shift in Station 1, he would also and would attend the Academy Monday - Friday, from early morning to 5:00 PM. After class, Medford would come in on his shift days and work on his assignment, where he would talk about, review, and even practice what he learned that day.

Please join the Fire Department in congratulating Brad Medford on his achievements, and the stellar contribution he continues to provide to public safety in the Town of Oak Island.

Environmental Advisory Committee: Smart Yard Award

(Contributed by David Merkle) Is a “low maintenance yard” a SMART YARD? In the case of Paula & Darren Byerly (pictured), it definitely is. They set out a few years ago to make sure they carved out time to enjoy the beach, boating, and other leisure pursuits. That meant less yard maintenance time. But they still wanted an attractive yard with greenery, blooms, and local wildlife.

They were graced with an elevated lot with 10 mature live oaks and started from there. Mowing lawns didn’t fit into their picture-nor did landscaping that required a lot of attention. They started with a circular driveway in front along with a shorter pull-off driveway in the rear to accommodate a boat. In each case, a gravel surface was selected-more on that later. Several mulched bedding areas were added. The remainder of the lot was to be a mulched surface. New plantings were species native to our unique Oak Island climate that required less maintenance and less water needs.

Now to the environmental features. The gravel driveways created a surface allowing rainwater to percolate into the underlying soil instead of flowing into the street right-of-way as did the large mulched areas of the site. (Controlling stormwater runoff is an essential ingredient of the “Smart Yard” program ... we know that pollutants from fertilizers, weed killers, pest control insecticides, etc. that flow into our street Rights-of Ways also collect road pollutants ie. oil, gas, anti-freeze, transmission and brake fluid leaks eventually find their way to our fragile waterways). Installed downspout “diverters” carried stormwater collected by gutters from their house rooftop to mulched planting beds where the rainwater could be best utilized. The ten Live Oak trees drink a lot of water that might otherwise find its way to our already polluted Intracoastal Waterway where shell fishing, sadly, is already prohibited. The Byerly’s efforts were rewarded with a Smart Yard designation.

The Smart Yard program was originated by the NC Coastal Federation as a measure that individual homeowners could assist in anti-pollution efforts. To apply for the designation or to find out whether your yard could qualify; contact the Public Works Department at 910-201-8083, or click the link below.

(DON'T) Keep Your Business To Yourself

As the weather warms up, one of the more welcome sights throughout Town is the reopening of familiar businesses ... and the emergence of new ones!

There's been a lot of changes along Oak Island Drive, as well as many other parts of Town. This can be a little confusing for those who aren't here year round to watch those changes take place, or even those who are here and just don't pay attention! One important way many residents and visitors find the goods and services they are looking for is through the Business Directory on the Town Website.

The Oak Island Business Directory is a great way for nearly 120 business, services, and locations to share their information for free and connect with potential customers.

One critical note, is that the Business Directory is updated by submission only. If you or someone you know owns a new or developing business, or have had some changes to your existing business, make sure to email the most updated details to INFO@oakislandnc.gov, so that they can be included in the Directory listings.

To view the Directory, or submit an entry of your own directly, just visit the Business Directory page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/BUSINESS, or click the link below.

Stormwater Innovations: Proper Planning Saves Trees & Natural Areas

(Contributed by Rick Patterson, Stormwater Administrator) Many people ask how and who determines the way we calculate stormwater runoff on Oak Island. The simple answer is the State of North Carolina (NC) and the Federal government.

Our stormwater calculations have not changed since 2008 when the State of NC mandated its twenty (20) coastal counties capture the volume of rain produced by a 1.5-inch rain event from the lot’s impervious surfaces. These impervious surfaces typically include roofs, concrete, and pavement which do not allow the rainfall to absorb into the soil’s surface. The surface of swimming pools and wooden (slotted) decking is considered pervious and not included in the calculations. This polluted runoff is simply captured on the lot, filtered (through stone and sand), and released into the soil profile. Our stormwater calculations are based solely on the volume (1.5-inch) not allowed to absorb into the soil surface because of impervious surfaces. Our stormwater calculations do not increase sizing requirements based on soil type as our dominant soil is a (NeE-Newhan) fine sand. This this the dominant soil series on other NC barrier islands. The maximum percentage of impervious area a lot is allowed to have on Oak Island is 45%.

Innovative stormwater measures recently adapted on Oak Island include:

• Only allowing pervious materials across Town property for new driveways to help reduce street flooding.

• Allowing full infiltration credit for using alternative stormwater materials such as pervious concrete and pavers.

• Allow additional methods of capturing runoff for unique building designs and site conditions including bio-retention areas, dry wells, infiltration chambers, and stone trenches.

• Allow infiltration systems to be placed under driveways to reduce the system’s footprint, save trees, natural areas, and future planting sites.

• Allow bio-retention systems to be used as alternative to or in combination with traditional stormwater systems.

The stormwater requirements for most residential homes and businesses on Oak Island today can be met 100% by placing infiltration chambers under their driveways and parking areas. Additionally, the total footprint of the home’s stormwater management system can be drastically smaller in size by reducing roof areas and using pervious materials for driveways and decks. The placement of stormwater systems under areas that will be null of vegetation allows more room for the placement of essential underground utilities (sewer, water, electric, phone, and cable). Better underground utility placement planning will continue to be a needed service by home builders and designers as our modern homes continue to increase in size. Reducing our stormwater footprint along with using innovative materials and techniques can ensure our native plants and trees including live oaks continue to thrive on Oak Island.

To learn more about the Stormwater Department and its efforts to benefit the Town of Oak Island, just visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/STORMWATER or click the link below

2023 Earth Day

WHEN: Friday, April 14, 2023 • 10:00 AM -2:00 PM

WHERE: Middleton Park • SE 46th Street & E Dolphin Drive

WHO: All Ages

COST: Free to Attend

ABOUT: Go Green this Earth Day with Oak Island Recreation Department at Middleton Park. The perfect spring break adventure; this free event will teach islanders of all ages how to protect and take care of our planet. Numerous area conservation groups will be on site with informative and interactive stations as they share a wealth of knowledge about the needs of our planet. School groups are invited and encouraged to attend. For questions, or more information, reach out to Recreation Department Director, Heather O’Brien, at hobrien@OakIslandNC.gov or by calling 910-278-5518.

Ride The Tide: Community Kayak Float

WHEN: Saturday, June 3 , 2023 • Float Begins at 9:15 AM

WHERE: Recreation Center • 3003 E. Oak Island Dr. to Blue Water Point Marina

WHO: Ages 13 Years & Older

ABOUT: The Oak Island Recreation Department and Adventure Kayak Company will be sponsoring the annual Ride the Tide Community Float! This years event will consist of a 5.2 mile float from the recreation center kayak launch to Blue Water Point Marina. The Davis Canal is a calm and scenic paddle trail with the float taking place as the tide is flowing with paddlers. Come and paddle with us! For questions simply reach out to Program Supervisor, Ryan Gordon, at rgordon@oakislandnc.gov or by calling 910-278-4747.

KEEPING IT CLEAN is a top priority. As the Town's flagship representation of recreation, the Middleton Park Complex has to always put its best foot forward.

FUN FACT, most people assume park maintenance is under the "Parks & Recreation" department, but that's not exactly the case, and for good reason! Oak Island has a fantastic Recreation Department. They can plan events, hire bands, and lead kayak tours with the best of 'em! however, they're not exactly "subject matter experts" when it comes to things like building fences, laying sidewalk, or grading parking lots.

That's where the hardworking staff of the Public Works Department step in. Specifically, the Operations Division, which if you've been following the park features in The CURRENT for the past six months, you may have seen pop up a lot. This small but dedicated crew is responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of almost all of the Town's public park areas, in addition to the 67 Beach Access Locations.