Save the Northern Outer Banks-Carova, Swan, North Swan, Ocean Beach, Sea Gull

Voices of Currituck:

We are over 1000 people who were able over the last two weeks to have our voices heard. There are more of us out there who will be contacted and who will join us in opposition to the proposed Commercial Development in the Off Road Area. Jointly we represent tourists to Currituck county, business owners in Currituck County, residents of Currituck County, residents of the Off Road Area, and real estate agencies.

• • Instead of destroying what is a very unique characteristic of Currituck County and, indeed, the entire United States, by developing the Four Wheel Drive Area, protect it and the wild horses at all costs. The County is acting short-sighted and greeding by giving in to developers who want to develop the four wheel drive area. Instead of following such a foolish plan, pursue the promotion of that area. It is one of the things that makes the Currituck County Outer Banks unique. It drives visitors from the Southern Outer Banks northward where they spend time and money in the county. It perserves a unique place in history and it a provides a truly rare opporutunity for tourists and residents alike. The county does a horrific job of promoting the wild horses and the four wheel drive area. It can be better promoted and should be to drive tourist dollars to the Currituck Outer Banks. Haven’t we had enough of short-sighted greed. Look to the long term and preserve the uniqueness of the Currituck Outer Banks.
• A large proportion of the Outer Banks of North Carolina have been commercially developed, it would be a travesty for the same to happen to the northern four wheel drive beaches of Corolla. It is a unique place for visitors and residents and should remain as it is. Commercial development would detract from the area’s appeal. Many people come to the area for the wildlife and horses.
• People choose to live in the off road area BECAUSE OF no commercialization not in spite of it. Tourist vacation in the off road area BECAUSE OF these undisturbed beaches not in spite of them. Once these beaches are commercialized that’s it. We’ve lost something we’ll never get back. That very fact that we are one of the few stretches of undeveloped beach along the Atlantic Coast is what makes our area so valuable. The saying less is best directly applies to us. Imagine 25 years from now what a gold mine the four wheel drive will be. All because home/land owners stood up to the greed of off road developement. Simply by honoring this beautiful God given area and restricting further development we can ensure the survival of our horses and our way of life on the off road beaches. There are some things money can’t buy. Our off road beaches are priceless. For all of those want to be off road developers, take your mastercards to the already commercialized beaches and use them there !!!!!!
• The value of this part of Currituck County resides in its unique character and the raw beauty of this special part of the world. There is nothing to be gained from commercialization of the Northern Beaches. People are drawn there in part because there is no commercialization. Short term benefits for developers and the County will be far outweighed on the negative effect for the entire area over the long term.
• Not every square inch of the Outer Banks needs to be developed. From first hand experience I can tell you that retaining refuge and green space helps property values more than development, e.g. Sanibel Island 63% in permanent undevelopment. Then there is the horses. If you allow development we have the Corolla problem again. This natural resource must be protected. A planned hotel at Swan Beach only helps the developer.
• As a property owner in the 4 wheel drive area of Currituck County I appose the proposed commercial development. The reason we have property in this area is the very absence of commercial development. There is more than enough commercial development in the OBX to suite the needs of the folks that want that atmosphere. We choose the 4 wheel, as do the majority of the citizens in this area for it’s natural beauty and uniqueness.
• I have been going to Carova since I was born, my father since he was 16. We have two plots of land down there and love every single minute we spend at Carova. It is perfect to me, a lovely get-away with no development. Its my favorite place to go, even now living in Arlington I still travel down with my family almost every weekend of the summer.
• This seems to come up every year. Please keep the commercialization on the hard surface road and not in the 4×4 area.
• Many of the tourists that come to Currituck County’s beautiful beach in the off-road area do so to get away from exactly what Friedman wants to put there. Hotels, shops, etc., etc. I know it must be a difficult job for you and realize the pay isn’t great; however, you do make decisions that affect the citizens of Currituck County as well as the tourists who generate operating dollars for the County. I was appointed to and worked on the Land Use Plan and spoke to many, many Currituck County residents on the mainland as well as in Corolla. There were no people who wanted commercial development in the 4×4 area. Apparently, Friedman did not take the time to show up at those meetings. Any current residents who operate commercial businesses in the 4×4 area should not be allowed to do so. Shame on the County for allowing that to happen! Please, once again, vote “NO” to the request to rezone the proposed commercial property @ Swan Beach.
• The undevelopmed aspect, and wild horses, all add to the value of this land. To begin development would truly ruin the get-away aspect of this beach. I hope I never in my lifetime see this beach developed into the next Nags Head or Corolla, it needs to stay undeveloped, that is the entire appeal of the area.
• Thank you for keeping this area the way it was intended from the beginning.
• Carova was voted one of the 10 best beaches in America several years back. Don’t overdevelop the area. Your decision will last forever – and the charm will be lost for the almighty dollar. When we purchased in Carova, we knew the lack of convenience to amenities – and we still purchased. Currituck will continue to make money without developing that beach. It’s the real estate companies that want the money. Why does the county feel they owe the real estate companies and developers so much attention?
• Much of the northern outer banks has been spoiled by poorly planned development and the influence of developers has gotten out of control. This area is not off limits to human settlement, it is a great pattern of low-impact development that is quite compatible with the local wildlife and compliments the False Cape State Park located in Virginia to the north. Preserve this last settled rural outpost of the outer banks.
• Having visited many coastal areas throughout the world, it was wonderfully surprising to find such an undisturbed, unique place. Allowing any commercial development will negatively affect the landscape, the environment, and hence the value of this unique place.
• I have seen other areas that were once pristine ruined when they opened the door to commercial development — when the development was to be limited — but over the years this has grown relentlessly. The results being population and building densities that negatively affect water tables, quality of life and ultijmately the quality of tourism because you cheapen the area. It becomes undifferentiated and highly competitive commercial market that leads to low cost drivers and motivators.Look at cancun that went from $300 a night in the 1980s to $80 a night now. And in the 1980s you could not get a room unless you book 6 months in advance. Now the occupancy is only 50%.
• Do and you ruin it.
• I live in WV and the main reason I come to the Outer Banks which is 6hrs away vs. Ocean City, MD which is 3.5hrs away is to go to the 4wd beaches! It’s seclusion and lack of commercial development is the major draw. I love the serenity and the wild horses that run freely in the area. It would be a sin to ruin one of the country’s only true 4wd beaches and it’s wildlife for just some more commercialization!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• With all the issues of the beach and driving safety, commercial property (especially high density apartments) will create more of a problem for the residents and tourists in the four wheel drive area. The four wheel drive area should remain residential only to blend with the state and federal parks. Why put a mini-mall beside a federal park? Why ruin one of the last beautiful residential areas in Currituck County? Why take away the reason that tourists visit the four wheel drive area to benefit only a few developers. The impacts on the community and residents will be negative, property values will decline, water drainage will be a major issue for the community, water tables will decrease and access to water will decline, too much sewage in a concentrated area will endanger the public health, the large density of people possible with a 50 room inn and apartments is not in keeping with the area, traffic to commercial stores will be dangerous for the general population and tourists, damage to the beach will be inevitable from large vehicles frequently servicing the inn, restaurant and stores. NCDOT requirements will require that all roads TO the property will have to be NCDOT. Who will pay for that? The residents? Who benefits — only the developer.
• Our beaches and surrounding areas will no longer be pristine if more masses of people keep coming in. The influx of tourists and day trippers have flooded the 4WD area more than ever before this past summer. If they commercialize the Northern beaches…..our beautiful area will not be enjoyable anymore. I’m heartsick at what is happening to this area. I can remember 40 years ago, standing on Penny Hill, looking at the surrounding landscape that God had created…..nothing but Sand Dunes and Sea Gulls as far as the eye could see. Now all you see is roof tops and traffic. I know we can’t stand in the way of progress. All we can do is remember when it was beautiful. God save our beaches.
• I have been to the outer banks nearly every year since 1974. My uncle built one if the first houses in Sanderling. I no longer have any desire to stay south of the roads end because of the increasing commercial activity. Swan, Carova and the other neighboring areas are a safe haven for me and 4 generations of my family. If this becomes commercial, we will simply go somewhere else. You will end 30+ years of vacations for our family in NC. We will spend our time and $$$ (add it up over 30 years) somewhere else.
• I find it odd that people move/visit Carova Beach because of it’s pristine nature and then find it necessary to build a 7-11 on every corner. If they want development they should try Corolla (it used to be like Carova-look at it now!) or better yet, I would be glad to help them move to Virginia Beach where they could have all the paved roads, stores & hotels they want! It’s not always about the DOLLAR! Maybe some controlled growth as in other coastal communities is the way to go.
• Bringing commercial to this area will do nothing but drive away the very people who come here to begin with!
• Commercial development is not the answer! Look around the eastern seaboard and recognize the marketing niche you have! DO NOT RUIN IT WILL COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT! We will never ever come back again if there is commercial there. Nor will our friends in Ohio and Washington DC.
• There are not too many unique places in the world left. Why would you ruin such a treasure?
• Having visited many coastal areas throughout the world, it was wonderfully surprising to find such an undisturbed, unique place. Allowing any commercial development will negatively affect the landscape, the environment, and hence the value of this unique place
• I have seen other areas that were once pristine ruined when they opened the door to commercial development — when the development was to be limited — but over the years this has grown relentlessly. The results being population and building densities that negatively affect water tables, quality of life and ultijmately the quality of tourism because you cheapen the area. It becomes undifferentiated and highly competitive commercial market that leads to low cost drivers and motivators.Look at cancun that went from $300 a night in the 1980s to $80 a night now. And in the 1980s you could not get a room unless you book 6 months in advance. Now the occupancy is only 50%. Do and you ruin it.
• It is truely one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited and the most relaxing vacation I’ve ever experienced. There are so few natural beaches like this left. Any commercial development would cause a heartbreaking loss to the people (both visitors and owners) and be devistating to the wildlife. This part of the Outer Banks is a very special place which should not be disrupted. Many folks travel from all over the East to escape their busy lives and enjoy tranquillity here. PLEASE preserve this treasure!
• It will totally change the character of the beach, and the Northern Outer Bank Beaches will no longer be unique – who would want to drive this far to be at “just any old ordinary beach” Please don’t let the Four Wheel Drive Area be commercially developed, I think all wiil be sorry if that happens. Thank you.
• This area and the animals contained in them are a precious resource that should not be squandered by over development. Our entire family recently spent a week in this section of the outer banks. We came from five different states and most traveled over 1,200 miles to see this beautiful landscape. We have already planned another trip for next year. If this area or the horses are lost, we will not return to the Outer Banks. Instead, we will choose from one of the other 1,000 over commercialized beaches all over the United States.
• What makes our area unique is that we dont have commercial development. This is the last unspoiled place on the east coast, dont destroy something unique just for shops. If you want to shop or go to the post office, drive the extra 5 miles and go to them in Corolla. Corolla wants the shops and tourism, we like our community how it is!
• Any change in the UDO allowing for an increase in the intesity of use in the 4WD area will forever change the character of this area. Change carrries with it the potential to make this area a fiscal liability for the county due to increased services which will be required. Sound economic development policy begs for the county to allow this area to become more value because it is different, and look for ways to enhance the differences. To change the UDO to please one commercial interest would be a travesty. Even though Mr. Friedman is sponsoring this proposal, the Twiddy group is the first and primary benefactor. The 4wd area is the last frontier for business growth for the Twiddy companies. All of their proposals, (Zoning, and road improvements) would enhance their business, and make it easier and more profitable for them to do and grow their business in the area. But at what cost? Please look at a permit system as an econmoic development tool. Please look at revising the UDO and Land Use plan to ensure that this area forever remains a haven for the waterfowl and wildlife that defines Currituck County as a desirable place to live and visit. Sometimes change is just not good. This is defintely one of those times.
• please leave our beach alone. have yall not see what can happen look at corolla it is a nightmare to get around in the summer. we have allready got more than enuff tourists completely messing up the beach and the way of life that all of us property onwers have enjoyed in the previous years. if you want supplys go to food lion, ace hardware, harris teeter or any of the thousand other stores allready on the currituck outer banks. we do not need or do we want any stores in the 4×4 area. thank you
• I live in Virginia Beach and visit Corolla several times a year to get away from tourist and hotels. Where I live has been ruined and there is no turning back. I truly hope and pray that you do not ruin the natural beauty of your county by allowing hotels and urban sprawl. Who will fight for the piping plover, sea turtles, and the wild horses???? I guess it will have to be me. By the way, I have never seen any of the wild horses while visiting there. I suppose it is due to the fact that I am not willing to pay someone to drive me around and tear up the beach. I prefer to hike it. Have a good day.
• Some of us have had to wait the greater part of our lifetime’s to find the beauty of the outer banks and be able to visit this beautiful land. When we visited there last year, we fell in love with this area and the Corolla Wild Horses. We’re very grateful that it’s beauty and serenity have been preserved. I’ve told many people of how pristine this part of the outer banks was when we were there and they can hardly imagine it. Do you realize how fortunate you are to have the opportunity to save this beauty? Please save this beautiful area from commercial development and the mess that goes with it. Please do the right thing. Thank you for your consideration, Sheron Landry
• The way the 4×4 Northern Beaches are right now with the wild horses running free are why we visit, the peaceful, private and natural enviroment. If the 4×4 beaches were set up for commercial why would anyone to visit anymore?? Why can’t everyone leave well-enough alone!
• I would not even venture into North Carolina for my vacation if it wasn’t for the wonderful solitude of Carvoa Beach! I have not found another place in the USA that brings me such peace. To allow commercialization of this natural area would be a sin.
• Leave the unspoiled beaches and Wild Horses of North Carolina alone! If everyone wanted to visit a commercial area for vacation, we would all go to New York City! It is such a shame that people from out of state are too interested in making money, and ignore the natural beauty that is FREE! What good is the money if you don’t have anything to enjoy? Do Not commercialize the northern beaches of North Carolina! We have ruined enough of them already!
• My family has been vacationing in Corolla for the past 7 years. It is an annual tradition to take at least 3 day trips to the 4×4 area to see the vast beach, wild plants, wildlife, and especially the spanish horses. I am sickened and dismayed that Currituck Commissioners would even entertain an idea of permitted any type of commercialization in this area! We have purposely chosen North Carolina beaches, and in particular the Currituck County beaches because they do not look anything like the New Jersey, Deleware, and Maryland beaches! If any of the commissioners have not visited those beaches, I suggest they take a trip during the summer months! You can barely walk on the beaches! And when you finally do find a spot to put your blanket, you may not even see the water! In addition, your “neighbors” are only inches away! I would be thoroughly disgusted to see the Currituck Beaches turn into these beaches. And commercialization, and the eventual road that will follow will begin the slow and painful decline of those beautiful beaches. And I haven’t even begun to mention the horses! PLEASE visit those aforementioned beaches! If you are able to see any wild spanish horses there that are like your horses in the Currituck 4×4 area, please let me know. I will gladly take my money that I spend in your state and your county to those beaches! Even in the last seven years, I have been seeing a difference in the amount of traffic on the beach road. People are coming to see your beaches, but do they value what they are seeing? I wonder how plopping commercial properties on top of all this will change your wonderful beaches? I don’t know. But what I do know is that if that happens, sadly our family will not be able to continue our family tradition to the top of the Currituck Lighthouse, trips to 4×4 beaches, trips to Manteo, strolls by the Whalehead Club and more. I suppose we’ll have to find another county that values it’s natural resources and uniqueness. Please uphold the Land Use Plan and UDO which clearly restricts the commercial developement.
• IT’S BAD ENOUGH THAT IN THE SUMMER WE CAN’T ENJOY FISHING BECAUSE OF TOURISTS…BUT IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE LAST BIT OF NON-COM.,WHERE COULD WE GO THEN…IN THE SUMMER WE CAN TAKE OUR KIDS,DRIVE OUT AND LET THEM ENJOY THE BEACH…LOOK HOW LITTLE THE BEACH HAS GOTTEN SINCE THE GATES MOVED FROM SANDERLIN..
• We should not have to continue to fight to preserve Currituck County’s beautiful beaches. The commissioners should want this, too. The tourist dollars you will gain from this “commercial” venture will not exceed the tourist attraction you have from people who come to the beach to see the horses, wildlife and beautiful beaches. Why not “control” the current traffic by ceasing all of the beach tours and purchasing 4×4 vehicles with County employees conducting the tours. You must also limit the day trippers. That way the County will make even money. The 4×4 area could become an extended Corolla as you apparently want without ruining what you have. Everytime I hear the song “they paved paradise and put in a parking lot” I think of our beautiful beach that apparently everyone but us wants to destroy.
• The Banks are being destroyed by overgrowth and too much traffic on our beaches as it is. Why would you want to add to that ? Yes I know, the almighty dollar is at the root of all of this and not the good of all the the people who want to perserve this little strip of fragile land. It is just to benefit a few greedy people who do not really care about anything their pocketbooks . That is the only thing they value, what a sad life .
• It is the ONLY place left for the locals to get away. The rest of the outer banks has been built for tourist, Leave us this one small area ! If you take this from us, where will us locals take our familys for a weekend trip when we can’t go to any of our own beaches anymore.
• A large, lightly developed, rural residential area is a rarity on the East Coast. Currituck County should protect this unique asset and avoid the sprawl that exists along much of the US Atlantic shoreline.
• My parents are property owners in the 4×4 area in North Swan. I am 18 years old and have been vacationing on a regular basis to this area for almost ten years. In the past years beach traffic has increased and the southern area of the 4×4 beach has become a lot more corwded. This is a danger to tourists, residents and even the horses. This new commercial zoning plan would only increase beach traffic even more as well as add to crowding on the northern areas of the beach. Also, as a surfer the 4×4 beaches are an area where I can go to escape the crowded summer line ups of nearly every other east coast beach. Coming to swan beach is a safe haven for surfers because there is rarely ever any danger posed by crowded waters. This new plan would undoubtedly crowd the shorelines which would in turn create problems between surfers and those in the water.
• I am a registered voter in Currituck County. Commercialization of the Currituck Off-Road would be the beginning of the end to this unique area, a uniqueness that draws tourists and that stands out against hundreds of beaches on the Atlantic seaboard. The UDO was written with certain restrictions for a good reason, among which is to protect the fragile environemnt and retain the rural beach character of the Northern Currituck Off Road Beaches. NO to commercialization of this very special place.
• I just returned from visiting Carova beach and I was stunned by the amount of development there since my last trip. It is starting to look like the NJ shore. The horses are already being disturbed by constant jeep, blue bus and silver van tours. More development would only increase the impact on what makes the area worth visiting in the first place.
• FYI, there is already an historic distric present. It is the natural area that is historic, not some cheap construction material shipped in from China! The historic area is a joke, just some greedy builder trying to develop the last pristine section of beach in OBX. If the current economic times are any lesson, we need to get back to basic’s, and build homes that are environmentaly friendly and appropriate fot Swan. These “Mega Mansion’s” are ugly hotels put up by money hungry developers who care nothing about our natural area. Have we learned nothing from the current economic situation of greed in this country? Wake up people. “Save Swan Beach”. Peace….
• This proposal, and its predecessor, fly in the face of reason. It is folly to pursue plans which are in contradiction to the voices of the Planning and Zoning Departments, in violation of the recently adopted Land Use Plan, in opposition to the will of the people who live and/or own property there, ignore the recent CAMA flood maps, and destroy state, national and county stewardship of a unique area so keenly important to nature and wildlife.
• I live and work in corolla during summer months. The reason we bought there was because of the quiet. I live on the corner of hilltop and albatros. right beside the proposed overlay. We have enough commercial areas in corolla. Build another fire station for swan if something usefull must be built.
• This is one of last frontiers of the USA. Have we done enough dammage through out the rest of the country?
• My wife and I bought property in Carova because we enjoyed the wildlife and wild horses roaming free and enjoy spending time there to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the week. We support reponsible residential development but do not want to see the things that make Carova unique from any beach in the country slowly go away.
• To begin commercial development in the Carova, Swan and North Swan Beach and Sea Gull areas will eventually require paved roads and other such amenities not already part of the area. These additions to the landscape will greatly change the area that property owners and guests frequent for one main reason, the rustic nature of the environment. Furthermore, such commercial development will only increase traffic and the tourist population which is one of the main issues facing everyone buying or renting in the area.
• This is one of the very few natural areas. We live here and vacation here because of it’s simplicity. There are plenty of places to build commercial buildings. Please leave our beaches alone.
• There is no other place like this in the USA, open beaches, wild horses, and freedom from the rest of the world. Why would we want to make this LIKE every other place in the USA?! If people want hotels, neighbors who are too close to each other yet don’t know one and other, and a bunch of tourists clammering for a spot on the beach they can go to NJ or Florida! Keep these type of people away from my beach!
• It’s a crime that I pay over $ 6000 a year in taxes to Currituck County and I have to find out about this vote from concerned citizens instead of from the county government by some sort of mail notification. Seems they are always trying to slip things through!!
• My husband and I have only lived in Currituck County for 15 months, but we feel a part of this beautiful area and we are opposed to any commercial zoning in the RO2.
• I am against any commercial development in the off road beach area. I also believe that public beach access to the off road should be a daily pay for the access situation.
• Do not destroy the only part of Currituck County unlike any other place in the world. This is what makes us special from the other beaches. Please there is no turning back once you have made this mistake. Preserve our beach.
• We are suppose to be a single family dwelling community and the corporations an private sectors have been building all these multiple family rentals, which was not suppose to be. We do not need any commercial development for the renter’s. They can stop in Corolla before they go north on the beach or later for the day. It is only a nine(9 to 12)to twelve mile drive. We’ve been doing it for years. So say no to the proposed rezoning. Thanking you, Jacquie Wedeman
• I am a regular visitor to this area and the proposal would have a serious and adverse impact on an area that is unique but very fragile. Don’t compromise this wonderful aspect of the county. I visit because it is so different than other parts of the Outer Banks
• I use to live on the Outer Banks, south of Oregon Inlet. What was a lovely peaceful attractive inviorment is becoming more commercialized and distasteful every year. So I moved out in 2003. I visited the last two years and most likely won’t come back due to ALL the so call wonderful changes. I do visit friends on the Currituck beachs as well as the area. Please keep things as they are; in the natural. You want to mess up things? Then mess up the Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head area it is already commercial and keep that YOUR commercial area and add all the extras you want.
• I would urge the current commissioners to once and for all say NO to this proposed overlay district and insure the residental nature of our fragile area. With the amount of property platted the same in Carova Beach and the recent closing some platted roads, as was done in Swan Beach, only opens the door for this type of unecessary commercial development. Please remember the impact of such large septic and potable water demands on an area already over developed by todays standards. With no future ability to build sewage trearment plants on barrier strands, the negative impact will be greater than any benefit not to mention the loss of this unique area and community.
• In addition to the safety of the wild horses and the natural beauty of this 4×4 area, someone needs to realize what kind of traffic problems this will cause on the beach itself. The area of Swan Beach suffers from erosion more than other area beaches in the 4×4 area. Where are all of those people that are going to be staying at that 50 room hotel going to park while enjoying the ocean? They’re going to park right on the beach at Swan resulting in a log jam and congestion of traffic. It will be a traffic nightmare for people trying to commute up and down the beach.
• The Banks are being destroyed by overgrowth and too much traffic on our beaches as it is. Why would you want to add to that ? Yes I know, the almighty dollar is at the root of all of this and not the good of all the the people who want to perserve this little strip of fragile land. It is just to benefit a few greedy people who do not really care about anything their pocketbooks . That is the only thing they value, what a sad life .
• Please honor the Currituck County Land Use plan, which specifically states that the Northern Outer Banks is NOT an appropriate place for commercial development due to many factors. The land should be preserved for future generations and environmental sustainability.
• The 4-wheel drive area must remain clear of commercial developments. It does not have the infrastructure or access to support this type of development. It would also be detrimental to the well-being and living area of the wild horses. There is adequate and sufficient commercialization in the remainder of the Currituck outer banks.
• The land use plan is self expanatory–no commerical development–how simple is that !!!

• Please help us keep this area from commerical development.

• No commercial development in the 4×4 northern beach area!!!!!
• This land need to be keep free from destruction. It is only one of few wonderful, natural places left.
• i want to be able to drive on the beach .
• if they put this through i believe it will be the beginning of the end of the horses and driving on the beach as we know it now. we do not want pine island all the way to the virginia line
• Please add us to those opposed to this development
• absolutely not
• no way
• The horses of Carova Beach need our protection. Stop the madness, while we still can!!!
• We are adamantly opposed to any such development in the Swan Beach area and the entire 4X4 area. Such development would negatively affect the Swan Beach environment forever.
• Soon to be a propert owner in Carova in approx. two weeks and very opposed to the request.
• This entire area is clearly not able to support ANY commercial development. Any commercial development would be devastating.
• nottill water and sewage are here how are they going to service the property with no road
• No Commercial Development in 4X4 Area EVER!!!
• This is one of the few unique beach areas left in the US. To commercialize or ulter the off -road beaches will ruin the commercial value of the Northern Outer Banks.
• Commissioners we need your support on this one!!!
• Leave it alone. There are already so many big houses there that obstruct the beauty of the area, we don’t need or want commercial structures to add to the problem.
• In order to keep the integrity of the northern beaches we must not allow this commercial development.
• I am opposed to commerical development in the 4 wheel drive area of Currituck County Outer Banks. Let’s keep some area in its natural state.
• This area should be for nature and wild life only
• I have been coming to Carova for 50 years and am now a resident. I do not want commercial development in the 4-wheel drive area. I love remoteness and the wildlife and that is why most of live here. I fully believe that commercial development would spoil this area. If people want stores hotels etc, they should stay in the paved road area.
• We need to save this beautiful area…no commercialization, please…the area is too beautiful and peaceful to destroy.
• Please keep our beaches free from commercial development of any kind.
• This is a unique area. Don’t ruin it.
• I & my husband both oppose any amendment to the UDO that would allow any commercial development in the RO2 area (4 wheel drive area; Corova, North Swan Beach, Swan Beach, Sea Gull. We oppose any rezoning request for an overlay district in any of the mentioned areas located in the RO2 area.
• Allowing the commerical development would be devastating to the wildlife, beautiful beaches and property values. Please vote “NO”.
• I vote no to any amendment to the UDO that would allow commercial development in the four wheel drive area.
• I vote no to any amendment to the UDO that would allow commercial development in the four wheel drive area.
• Please keep our beautiful beaches and sound as natural as it can be. When it is gone, there will be no more.
• I am adamantly opposed to having the proposed commercial development in this 4-wheel drive area at this time.
• No need has been made for such an amendment. The amendment will lead to unnecessary and unwarrented development.
• With all of the commercial development south of the four wheel drive area, we do not need to spoil this beautiful area.
• If the beach is commercialized, this would not set our beach apart from others in the country. With commericialization, the beach will begin to deteriorate, what would happen to the wild horses and other wild life that roams freely.
• the interests of residents and property owners are being overridden at every turn by this council. Developers seem to rule Currituck County, not taxpayers.
• Please vote NO to the requested UDO amendment to allow commercial zoning in R02 area. Thank You
• we own a second home in north swan…NOT a rental property….NO commercial
• No Commercial development!!!!!
• We own a second home in The Currituck Club in Corolla, but live in Virginia.
• gerald friedman has ruined the outerbanks enough
• We have opposed this before and will continue to do so. A commercial area is not needed or wanted.
• This is my second petition because I believe I forgot to check the “signature” box on my first petition.
• The 4 wheel drive area must remain as it is … no commercial development. There are enough commercial areas in Corolla to meet the 4 wheel drive area needs. Residents and visitors chose to live and vacation in the 4 wheel drive area to get away from it all … not to live and vacation in a “strip mall”.
• The four wheel drive area must remain as it is … no commercial development.
• The wild horses are a HUGE attraction for our visitors. Development would threaten their existence.
• My husband and I had purchased property at Carova Beach to enjoy the beach atmosphere in a rural enviornment. We especially enjoy seeing the horses roam around the properties.
• We would like to know where each of the candidates for the BOC stands on this important topic. We would like to see them express their stands in writing through the CCC. Thank you.
• Please leave one tiny section of the Currituck beaches free from commercial ugliness and destruction! Please leave one bit pristine and beautiful and serene. Thank you!
• No developement in last natural area in Outer Banks !
• Enough is enough with development.
• The proposed UDO amendment only serves the greed of a developer not the interest of the Northern Beaches (4X4 area ) its enviroment & plant & wildlife & yes the wild mustangs. As voters, full-time residents & tax payers we vote no to any amendment to the UDO as it stands. We elect you to Office to represent us not the developers.
• I’d also like to increase the size of the herd of horses.
• If I would have wanted to live in Corolla, I would have purchased land and built my home there! Permit System should be mandatory and is necessary for 2010. The beach was almost impassible this summer (2008) due to tourist.
• I am strong opposed to the planned commercial development in this area.
• I have been frequenting Carova Beach for 25 years and am VERY OPPOSED to any commercial zoning in Currituck County.
• No commercial zoning or development
• ANY commercialization of these northern beaches (in an already and increasingly over-commercialized Outer Banks) is unacceptable. Leave it the way Nature made it!!!
• i believe swan beach should remain a residential area
• We vacation several times a year and would hate to see this happen.
• My home in North Swan is a second home NOT rental property…..hopefully it will be our permanent retirement home soon
• We would appreciate the board of commissioners to not vote no in the above request as well to declare this “dead” or expired so that this no longer becomes an issue between the residents and taxpayers and the board.
• Please–no commercial north of the old Winks store in Carolla.
• We are hoping to move to Corolla or Duck as soon as we sell our house in Chicago. This might take awhile! But we love the area and especially the horses. There are hardly any other places in this country with the treasure that you have. Why spoil it to make it look like every other dumpy place in America? How many strip malls does one need!
• all the facilities that have been proposed can be found on other portions of our island. this is one sanctuary that takes us away from those facilities and brings us back to the true outer banks.
• Please save the horses! Haven’t we destroyed the natural lands enough???
• As a tourist to the area; I enjoy that the herd has its own space on the island and I would like for it to remain that way. I know that my enjoyment of the land is enhanced by their being there in their natural environment and would prefer to return to the area more often if they were to remain.
• My parents are residents of northern Currituck County and I have been visiting them for many summers. It absolutely sickens me to think of what could happen as a result of commercial development in the four wheel drive area. Not to mention the peace and serenity that will forever be destroyed for residents and property owners, but imagine what this would do to the livelihood, the safety and the freedom of the wild horses. My parents moved to the northern outer banks to get away from the well-developed areas in Nagshead and Kill Devil Hills. Turning the northern outer banks into a circus with paved roads and hotels will destroy their dreams of retiring in peace and serenity. Please accept my signature and my request to uphold the current land use plan that restricts commercial development in the four wheel drive area.
• It is important to preserve this area for future generations; we don’t want our children thinking horses are only in zoos!
• we are homeowners in northern dare and love to visit this unspoiled paradise, within limits! PLEASE don’t let happen there what has happened elsewhere in the northern banks!
• Please save the outer banks. Thank you.
• Thank you for saving this american natural wonder for generations to come
• STOP DEVELOPING EVERY INCH OF LAND! THE HORSES BELONG HERE; YOU DON’T!
• Allowing commercial development in this area of the outer banks of North Carolina should not be allowed. There is plenty of commercial development in the other areas of the Outer Banks that is more than sufficient for the area. If this is allowed, the Outer Banks will become just another beach town that is overdeveloped and way too crowded.
• As a 32 year resident of Dare County, I have often enjoyed the only get away that is left on this beach. It would be a travisty to see this development be allowed to move forward.
• Please leave as it is now, does not need any glorified enterprises/industry there.
• I cannot believe that someone wants to commercialize swan beach.Im a resident of kdh an with what has happened to our south beaches orv plan carova is our only non commercial beach an needs to stay that way!For the protection of our enviroment an our wild horses an the residents that live year round.To be on the beach an watch the horses roam is like nothing else in the world.We have ample of commercial development in corolla an thats enough.I’ve been coming corova since i was a little girl by boat or by driving .When we would drive there was no houses commercial buildings now look at it now!We do not want that to happen to corova.Im now 49 an just spent last weekend in paradice please save corova and our horses!Sincerely,DorothyEdwards
• It amazes me to what extend greed reaches. The love for this land and our country by knowing it is sacred must one again be at the forefront of our decisions and not money!!!!!
• You have got to be kidding. Of course, Land use Plans are made to be ignored, didn’t you know?You’re going to rezone the last pristine stretch of its kind on the east coast. Somebody is greasing some palms on this one. Vote them out!!
• MYSELF AND OTHER FRIENDS DRIVE SIX HOURS TO COME TO THIS BEACH TO ENJOY IT. IF WE WANTED TO GO TO THE BEACH FULL OF HOTELS AND SHOPS WE NEED ONLY DRIVE 2 HOURS TO OCEAN CITY MARYLAND.
• If you have been to the Outer Banks and had the pleasure of seeing this continent as close to the way it was prior to our “invasion”, you would keep eckerds, food lion et all where they belong! on the paved roads. Please save somthing of our heritage for future generations.
• Commercial development takes away natural habitat ~ it can never be replaced after destruction. Please regard the beaches as they are without purpose change. The Outer Banks are slowly leaving us anyway because of errosion, let’s enjoy nature while it’s here! Leave it be for those of us who want peace and quiet in an ever changing world of commerce.
• Although I don’t own, my husband and I use my parents home in Carova 2 weeks every summer and almost every weekend in between. I’ve been enjoying this stretch of beautiful beach since 1972 and would hate to see it tainted with commercial development. Let’s keep the beach as it is so everyone can enjoy it’s relaxing, peaceful atmosphere for many years to come! Kelley Oubre
• My daughter lives on the Outer Banks and we spend lots of time there. We love the horses and do not want to see them chased away. Where will the next generation have to see beautiful wild horses if we keep building and do not leave any land for them to roam.
• What will happen tot eh wild horses inthe area. I can remeber as a child being taught the story of how the horse came to be ont he island. Will we give up that part of our living history? The motivation here is simple greed. At some point we must say no to those who’s motiviation is money. Let that point be now.
• I love the norther “off-road” beaches the way they are. Its what makes it so special and its the only reason my family and I visit each year.
• Please vote NO. Once it is changed, you can’t change your mind.
• We have visited the area for summer vacation. Please don’t spoil this place!
• I vote no
• If people are allowed to bring a commerical aspect into the area, it will my opinion that the idiots will continue to bring nothing but problems to a place that we should be defending, not commericializing.
• Some areas need to be left with minimal development. This is one of them.
• Please don’t do this to the last remaining stretch of pure land in NC. Don’t take the last remaining piece of land the horses can live on in safety
• We are long-term vistors to the four wheel drive area, and we are property owners in Corolla.
• Keep the beauty just the way it is. The horses deserve to have at least what they have left to roam free.
• Rezoning this land would be damaging to the natural enviroment and take away from the appeal to even visit such a beautiful and natural place, not to mention the fact the reason why people visit: to see the wildlife and horses! By rezoning would defeat the purpose to even visit these areas verses other areas…
• My wife and I are in the process of purchasing a lot in Swan Beach. We are certainly opposed to such a proposal.
• Friend of many home owners in the Carova area go down all year round potential home owner of Carova in the next year.
• this a natural 4 whhel drive access with wild horses and open spaces that need to remain that way no room for hotel and more people
• i cant believe that anybody in their right mind would conceive such an idea. it all about the all might dollar! the people who destroy these areas have no interest what so ever in the long term. greed is all that is on their mind. i would be willing to lay down in protest to stop such ddeevelopement! wake up people. i can almost guarantee that the money is not local. my guess is that it goes much farther “north”, if you get my drift. please stand firm. dont buy into the lies!
• The last thing OBX needs is additional tourism construction. There are too many empty bldgs now. Building on such a pristine area, especially near the horses is not just mercenary and unnecessary, it’s frankly immoral.
• please don ot commercialize the four wheel drive area there are enough stores and junks shop just ashort drive from the beach. The wild life in the area are already binging pushhed by the constant building of new homes.
• Please do not allow any more development. The northern beaches are already loosing their beuty and wildlife to rental homes and tourists that do not respect our beaches.
• Commercial development will not only destroy the wildlife of this fragile area, but continue to degrage the water quality of the surrounding area with pollutants from the anticipated stormwater runoff. Let’s not trade our fewer remaining areas of untouched environment for more commercial blight and pollution.
• My family owns property in Corova Beach. I have enjoyed the area for the last fifty years. (All my life) This is one of the few areas left without commercial development. There are plenty of lots for sale. If someone wants to enjoy the area, they should buy or rent property and not try to change it. People seem to want to rent property for vacations because of the unique area. Why make it commercial like thousands of other vacation areas.
• I lived in Carova from the time I was 3 until I turned 18. My family is one of the original families who still live in Carova. (Parents and Brother/Sister N law) I have seen a lot of changes in my life that have happened to Carova and this is definitely not one that we/I want to see.
• NONONO
• The reason we visit on North Swan Beach is because it is so beautifully pristine and non-commercial. We would not visit if it were commercialized.
• stop the development
• why fill an area with what we try to get away from?
• The thought of commercial development is unconscionable. The area for the horses is restricted enough. If anything, the crazy drivers on the beach should be fined and forbidden from access in the future. The horses are afraid of all the cars anyway. They do not come out as freely as they otherwise would. I am a horse owner and have a deep appreciation for them and their beauty. Keep this as natural a habit for them as possible. That is why many of us come Currituck. No horses, no visitors.
• I was a regular in the Outer Banks until development overtook the area. We only came back when we got a 4-wheel drive to stay in the pristine areas that are less populated. If commercial zoning is approved, you’ll lose our money & likely many others’ money as well.
• We visit and vacation may times a year and would hate to see this happen. Its the whole reason we go there.
• You have already pushed the wild horse back and given them a smaller area to survive. Commercial zoning would be detrimental to them. Preserve the area as much as possible. With more and more people renting in there is bad enough but the ones who live there year around, are the ones who will suffer along with the wild life!
• My family, friends and I have been vacationing in the Outer Banks for generations. Do not commericalize these off roading areas, STOP COMMERICALIZING PERIOD! The Outer Banks are beginning to loose that rural charm. Now I do understand commerce growth and development but we are taking this to a new level. Stop before you turn the Outer Banks into a concrete jungle like Virgina Beach, Ocean City MD…or dare I even say it… Atlantic City NJ
• That land should remain like it is
• It would be a shame to ruin such a beautiful, natural area by allowing commercial zoning. There are few places like this left we should do everything we can to protect it.
• I will no longer visit the OBX area if roads are installed/built in the Carova Beach or Swan Beach area. This remote area is part of the appeal and beauty of OBX and will be ruined it this is allowed to happen.
• Business does not need to be absolutely everywhere…preserve some tranquil spaces for humans and animals to connect and enjoy free from the commercial aspects of life!
• I am a former resident of Currituck and work in the vacation rental field. This could be one of the more foolish amendments yet. Not only will it destroy the beauty and uniqueness of the area, it will have a negative overall effect. The result is to make the north beach area just another spot on the outerbanks that is more inconvient to reach.
• 4 wheel drive area should not be built up but preserved for the wildlife and solitude if offers for many. It is such a beautiful, peaceful place.
• While I am not a current resident of the area, I have family and friends that are. Let this area stay beautiful. Commercial businesses will only take away the freedom of the horses.
• The main reason we come to Carova is to enjoy the peace and quiet of the beach, without the rumble of a highway over the next dune. Where you can still see the horses and other wild life moving about freely. Keep the beaches clutter-free!
• This is a horrible idea. Please do not allow this to happen!!!
• The character of this precious area is its greatest attraction. Commercial development is out of place and unnecessary. People benefit from a respite from such services. Patricia Gale
• It would ruin everything about the beach to change anything….
• Please protect this beautiful area and don’t let it become another line of fast food shops and 7 11s
• I have been going to Carova Beach for over 20 years and would hate to see it developed. The attraction of the area is the fact that it is not developed and the wild horses that would be affected by the development. Please don’t ruin the beach atmosphere there.
• Please keep the beach as remote as possible. It is one of the last beauties in North Carolina. Truly for nature lovers not for 7-elevens

• I have been visiting the OBX for almost 50 years. Having been born in Virginia Beach, my childhood vacations were spent in Kitty Hawk during the 1960′s. Those vacations were in a flat-top cottage near the Wilbur & Orville Wright Hotel. Both wer torn down to make room for more development. As a resident of western Pennsylvania, later years were spent vacationing in Kitty Hawk, then Southern Shores, in less developed araeas to enjoy the classic OBX beach vacation where the next family might be 100 yards or more down the beach. Steady commercial development, during which furtunes were made, have dramatically eroded the chance to have that experience. In 1998, my wife and I had the opportunity to acquire a semi-oceanfront lot at 1656 Sanfiddler Lane in Swan Beach. We happily gave up quick access to mail, shopping, and emergency medical services. Our highest priority was a calm stretch of beach, with only the sound of waves, gulls, and terns. An added bonus was, and still is, incredible star-lit skies at night. These are possible only due to the lack of street lights and no illuminated parking lots. We came to Swan Beach, following the rules for minimal development. We have watched in surprise as effort after effort is made to jump to commercial and large scale development of the 4 Wheel Drive Area. One of the surest ways to open the floodgates is to grant this first rezoning request. What would then prevent the next rezoning request? And then the next one? Please deny this latest request for (commercial) rezoning. There is already enough commercialization & development on the OBX, and way too much in Virginia Beach and points further north. Why would we want to become like that?

• We bought in carova beach in 1996 after visiting the area and falling in love with it. If you want a commercial beach adventure there are plenty of beaches you can go to. We grew up in Ft. Lauderdale when it was paradise, needless to say it is so built up now, most people do not want to go there because there is very little public beach left and no wildlife. Please do not let this happen to the northern beaches on the outer banks. We need to protect this gem of a beach. If you say yes to commercial development, where does it stop?

• UNTOUCHED NATURAL BEAUTY AND THE LIFE IT SUPPORTS SHOULD BE CHERISHED AND PROTECTED, NOT DESTROYED TO SATISFY HUMAN DESIRE/GREED. IT WOULD BE CRIMINAL TO DEVELOP THIS AREA.

• It’s sad for me to think about how much more traffic, trash and noise might result from such development. I have been coming to Swan Beach since 1980 with my family. My kids are growing up going there every summer. What a horror show the beach would become for anyone trying to enjoy the solitude and beauty that abounds there with all that additional traffic? Public safety and emergency rescue would surely be taxed. Not to mention the displacement and possible danger to the wild horses and other animals. We must fight to stop this!

• Please don’t commercialize! Swan beach is my favorite vacation spot. I won’t go back if you do. It’s such a special place the way it is.

• I have read each comment posted in response to commercial development in the 4×4 section. I find it interesting that no one has made a positive statement or even slightly encouraged the progress of this issue. To me, this speaks volumes. I can only hope and pray the developers are listening and will respect the opinion of those who oppose the development of this area. We do not need stores, motels and the like. What is needed is a place of serenity and tranquility. Please hear our voice.

• I live full time in Swan Beach and have for 8 years now, my husband and
I deliver the mail to Carova 6 days a week, we have seen a dramatic change in
this beach over that time. We moved here for peace and the natural
beauty of this place we call home, please say NO to commercial development on the Beach. as far as I know this is the last stand for the Wild Horses who are already in danger on a daily basis given the increased traffic, commericial development would only add to this problem and for the people who live and work on this Beach, and the visitors who come here to enjoy this area.
• My family was introduced to the 4-wheel drive area of the Outer Banks several years ago and immediately fell in love with it. What is so special is the fact that there are no roads and stores. It is incredible to see the horses and the stars at night. We are very sad to hear that commercial development is even being discussed. Please don’t allow any commercial development in the off road area.

• We moved from the Whalehead subdivision seven years ago to the four wheel drive area because the horses were sent north and the Wings store was coming. We want peace, quiet, and no one putting up another putt-putt or go cart tract. The people building this development had a HORSE CORRAL in their first set of plans -that should tell you something right there!!

• The only place on the OBX where you can sit on your deck at night and see the Milky Way with bare eyes and you are considering commercial building? Shame on you! If people need services that bad, stay on the black top and leave this little piece heaven alone!

• My husband I had heard about this proposal from a real estate agent years ago, but thought it would never happen. Who would want to destroy what makes it this place so great? Who would wield enough power to make that happen? Obviously, we were naive regarding Outer Banks politics.
• Does this proposal have less to do with providing amenities to those living past where Highway 12 ends, and more to do with making money? As Paul McCartney quoted regarding buying additional shares of Apple records behind the other Beatles backs: “I . . . had some beanies and I wanted some more.”
• For some people, there are never enough “beanies.”
• From Hatteras to Carolla, we’ve seen developers change the face of the Outer Banks–and many tmes not for the better. I simply pray it does not happen here.
• I’m not sure that homes or land will go down in value. There will be those who would argue this zoning change will increase the value of both. We as owners might have to be willing to forego that increase in value to keep things as they are.
• As for the need for conveniences, I say this: when we stay at the upper beaches, we simply plan ahead for what we might need and make our trips out count. It is a case of being organized. But I can see where the Northern Beaches might not fit everyone’s needs equally.
• If you are elderly or unwell or need access to the conveniences a town can offer, the Outer Banks has something for everyone and it only makes sense to live or stay where the amentiies are that you need. Leave the inconvenient, yet beautiful beaches to the rest of us who would rather be put out than give up the remoteness that makes this area so great

• Iam hoping that the zoning charge is rejected. If people want convenience stores, shopping, restaurants, etc… move to an area that already has that (the rest of the outer banks!!). People choose the 4WD area to live and vacation because they are trying to get away from normal life and be close to nature and enjoy the natural scenic beauty of the coast. As far as I’m concerned the area is already overdeveloped and building needs to stop now! Commercialization of the area is the 1st step in turning the 4WD area into the rest of the outer banks. This area should be preserved as a national landmark.

• MY FAMILY HAS OWNED A HOME ON SANDFIDDLER RD.CAROVA FOR 11 YEARS. I LIVE IN BELIZE CENTRAL AMERICA A PLACE THE REST OF THE WORLD CALLS PARADISE.THEY HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE NORTHERN BEACHES. I WILL TRAVEL FROM BELIZE TO N.C SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR, IF YOU CHANGE THE ZONING , OF COURSE WE WILL NOT COME. THIS CHANGE WILL DEVALUE OUR INVESTMENT AND YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR LOSS.

• You hold the future of this wonderful place . You hold it in trust, we depend on you to do the right thing. Our great grandchildren will forever thank you for keeping our trust.

• My wife & I first came to the 4WD area in 1998. We bought a lot in Seagull subdivision & built in 1999. Our address in 1565 Sandpiper Rd.
• Since building, we’ve watched about 4 feet of sand disappear from the Lewark tract behind our house, caused primarily by the off road commercial sightseeing tours and other sight-seers driving on private property. They have NO regard for the horses, other wildlife or the rights of property owners.
• We live in PA and grew up going to the NJ shores. We fell in love the the 4WD area because of it’s natural beauty. We drive 8 hours because the northern beaches are so special. If we wanted to got to NJ, we could do it in less than 2 hours. If you want to be another Sea Isle City or Wildwood, NJ, approve the zoning change. We hope common sense prevails and you REJECT the zoning change.
• Finally, it’s interesting that NC recently named the OBX stallions as the State Horse. So much for God’s Gifts to man…

• I approach this with trepidation since I will be perceived as a minority opinion. I have vacationed almost yearly in the OBX since the mid 1970′s (Southern Shores (SS)) and bought properties in Carova Beach in the 80′s. Like others, I would like to retire in the Northern Banks.
• I absolutely agree we do not need another KDH/KH/Nags Head mega strip mall, but when you’re 70+ years old and need something, you’re going to want to have to travel as little as possible.
• Here’s my point: as the residential population grows, more services and needs will have to be met. I believe that LIMITED development will be a “necessary evil”.
• So, is it possible to have CONTROLLED development in the Northern Banks, as it is in SS?

• We are homeowners at 1965 Ocean Pearl Road in North Swan Beach. We strongly oppose the commercial proposal for Swan Beach. We chose this area (19 years ago) for it’s beauty, tranquility and peacefulness. This area is truly the last unspoiled beach on the eastern seaboard! If people want all these so called amenities; they need to rent/own on the pavement and leave this area to those who appreciate it’s natural beauty!

• Having just returned from a trip to the OBX where we visited the area in question, I cannot believe this proposal would even be considered! There are already more houses, condos, restaurants, shopping areas, etc. than needed in the Corolla and Corolla Light communities. Many of the shopping centers had several vacant storefronts. The unspoiled beauty of this area is a rare treat in any oceanfront community – please LEAVE IT ALONE!!

• What are the Commissioners thinking? This development will destroy the area. The thought of a ‘yes’ vote on this issue is beyond my comprehension

• I have only lived here for 2 plus years and have witnessed the drastic change in people, cars, and the constant harrassment of the horses because hatteras closed thier beach. They were smart. now they have a beautiful and peaceful beach and all the people have come here. Idiots who drive reckless and do donuts on the very dunes that protect our homes. Kill horses driving like lunatics and harrass the crud out of them by touching, feeding, letting thier little barefoot hoodlums chase them, kick sand on them and throw rocks at them. YEAH!
let’s bring in even more lower class people who can’t afford to rent a house. Cars that ignore the speed limit. And lets nor mention the greater limitations to grazing land. Say goodbye to the one commodity you profit from. THE WILD HORSES.

• The horses have and will always be pushed further and further off of the land they have roamed freely for hundreds of years. They are the selling commodity that entice the developers to build this inn. Without the horses it is just another Daytona, Myrtle or Baha beach. The developers build without reguard to the destruction of the environment but need the horses to sell the tickets to the show. I have this to say.
every beautiful beach in the world has been ruined by huge buildings for profit. Hawaii, mexico, texas and now here. OBX will no longer be special or different because eventually it will look the same and the horses will die out from too much interference in the way they live. say goodbye to these beautiful mustangs.
• Please don’t spoil what is special about this place. The remoteness and lack of commercial activities make it special, as well as the horses and wildlife. We love it and have thought about buying property here. If it is made commercial we won’t be buying here because we are trying to get away from commercialism. There is enough commercialism off the beach. Let’s keep it that way.

• am nearly in tears imagining the destruction of this unique and beatiful area. We visited the 4×4 area last year specifically for its remoteness and we fell in love instantly. We originally thought we would skip a year and then return however we enjoyed it so much we will be back again in a week! I can honestly say if the development is passed, we will not return to the area. Beaches with shops, restaurants and entertainment are a dime a dozen. I earn my paycheck working for a commercial developer but this is one project I can not support. VOTE NO!

• This is outrageous! Why can’t people leave the nature and beauty of this environment untouched. We have been vacationing in the Outer Banks for 15 years now and I can’t imagine going anywhere else. We travel from central NJ to get away from this kind of behavior. Please stop the insanity!!! Leave well enough ALONE!

• My husband and I have been coming here for the past 4 years and we keep coming back because there is no other place like the outer banks. We come from Fairfield County, CT, very busy, very loud and fast paced and to allow commercial developers to create a road and/or hotel is slowly allowing all of that fast paced world of stress to come down here. My husband and I are planning on having our family come down with us next year, as long as it still remains untouched and breathtaking. If commercial real estate goes up, we will seek out another place to spend our vacations.
This particular time we came to visit – 5/1-5/8, the horses were mating and were all along the beach the entire time of our vacation. It’s amazing to watch these beautiful creatures so leisurely along the beach. Please do not allow money hungry builders to destroy what so many come to enjoy!

• My family and I are from Maine and have been vacationing in the OBX off-road area for several years. Every year we have all looked forward to the beauty and relaxation of this area. There are very few places left that offers this and I truly would hate to see it destroyed by another greedy commercial developer. Furthermore, the wild horses have already been limited to this small area; what will happen to them next? Please don’t let the development in!

• What is wrong with people!?! (Who is the head of this awful idea?) The whole reason the Outer Banks is so successful is because it is NOT commercial! Why do you think visitors have been coming here/Corolla over the past years? I can guarantee you, NOT to shop. That beautiful area, along with its wildlife, has been just fine without commercial development. Every voice counts on this. I strongly oppose the bridge as well. Do not let some greedy company come here and ruin this great chunk of Paradise. We are not Myrtle Beach, Daytona Beach or Virginia Beach, we are the Outer Banks of North Carolina and let’s stay “OUT” of this commercial business.
•
• We are living in Southern Jersey and boy can we tell you about overdevelopment! Dont become another WILDWOOD. We have a unique community here in Carova and it would be a terrible shame if the continued development proposal(s) destroy our enviornment.

• If revenue growth is needed, why take from a fragile community? Should a visitor purchase a entry pass to the 4 wheel drive area?Values on homes and land has already fallen, this could put additional pressure on values. Keep in mind you are making a decision that will have serious outcomes to the wildlife as well as residents.
• I grew up on the Va. side for 12 years. Carova has already changed enough. I now live on Knotts Island and go to the beach often to escape to my HOME. On the beach is where i can revive my spirit and relax without the hundred miles an hour track from commercial development. I work in it everyday uptown. We have a house we stay in on the beach and we really like the peaceful surroundings. DEVELOPERS STAY OUT!!

• We have owned beach property in this area since we first married–scrimped and saved and made it a priority because we love the place so much and hoped to someday retire here. We had a semi- oceanfront lot in North Swan and now have two lots in Carova. We spent our honeymoon here and nearly every vacation in our 18 years together–because we truly love this place! PLEASE do not rezone for commercial use; it would destroy the very character of this beach that we love so much . . . and definitely change our plans for retirement. But worse than that, something that can never be regained would be destroyed. Please don’t let greed or monied interests override public desire. Nobody needs commercial properties in the off-road area. The very inaccessability is what makes this place so cool and so desirable. And what about protecting the horses? Hard to do in the crowd that will surely show up if you make this area commercial. Someone will make money for sure, but then Carova will have lost its cache’ and will no longer offer anything that we would want. I suspect we are not alone! Do the right thing instead of the greed-driven thing.

• We are owners at 2317 Ocean sands Rd in Carova, and came to the area because of the beauty and remoteness of the region. If you let one commercial interest in you will have to let them all in. This is one of the few remaining beach areas in the United States that has not been commercialized And we would be devastated to see it ruined. We are opposed to commercial development.

• We are against any commercial development in the 4-wheel drive area. As many others have stated, the beauty and natural environment is what draws us to the area and many other come to visit the area for the same reason. Commercial development will destroy that, please let’s work together to prevent this from happening.
• We love the area as is, we currently own property in Carova Beach and would like to maintain the natural beauty for our children and others to follow.

• Please do not allow commercial development in the off road area of the Currituck Outer Banks. Leave the four wheel drive area as it is. I often visit Carova/Swan beaches and know many others that do so. After speaking with them, the theme is the same, we come to the area because we love the lack of commercial development. To develop Carova would not only be a danger to the wild horses, but it would destroy one of the last great North Carolina experiences.

• We have owned our home in Swan Beach for 20 years now and will be renting it in-season for 10 years this summer. The solitude and beauty of the 4WD area distinguishes our area from other resort areas, but we too can become overcrowded during the season. Commercial development would simply add to the congestion and create safety issues for the wild horses and humans alike! Our guests have voiced the same concerns and would like us to express their wishes also. Please do not allow commercial development in the offroad area of the Currituck Outer Banks.

• am a homeowner in the Swan Beach subdivision of Carova, and planned development is a horrible idea for this area. I plan to attend the upcoming meeting. I have written to everyone I can think of voicing concerns.

• I am not opposed to all development. I am, however opposed to inappropriate development.
• The proposal to build a motel and commercial development on a remote area of the Outer Banks is out of character with the surrounding wild lands. This area is one of a few left on the East Coast and should be preserved for our kids and grandkids.

• I am a Realtor from Myrtle Beach, SC, so I have seen more than my fair share of destruction of natural beauty by overdevelopment and uncaring tourists. My family and I visit the OBX several times a year. We plan on retiring in the Northern OBX. The Nags Head, KDH, and Kitty Hawk areas are sadly becoming exactly what we we are trying to get away from. The same thing will happen eventually if commercial development is allowed in Swan Beach. That place is already paradise. Leave it alone. Adding so-called “improvements” will only do the opposite.

• Just like “Field of Dreams”…build it they will come and come and come and come!!!! They allow this one, then there will be another and so on, leave the beaches alone!!!
• Leave the four wheel drive area as it is.I have friends that are permanent residents of Carova/Swan and others that have land/homes for vacations.The theme is the same,we are here because we love the lack of commercial development.There is nothing wrong with not developing every inch of land.The drawn is the lack of.Just say NO to developers,as hard as it seems to be.

• I love it here….it is such a small slice of paradise. My wife and I have spent the past 24 years to make our dream a reality to live in this most special place. Do I mind driving a few miles for my supplies, I’d walk for miles as did my ancestors, without complaint. Imagine if those early residents of this beach were to return from a few hundred years ago and see the changes or worse hear the proposed changes. Oh, I could not disrespect them by supporting commercial property rezoning. They had no greed, their focus was family and neighbor. They lived off the land and sea, and when I read stories of life here many years ago I know those were happy people, happy with the simple things of life. Let’s try to keep things more simple, if you are planning on building a new home here because of the special place it is, why not reduce the size of your plans, do you really need 25 bedrooms?

• Any proponent of commercialization here has a self defeating idea, eventually it will lead to the demise of tourists. The visitors come because we have a beach unlike any other. I say to the visitors and business speculators, check out Ocean City MD, you can all have what you want there, and property values are at an all time low. I say NO to any commercial interests. Let’s just enjoy the raw wildness of this most beautiful residential area, and enjoy the simple gifts we have been given in life.
• My husband and I built our home (received the Certif. of Occupancy) in January 2005. Since the fall of 2002 I have lived in Carova and was born and raised just over the VA line in Sandbridge. The reason I live here is due to the beauty and my escape from the fast track that I worked in for many years. I still work and drive the beach 5 to 7 days a week. In the summer, it is almost impossible and can take up to an hour or more from the hard surface road to home. I realize we now have a 23 or 24 bedroom single family home in No. Swan Beach. Fully occupied, that can be 12 or more cars on the beach. Hotels/suites that rent by the day (hopefully not hour) will bring many more cars to our fragile area. We make plans when we go home and have no desire to go to convenience stores, etc. Please do not vote to destroy our wild life and wild horses. This area must be preserved and appreciated. Do not turn a beautiful area into a parking lot!

• I have owned property in Carova Beach for 5 years now. I purchased my home here so that my family and I would have a “peacful” place for my retirement. I am against any rezoning and commercial development in the 4X4 area. This is a special place and for those of us have chosen to live and own property here, it should be left the way it is. Besides, it would cause more traffic and further expose the horses to vehicular injury.
Please leave this area the way it is. Thank you.

• We purchased land in Carova 3 years ago BECAUSE of the lack of commercial development! Please do not allow commercial development on the Northern beaches of the Outer Banks. There is so little left!

• I reside in Swan Beach year around, and I do not need or want a hotel in my back yard. I came here from Richmond, VA to get away from all of that. There is no since in developing anymore, we have TOO MUCH traffic on this beach now. AS fot the pier, How Would We Get To OUR Homes. This would destroy the land and its beauty plus mother nature does that already. I strongly oppose this action and will be at the meeting on the 15th!

• The reason most people come down to the 4-wheel drive area to get away from everything, the day to day activies,the whole “city life”. Where else can you go to that there is no paved roads?? Please leave our beaches alone

• As a “newby” to the Outer Banks and only visited twice in the past two years, my two cents worth means nothing. However, I am considering on retiring to the northern OBX. As a Native of North Conway NH, Tourism is huge to our year round economy. I have moved South of my native town do to commercial building. We are no longer the gate way to the White Mountains but just a shopping mecca for tourists. It’s just disgusting to go into that town now.
I am firmly against seeing commercial building on the off road. But just a thought. Why were houses ever allowed to be built there? My first experience on Carova Beach was the same disgust that the erea was built on. So sad….

• It was the natural beauty of the 4WD area, devoid of all commercial interests, that created the allure that eventually lead to my relocation here. It is a place where all manner of wildlife abounds, nearly unfettered in its normal daily activities. It is an area of wide, uncrowded beaches for most of the year.
Friends I have met here see no issue with taking a ride to the supermarket (what better way to connect with your neighbors than asking if they need something from the market?) If there was truly a need, the locals would have been requesting this commercial development starting years ago. I have yet to me one who wants it, either today or tomorrow.

• My husband and I are in the beginning process of buying land in the 4×4 area, so we can have a very unique and natural life living among wild horses and other animals. We drive almost 12 hrs from Connecticut several times per year, spending all of our vacation weeks in the 4×4 area. Commercialization is just a VERY short drive away to Corolla. Why would a proposal of changing zoning to commercial use even be considered? Are you kidding me? This is one of the last places in the Country to see wild horses on the beach, wild and free like the deserve to be. We need to protect them, and protect the 4×4 area so that our children and our grandchildren will one day be able to experience this natural beauty too. Keep this area as it is, there is no value to bringing in businesses and hotels, and killing more horses, and polluting the land. The appeal of retiring to the 4×4 area someday is all but gone if there is commercialization allowed – I don’t think I would want to be part of a community that would allow this type of blatant destruction to occur to such an amazing place. PLEASE spread the word, and call in all favors you have to anyone who might be able to help stop this from occurring – EVER. What a shame that would be…

• One of the major reasons we relocated from Corolla, NC is due to the cruelty inflicted on the horses, wildlife and environment during tourist season! This is one of the last places in the U.S. for the wild horses. The current commercialism is destroying the area. This energy would be better directed to wildlife conservation, environmental protection and community (schools, libraries, historic preservation, etc..)There is no greater time than NOW that we need to become conscious of the impact on nature and earth.
• The wild horses on the north beach are about to be designated as the North Carolina State horse. The off road area is their last stand. They are as far north as they can go. They were moved there in 1997 because the development of Corolla and the resulting influx of people and vehicles caused them to be injured and killed by cars and they were being poisoned by eating chemically treated grass. There is no need for commercial development in the off road area – there is more than enough in Corolla. The off road area is so unique. We must all work together to see that it stays that way. The horses are wild and free and they deserve to stay that way. We did not ask for nor would we ever ask for a “corral” for them so that guests at a hotel that we do not want or need, can look at them in confinement.

• We purchased in Currituck over 10 years ago. We knew that the off road was zoned residential and NO commercial would be allowed. Why would the county make a decision to do something so against the good for the area, the county and those of us who decide to make Currituck our home. I know that each commissioner will do the right thing for the public and vote NO to commercial in Swan and the entire off road!

• No hotels, inns, wellness centers, bait shops or fishing piers are needed in Swan Beach. We are well without the commercialization proposed, we fish without a pier and we recreate without having to pay an entity to validate our having fun. Go away! It is good to see so many speaking their mind on this post. Together, speaking as one voice on March 15th, I am sure that we can defeat this once again.

• How hard is it for proponents of commercialism to understand the following: There is NO VALUE in imitation or replication The eastern seaboard is full of commercialism. Let’s keep an area free from commercialism so we can enjoy the value of an area that is different from any other place!

• Again! Please stop the continuous battle to do what is right! Keep the commercial out of the off road area. It would destroy a wonderful place where we visit every year!

• I am a owner at 810 mullet lane in carova, and i beleve that there has allready been enuff damage done to the beach by day trippers, and vacationers. we have no need for any commercial activites on the beach, carolla or knotts island is close enuff. do we really want to encourage more traffic on the beach?
• We are homeowners at 2348 False Cape Road in Carova and are strongly opposed to any commercial development in th off road areas.
• I am an owner at 1558 Sandfiddler in Seagull subdivision, and I am strongly opposed to commercial development in this Northern Outer Banks.
• Please do not destroy what makes the 4WD area special!
• My wife and I built a home in Swan Beach in 1990 directly across from the first plot of land in Swan considered for development. Any such development would be harmful, inconsiderate, and destroy the area. If such places were to be approved, other development would have to follow, such as paved and maintained roads. Leave the 4WD area alone, develop on the hard road, not across from our home. Horse Tours are bothersome and menacing enough. Figure other ways to make and take money from people. Please VOTE NO AGAIN on this proposal. Thank you.
• HAVE YOU ALL LOST YOUR MIND? THIS IS THE LAST 11 MILES OF 4X4 ONLY BEACH AND THEY WANT TO MAKE IT LIKE THE HUNDREDS OF MILES OF CLODDER AND MAYHAM! NO NO !!!! DON’T LET IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!
• Please keep commercial development off the northern beaches! We chose this place (Swan Beach) to purchase property specifically because of the remote feel of the area. We did so fully knowing that there was no convenience store or other business on the beach. It’s one of the things that drew us here in the first place. We’re perfectly happy to head on down to the paved road whenever we need to replenish our pantry. Please help preserve the last stretch of land on the Eastern seaboard that is still a haven of sorts for humans and animals alike from the overdevelopment of all of the other resort areas around. Please don’t take what makes us special and allow it to be turned into mediocrity simply because of a developer’s desire to make money. Thank you for your consideration.
• We treasure the 4×4 and chose to build our retirement home here. We are happy to “lay in our provisions” and enjoy the horses and the unspoiled, noncommercial beauty for days at a time. If we had wanted the convenience of Winks or Wings, we would have built on the hard surface beaches. Please vote against this monstrosity.
• We sincerely believe that the type of commercial development being proposed is contrary to Land Use Policy, is deterimental to the fragile ecosystem on the beach, and is not supported by the vast majority of 4X residents. While there are instances of individuals running businesses, those business support the permanent populations – we hope that you will take into account the wishes of the people this will impact the most – the homeowners in the area – and not the wishes of the developers who have not stake in the quality of life we love.
• I Purchased a lot in Swan Beach in the late 1970′s. I lived in Virginia Beach at the time, and bought it due to the lovely pristine nature of the area. Please leave it that way. There is no need for more commercialism in the Outer Banks. Enough is enough. Even though I now live in Texas, I visit the Outer Banks periodically and visit my little lot. I’ve been shocked at the amount of development over the years, but have always been glad that roads and hotels haven’t invaded Swan Beach.
• We are STRONGLY AGAINST the rezoning to conditional general business in Swan Beach! We love the remote feel of Swan Beach that is so unique and unlike any other area along the beach. PLEASE VOTE NO!!!!
• PLEASE VOTE NO —– SOME BEAUTY AND WILDLIFE NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED.
• No special consideration is given for any other residential construction in this area, nor should it be. We all adhere to an established set of guidelines (rules) and plan accordingly. The scope of what is proposed will forever change this entire 4WD area, and this is certainly an instance in which change is not good. We must protect not only our resources but the uniqueness we have here. If we dont soon we will be just another Myrtle Beach, Daytona, or Nags Head for that matter with nothing to make us stand apart.
• We, like many other families, purchased homes in Swan Beach precisely because of its exceptional natural beauty and lack of commercial activities, which is now almost impossible to find anywhere along America’s coasts. By allowing commercial activity there, you would not only reduce the inherent value of Swan Beach to us, as homeowners and TAXPAYERS, but would also ruin one of America’s last great natural scenic coastlines. With more commercial development, you can also say goodbye to your “use” of wild horses and natural scenery as a marketing plug for housing and tourism along the coast.
• I have recently sold my business that was located in Charlotte, NC and am in the process of relocating fulltime to my house in Swan Beach. We picked Swan Beach 4 years ago due to the fact of the way that it was at that time. If commercial is allowed and that is what I am looking at off of my front deck as it will be placed directly in front of us we will definitely reevaluate and more than likely sell and move somewhere else. Everyone we talk to tourists, locals, everyone has no idea why someone would want to change it. Please put a stop to this so that we can keep our unique beach and not just be another commercialized zone on the eastern US coast.
• I am strongly opposed to the rezoning of land in Swan Beach. This area is much to valuable as a natural resource to ruin it by commercial incursion.
• I am writing to you in regard to the rezoning of the Swam Beach area..
• I am 100% opposed to the idea of rezoning the area for the following reasons:
* Rezoning would destroy the wild horses habitat and environment. It is already hard to keep this herd and introducing more people in the area would certainly not benefit the horses but only the pockets of the developers
* The beauty of the 4×4 area would be gone forever, and we would instead have another Ocean City Md.
• I really hope that you will reject this proposal and keep the zoning the way it is.
• What a travesty against nature to change this beautiful area!!
• I have owned my property in Swan Beach for more than 35 years. I am VERY opposed to the higher density that is proposed by this plan. It is very disturbing to think that our county government would even consider such a change in density of buildings and housing. It is unwanted, un needed and will lead to increased destruction of a highly sensitive environment not only physical but also to th ehorse population.
• I have personally spoken to about 10 families that vacation there all of them choose the off road area for it’s lack of commercial property it’s uniqueness and what the area has stood for all these years. All said it would cause them to reconsider this area as a automatic destination.
• Please do not allow this to happen!
• We have about 75,000 visitors come into the Wild Horse Museum annually. When we talk about the issue of commercialization in the 4 wheel drive area, they are mystified as to why anyone would want to do anything to make it look like the rest of Corolla. They compare this area to other beaches saturated with commercialization and tell me that is why they come here – because our beaches are not like that.
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• Commercialization of the north beach is like the story of Pandora’s box. Open it, and a whole host of negativity will continue to pour out. The worst of which will be the end of the our wild horses – the North Carolina State horse
• there are a number of more important things to address before even considering a commerical development in the four wheel drive area. For example the potential water and sewage problems. We have the chance to do this RIGHT. No commerical development.
• Please do not let this happen. It will totally change the 4×4 area and not for the better. The beaches are congested already and the wild horses are constantly hunted down by tour groups and others. This is a unique area which will be destroyed if you allow commercial building here.
• End the destruction of this unique part of NC. Respect those who already live here!!
• It would certainly ruin the OBX if you built out on the beach. That is the reason we go there. We got marreid on Swan beach and love that there is nothing out there..Why why why would you build out there..If people want this and that tell them to go somewhere else..
• I have been visiting the off road northern beaches for a decade, specifically the Swan Beach area – - do NOT change them! Building as proposed would negatively effect their beauty, charm, and uniqueness as well as the fragile ecosystem. Bigger and better, new and improved is NOT always better!!!
• I strongly suggest that you, the Commissioners, to vote no to the rezoning request submitted by Mr. Friedman for the North Swan Beach area. It simply does not follow UDO, you have denied residents in this area and fined them through the years for commercial activity while allowing the few, this beach cannot handle the traffic NOW nor should the horses have to deal with this, the emergency services cannot handle it and as you denied us…..the public doe not want it.
• Let me list the concerns: wild life water & sewage trash – visitors either don’t care or understand traffic/safety – visitors don’t care or understand. The Environment – no one person, group or county should be allowed to prosper at the risk of all I have listed above.
• We need to preserve this beautiful area from any development other than private homes. No paved roads, restaurants or stores can be established or this will open the area to massive development. This is one of the few places left on the eastern seaboard that remains relatively undisturbed and we need to keep it that way for future generations and for the wild animals that live in the area
• Please, please vote NO to the rezoning request in Swan Beach. I currently own a home in North Swan Beach and feel the need to preserve the beauty, safety and health of this beautiful area.
• Thank you very much for taking my concern seriously and voting No to this proposal
• As a property owner and weekend resident in Carova Beach sine the 70′s I am against this development. We bought and built in Carova because it is the last frontier. It is Carova Beach – not VB , Not Nags Head, Not Corrolla – But our Carova Beach – Lets keep it that way for us and the generations that follow.
• I have sent a few messages about the possibility of developing this gem of an area, and am taking the time to do so again. Leave this area as it is, it is one of the few of its kind in an already overcrowded and overdeveloped shoreline. If this development plan is allowed to continue, I will never return to the Outer Banks area, spend any money in the area, and will recommend all that I know to do the same. LEAVE IT ALONE! That area does not need to be developed. Period.
• please vote NO and keep our 4×4 area the beautiful, pristine place it is.
• there is much more to lose than gain if the rezoning request is granted.
• We’ve been beach lovers since the 50′s. We have watched as a beautiful pristine beach has become a Mecca for vactioners and money monster rental homes. Gone are the days of peacfull tranquility when we could commune with nature. Still, the beach can be enjoyable if you are careful and don’t trash Mother Nature.

• Commercializing the beach with hotels and shopping centers will do nothing but make rich people richer…..and ruin a former piece of Heaven.

• We love the beach just as it is. Please leave it alone. The whole problem with the world today is GREED! Every one is trying to make a buck and turn someone elses paradise into misery. One day Mother Nature will get tired of man making a mess out of her handiwork…..who knows when a devastating Hurricaine will wipe out all those millionaires that have disrespected her and make a shambles of the Outer Banks? Weather pattern are changing all over the world. That should taken into consideration.
• This would be a detriment to the environment and cause too much traffic for the horses.
• The beach road is too congested already!! kids and dogs are in danger every weekend due to sightseers driving the beach…last thing we need is an inn bringing in tons more traffic and more damage to the environment!! put up a gate at the end of the paved road and limit traffic to property owners and renters…….
• Please vote NO to the rezoning request to conditional general business in Swan Beach.
• Commercial development in this fragile area will have significant negative environmental impacts. Especially to water quality and availability.
• This request threatens the very reason that we live here, visit here, and want to grow old and protect this treasure. Allowing commercial development will threaten the safety, health and welfare of the general public and those that enjoy the four wheel drive area of Currituck County. It is counter to the adopted Land Use Plan. It is counter to the vast majority of the citizen’s desires. The county would incur significant costs, and our future generations will lose! Any short term gains would be offset by a loss of tourism revenues(once the uniqueness disappears why vacation there?),a drop in property values (when this is like any other place why purchase and pay tax there?), and the end of and removal of the wild horses.
• We are a residential community. We do not need nor do we want commercial. Please vote NO! If there are home based folks out of compliance with the UDO fix that! There is NO CHANGE NEEDED in our zoning!
• I came before the BOC a few years ago and spoke against this very same topic. In my speech I used the phrase “There is no value in imitation and replication.” The BOC voted unanimously to deny the request for commercial development. I don’t see how in just a very few short years things have changed in Currituck to warrant a change in the position of the BOC on this commercial matter. There is commercialism up and down the Outer Banks — from Corolla all the way to Cape Hatteras. In fact, up and down the Eastern Seaboard there is commercialism. The one thing that is NOT up and down the coastline is natural, prestine beaches. A public place where you can go and enjoy the splendors of natural beauty. For hundreds of years, generation after generation have come to the prestine beaches of Currituck. Why is the board considering losing a large piece of their heritage?
• There is no value in imitation or replication. Keep this piece of Currituck’s heritage and vote NO to any and all commercial endeavors for the off-road/4×4 area of Currituck.
• Please vote NO to the re-zoning request to conditional general business in Swan Beach. We have been owners in the off-road area of Corolla for many years, built a unique house on Sand Fiddler Road and value the area for what it is. For those of us who take the trouble to drive off-road and live within the sound of the waves, the inconveniences of salt corrosion to our cars, having to drive for everything and the challenges of getting work done to our houses is worth the advantages. A 300 room hotel and the accompanying disruption it would create would destroy those advantages. The four-wheel drive area of Currituck is unique on the East Coast and I plead with you to keep it that way.
• How do you plan to take care of the traffic conditions this move will make? This also considers how you will get through the Federal Refuges during high tides.
• Once again, greed rears its ugly head. What can you be thinking? The beach road is busy enough as it is. This is a huge safety issue. Oh, I forgot, there are probably already plans to build a road in the future. This will only be for “hurricane” evacuation of course, not for future development. This is that classic slippery slope that will end up making this fantastic place look like every other over developed and environmentally trashed vacation wonderland. Get a grip, show some courage, and vote no!!!!
• One of the biggest travasties this county could make would be to allow commerialization in the “off-road” beach area. The quality of that beach would slowly go down hill…..
• We own a home in Swan Beach and plan to retire there in a few years. We chose this area because of the location and the fact that it is not commercialized. Please vote no to the rezone request and save the last of our unspoiled beaches.
• Totally against any commercial zoning in the off road areas!!
• A group of 11 of us have come from the Boston area for almost 20 yrs. We come BECAUSE it is a little hard to get to, quiet, for nature, etc. Bringing more people & traffic will kill the OBX!!
• I have been going to the Outer Banks twice a year for over 15 years now seeing the wild horses on the northern beaches are my favorite part of the trip.
• Recently bought land in Carova beach…plan to build a home their within the next 5-7 years. Also planning to do so with as little environmental impact as possible. Any suggestions, such as builders that are sensitive to this “minimal inpact” philosophy would be greatly appreciated. Also, as a policy maker and advocate in Wake County, I am very familiar with community organizing and advocacy. Would love to stay informed and assist in any way possible to protect this area. Thank you for your efforts!
• Eventhough I am not an Outer Banks resident, I have been coming there since I was a child. It is like a home away from home to me and I feel strongly (opposed) about the over-development of the area.
• ! My family has been visiting OBX for over 30 years. It would be devastating to see any kind of commericial development in the 4×4 beaches!!!
• family owns the White property, we are stronly opposed to any commercial development.
• First time visitor! Love it here! Please do not allow commercial development!
• I love the 4×4 area just the way it is.
• Our first visit to the area and it was wonderful. We need to keep the horses wild and commercial development would kill of the horses.
• We have been going to Carova Beach since 2003, there is nothing like it!!! It needs to be preserved for future generations.
• Once developed, the land, its beauty, its occupants are gone forever.
• My husband and I have a home in the Seagull S/D at 1565 Sandpiper Road and we are strongely opposed to any commercial development on the 4-wheel drive beach.
• We are homeowners in the 4WD area and have a vested interest and love of this area. Thank you for keeping people informed and being a megaphone for our voices.
• While I do not live in the 4WD area as a real estate broker I am very familiar with the potential negative consequences of allowing such rezoning in this area, and I am in agreement with the concerns listed. This rezoning would not be in the best interests of the residents, the visitors, the current property owners or the long-term interests of Currituck County, in my opinion
• We are homeowners at 2348 False Cape Road in Carova and are strongly opposed to any commercial development in th off road areas.
• I am a seasonal resident of Carova Beach. I grew up on Knotts Island and currently reside in Pasquotank County. As a seasonal resident who works in Carova and Corolla I feel that there is already enough traffic that the insufficient road system can not support. Not only am I against all commercial development in the four wheel drive communities I feel that no future residential building should be permitted until proper drainage and runoff systems are put in to place. Please do not allow my home beach, the places I truly love, be taken away from me.
• I am an owner at 1558 Sandfiddler in Seagull subdivision, and I am strongly opposed to commercial development in this Northern Outer Banks.
• Is it an unanimous group that makes the decision to revise UDO provisions, or just one greedy person that gets the ball rolling? Here we find another money-making shot at challenging the preference of the majority in the 4×4 beaches. It’s like asking God to change His mind!
• It makes me sick to think that my favorite place in the world could be “destroyed” by commercialism. The serene, undisturbed land is what makes this such a wonderful place to visit. It’s bad enough in the Summer having to deal with rude inconsiderate “Day Trippers”, but Hotels, Stores, Paved Roads……… What would happen to the horses? It is their sanctuary and home. We love watching them and other wild life graze and frolic. It’s peaceful and pretty much one of a kind place. My in laws have a house on Swan Beach and we visit as much as possible. The development of huge rental homes has been saddening enough over the years, but commercializing the whole area and allowing hotels and retail would take away from the quaint charm and natural beauty that draws so many people to the area. As another post stated – keep the growth where it is already zoned commercial. KDH, Nags Head….have plenty of room there. In fact there are alot of empty, closed business’ there that could use your money for development.
It is a rare beauty and it would be a huge mistake to tear it all down for buildings. You can never get back the raw natual land once you have dug up to put money in someone elses pocket.
• The reason you are seeing mostly negative comments toward Mr. Fried-man’s request to turn the 4×4 area of the beach into another KH, KDH or NH is because the majority DO NOT WANT HIS BUSINESS!!!! We want the 4×4 area to stay RESIDENTIAL as it is now!!! To take it even further…I think most would agree we would like to see less single family homes in the 4×4 area. MUCH LESS a “hotel”, “multifamily” or “cluster-homes” of any kind!!!!
• Any commercial development is clearly incompatible with the wishes of the majority of landowners, vacationers, the land use plan, wildlife reserves, and rural character of the area. Currituck County should recognize this valuable, unique gem for what it is — the last remaining large, RURAL, residential development on the Eastern Seaboard.
• While I do not live in the 4WD area as a real estate broker I am very familiar with the potential negative consequences of allowing such rezoning in this area, and I am in agreement with the concerns listed. This rezoning would not be in the best interests of the residents, the visitors, the current property owners or the long-term interests of Currituck County, in my opinion
• Any commercial development is clearly incompatible with the wishes of the majority of landowners, vacationers, the land use plan, wildlife reserves, and rural character of the area. Currituck County should recognize this valuable, unique gem for what it is — the last remaining large, RURAL, residential development on the Eastern Seaboard.
• I have been going to Carova my WHOLE life. My family has been going to Carova since the early 1960′s. They came down from Va Beach on the weekends to ride their rails, and had small trailers on the VA and NC side. My family still owns a home and we are there every weekend. Ive lived in Carova for long periods of time as well. What makes this place unique is that there is no commercial development- thats why people come here. I like that my cell phone doesnt work and I dont have the internet. Dont spoil this for the others…. the people that live here dont want this!! The people that live here are the people that matter!!
• We’ve been vacationing in the 4×4 area for 10+ years now – specifically in the Penny Hill / Swan Beach area. OBX is one of the last bastions of undisturbed beach that you can go to along the East Coast. The only other place that compares to it Cape Cod and the only reason that exists is because is federally protected land and part of the national seashore. Perhaps OBX needs to also be part of the national seashore to protect it from further development? I see no reason why zoning Swan Beach or any other part of OBX to commercial would improve the ecosystem, protect the horses, or improve its economy. Can’t we please leave this precious place as it is now? In fact, I think we should prevent any further construction – residential or otherwise because already there are way too many houses there. It’s a beautiful, lovely place – let’s keep it not only for us – but for our kids and grandkids so they too can enjoy this gorgeous strip of the east coast. Conservation, conservation, conservation! I would think that with all the push of going green, Currituck BOC would not even consider such an outrageous request. Let’s put this one to bed once and for all!
• I have vacationed with friends for years in Carova and the main thing that keeps us coming back year after year is the natural, rustic and peaceful nature of the area. There is simply nothing like the off-road area in the OBX and keeping it non-commercial for generations to come would be a wonderful thing.
• what will it take for mr. friedman to realize that the vast majority of property owner/residents are overwhelmingly opposed to any change in zoning regulations as to allow commercial development on swan beach?
the fragile ecosystem and water table of this beautiful area must be preserved as it now sits. development efforts have been repeatedly rebuffed by the residents of the community and yet this donald trump wannabe won’t take no for an answer. why does this not surprise me?
• This was our first trip to the outer banks. We LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that it’s NOT commercial. We love how everyone here is like a family. The outer banks is place for people who live among the hustle and bustle of everyday life to come and get away from all of that. It’s different from any other place, and I think that everything being so local and NOT commercial is what makes it SO special. We would hate to see this beautiful place overcome by commercialism and lose that special something that it has. It’s such a wonderful place to relax and it’s so family friendly. Please keep the outer banks just the way they are.
• I am currently vacationing in OBX and would hate to see this happen.
• Firstly I WISH the whole off road area was a state park! i wish they could limit the traffic on the beach, but ownership issues near the gate…and easement issues con volute the matter. What we have in that fragile and beautiful 12 mile stretch between Corolla and Virginia is one of the most bio-diverse ecosystems on the planet. not only are the tours, the tourists, the residents and those responsible for it’s oversight killing the area, but it doesn’t seem that it will ever be stopped if we rely on humans to do it. I DO BELIEVE and HOPE that the commercial development will be defeated, yet again…and i would be lying if i did not admit that i sometimes feel like as much of the problem as anything…but i also volunteer, and consider myself a steward of what has been given to us as North Carolinians, as well as Americans. this is our history. i share that information with thousands of people a year who might have been otherwise left to their own wanderings up there. but, the companies that employ short term help with no regard nor respect for that area are a real problem for everyone. I happen to work with individuals who have done tremendous work on behalf of the horses. one of whom worked as an unpaid volunteer with the wild horse fund BEFORE they had all the current county funding. we have taken rep.s from the National Wild Horse Registry into the maritime forests and produced bones necessary for the redundant re-certification of the animals that was needed to refute the claims of certain former Currituck County elected officials who said something along the lines of the horses being only a few generations old and descendant of old plow horses. Preposterous, I know…but that’s where a lack of education will get a community.
• a very important aspect of this campaign against development should be the long-term view of our coastal plain management as a whole. realistically, the stretch from the VA border to Oregon Inlet will be five individual islands in 35-100 years. and too much money is being wasted in individual townships and counties on wasteful efforts at fighting the inevitable…candidates need to be fielded with a 100 year plan in mind, not only for the horses and our Currituck Sound area…but for the entire eastern third of our state, basically. we are all part of something larger.
• PLease, do not let this happen. I cannot imagine the travesty of this kind of development going up in this area. My family and I have adopted this area as our vacation spot of choice–our kids have grown up here and we have enjoyed the opportunity to not only teach them the history of the area but also teach them about our duty to preserve what came before us. In this case–the land and the horses.
To be honest I cannot even understand why your governing body continues to allow more houses to continue to go up in the off road area. Isn’t there enough residential/tourist housing available in Corolla and surrounding areas? What’s next–a WalMart?
Enact legislation NOW to put this land FOREVER off limits to commercial development.
• Here we go again another case of: ‘Man’s inhumanity to animals & nature!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those that DO care should step up to the plate NOW. Tomorrow may be to late!!!!!!
• please keep Corolla wild! I have grown up on that beach. Please keep it natural and do not ruin it.
• My family owns property in North Swan Beach and we strongly oppose commercial development on the 4-wheel drive area.
• This is appalling! The northern beaches are one of the few areas I can bring my children to teach them about respecting wild animals in their OWN environment, to respect and enjoy the beauty of the beach and it’s natural surroundings. The remoteness is what we enjoy. If I wanted hotels and water slides I would go elsewhere. The horses are already threatened by ignorant people who refuse to obey the laws. This is a part of history people, and you want to destroy it….SICKENING!!!
• Please spare the outer banks the destruction and commercialization that destroyed the south carolina coast! PLEASE!!! Our grandchildren need to be able to see the wild beauty and pristine shore
• Please do not destroy the OBX with commercial development. It is such a peaceful beautiful area why do you need you add commercial development in that area. My family loves to come to Corrolla to relax and enjoy the scenery. Please do not ruin that
• I have been coming to Carova beach for about 25 yrs now. It is absolutly one of my fav places in the world to go. The open spaces, the nature all around you, the WILD horses roaming FREELY, the beautiful ocean and the sound all around you at once is AWESOME! You people shoud be ashamed of yourselves for wanting to take all of this away and for what??? THAT ALMIGHTY DOLLAR! Makes me sick! They dont need any hotels, shops, food places or CORRAL AREAS….for the WILD horses!!! WTH is that??? REALLY!!!!! Those horses have been on that beach for over 500 years and are already in enough danger because of all the people who come down and disreguard the laws about staying 50 FEET AWAY! And all the people who come down and feel they can do 50 mph down the beach with our children and dogs playing b/c they think its funny and b/c they are on vacation!!! NOT FUNNY! And as for the “wild horse tours” that do nothing but chase the horses around all day and then stop and let the people GET OUT and go ALOT closer then the 50 FEET they are suppose to be(seen it with my own eyes) makes me sick! The horses are already under enough stress and don’t need anyone chasing them around to make it even worse! I always thought that Carova beach was a wildlife refugee??? Well its turning into nothing but a nightmare during the summer and you want to add to the problem??? You should be ashamed of yourselves for wanting to take what god has put there for a reason! Mother Nature has enough rath down there all by herself to do enough damage. They don’t need even more STUPID people adding to it!!! I have alot of friends who live there and as someone who wants my children to grow up seeing the absolute beauty of all that the beach provides I will stand beside all of them to stop you from doing this to the beach! And everytime you try and fail AGAIN we will all be standing together AGAIN to stop you!! And thats all I have to say about this…for now! Makes me sick!!!!!!!!!
• Is nothing sacred? Let’s preserve this natural & historical treasure, not destroy it for yet another myopic, short term profit making scheme.
• when we went to Hawaii, I thought Honolulu was basically Chicago. Concrete and steel. On the big island, in Kona, it was almost like no one knew of it. Which do you prefer for your region and tourists? I guess you’ll show us! End of story.
• Thanks to my childhood friend, Rachel, I don’t have to type a lot. I grew up with her in the same changing environment and was disgusted by the time I was 15. When I finally finished college, I made the decision not to return and live near my family because I couldn’t deal with the destruction associated with “progress.” Ever since the idea of “The Bridge” came to life, I have been against it. All it will do is intensify the commercialization of the northern beaches to accommodate the increase of traffic from Virginia.
Now THIS idiotic idea is just insane. Anyone who has ever lived there will agree with Rachel’s assessment of the physical problems that Mother Nature creates every other week. It will only increase taxes exponentially to keep up with her. They have been learning that lesson in Hatteras for decades. When will you people learn?
• AS far as the horses are concerned, I was outraged when the over-development of Pine Island, Ocean Sands, Whalehead and the Dreadful Corolla Light Resort forced official to corral those beautiful animals and force them closer to the state line. There was a beautiful young stallion named “Star” that I was fortunate to have gotten within a few feet of without spooking him. He was one of the most magnificent creatures I had ever laid eyes on. Then came the resort and the brain-dead tourists with it. At the age of 5 or 6 I think, he was killed by a tourist who clearly saw him on the side of the road. That driver never slowed down, Star reared up, lost his balance and crashed right through the windshield of the vehicle. It broke my heart that people can be that stupid and thoughtless.
• STOP THIS DESTRUCTION OF OUR HOME LAND!!!
• PLEASE do NOT let this happen! This would be tragic… if ppl want to go to this area, their are plenty of tours available if they don’t have a 4×4. Bringing what you are proposing will ruin the little land “WILD” Spanish Mustangs have left to roam free!
• I personally would like a little conveniance store but, that is it! You could easily place one near the fire station. I am TOTALLY against any kind of Inn… driving onto the beach in the beginning is so beautiful because it’s “UNTOUCHED” taking that away would ruin the beauty!
• As homeowners and residents in the 4X are in Carova, we adamantly oppose any type of commercial development. Everyone who lives in this area does so simply because there is no commercial development to destroy the pristine nature of the natural habitat, ruin the roads, endanger our wildlife and horses, and bring even more visitors to an area that is already reaching its capacity with the infrastructure it has. If visitors want to fish off a pier, go shopping, play miniature golf, or any other activities that we don’t have in the 4X area, there are plenty of places they can stay up on the hardpack and enjoy those activities- coming to Carova means relaxation, quiet, nature, surf fishing – all the things that will gradually fall by the wayside with commerical development. Again, we adamantly oppose any type of commericialization in the 4X area of Carova.
• Why anyone in their right mind, want to destroy an area that is so unique is beyond me. How many more times do we have to destroy something so beautiful, only to find out too late that what we destroyed can’t be replaced? Take a look at your future people…..visit Seaside Heights New Jersey! Then decide if you still want to rezone it to comercial. I forsee a new Reality show in our future called Corova! What is wrong with you people? What about the traffic on the beach there is too much now! What about the Wild Horses? Soon to be designated as the State Horse of North Carolina! HOW WILL THEY BE AFFECTED ? HELLO CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME?
• As a resident of Corova I STRONGLY oppose and disagree with the prospect of commercializing the off-road areas. The impact would be devastating to the environment, to the wild horses, and to the residents who choose to buy property in Corova to get away from the commercializing that has over-run Corolla and all points south along the shoreline. If we, as residents, want to fish off a pier we’ll make the drive south to Kill Devil Hills. But we don’t, we don’t mind surf fishing. If vacationers want a weekend stay in a hotel, then send them south to Nag’s Head. More commercialization will obviously bring in more traffic. More traffic will demand paved roads. Do we REALLY want paved roads in a recognized National State Park? I would dread the day that I would have to tell my children and their children that “No, you can’t go out and play because there’s too much traffic.” And let us not forget about the “wild” horses. If this proposal goes through that would mean that less of an area for these beautiful creatures to roam, more human intervention that has been proven deadly to them, and ending with a landslide effect of these horses becoming extinct; so much for designating them as the State Horse. Any commissioner who is using even one brain cell in considering re-zoning the off-road areas to allow commercial business should be ashamed of themselves and should be removed from their position. If I wanted “Wings”, bait shops, restaurants, gift shops, bars, grocery stores, traffic, stop lights, crowds, etc… I would have bought property in Corolla.

• My husband and I own a house in Carova Beach. We enjoy going there all the time. We are against any commerical development in the off road area. Leave it residental and for the wild horses.
• My husband and I own a house in Carova. We are against any commerical development in the off-road area. Leave it residential only.
• We purchased property in Carova Beach in 1991 after vacationing in Corolla. We looked for beach property up and down the east coast for many years, but never dreamed there was a place like Carova Beach that was still undeveloped. It is truly unique. We are so glad to see others feel the same way and want to preserve it’s natural beauty. We don’t mind the 8-10 mile drive up the beach to Carova and hope there will be no paved roads. However, we do support the Mid-currituck bridge and believe the beach needs another way to evacuate its residents during storms.
• We have a canal lot and our transporation will be by boat, but even if we had to drive up and down the beach, we are still for sand roads, no pavement.
• i do agree im a 16 year old who owns property down there and ive ben going down there everysummer since i was born and ive seen other parts of duck and coralla devellop and turn into a ZOO i dont want the 4wd part to be the same
• It is our utmost goal, as it appears to be many homeowners in that area, to assist in anyway possible in protecting this unique area from commercialization. It is also our goal, when we do build, to do so with as minimal an environmental impact as possible. If you are aware of builders in the area that are sensitive to this sort of “minimal impact” philosophy…we would love to utilize them.
• Also…in reviewing the planning board minutes, it seems to be the same handful of developers that own the strips/chunks of land bordering the neighborhoods that continuously push for commercial development. One has only to research on the Currituck County Property mapping site to see how these developers have slowly bought up these strips of land. The land use policy, currituck planning board, and commissioners, seem to have many policies in place to prohibit development, but we all know that can change with the “tide” and with enough pressure, someone could cave. If one part of the system caves to developer pressure, it will truly open the door for developers to implement their multiple commercialization plans. I wholeheartedly support your efforts to try to stop this, and am willing to assist in whatever way possible. The planning board meetings and commissioner meetings seem to be the crux of where these decisions are made. An organized community movement that follows these proceedings and makes their voices heard would be a great way to advocate for the area (The community may already be doing this). The community being knowledgeable about the zoning rules/districts, land policies, and development strategies for the area will help as well when developers come try to “come in the back door” with rezoning requests. Again, I applaud your efforts to get this organized, and although I am not a full time resident yet, I am committed to doing my part in helping with this community effort.
• Someone needs to get these horses and their land protected no commercial on their home.. Or the same is going to happen to the Wild Ponies of Ocracoke they
• am an owner in corolla. I have been visiting the obx for 45 years. I am very concerned about the plans for commercial development in caerova and swan beach. Please put me on your email list and let me know what I can do to help.
• My family and I didn’t discover OBX until last year, when we fell in love. It’s remarkable with its beauty and realism. It truely is a dimond in the ruff, and if the commerical builders do build here it would become the ruff. Living up in the Poconos, one would think how beautiful it must be, and yes the moutains are beautiful but most of the people are not. Hardly anyone smiles anymore, and everyone is so caught up in their own lives trying to make money all the time. This is the one place I know I can come to, and be at peace, forget my troubles, and have people smile back. If they make this like every other vacation spot, it won’t be the same. To keep the nostaliga of this home for the horses, all of the wildlife, and the amazing people that live here safe we can’t sit still. This is nature at it’s best. Commerical building is people at their worst. I may just be a tourist but I respect this area for what it has to offer, and the power it has to bring families together. For the future generations, don’t let corporate greed ruin the dimond in ruff.
• This discussion of commercializing Carova is breaking my heart. We do not come there for dining out, go-carts, movie theaters, bowling, or any other event you can get anywhere else. We come to Carova for the ability to unplug from the world. To enjoy the ocean, the beach, the beautiful horses, the special shells we find strolling each day, the quietness, a time to come together as a complete family.. mine, my brother and sisters, my parents and all our children. I would not want to be on any other part of the Outer Banks. Please don’t change what we hoped would be a lifelong joy, this very special place.
• My family and I just returned home from a week’s stay in Corolla. We visited the 4X4 beach area and yes, did the touristy thing of doing one of those horse tours and loved every minute of it. The serene beauty of the Northern OBX far surpasses anything that commercial development could possibly bring. During our stay, we traveled down to Nags Head. I was astounded at the many store fronts that were closed especially in KDH. Even in Corolla and Duck… how many Wings, and other stores selling the same products do you need? What I am trying to say is this… the commerical development that is already there is enough. If a developer wants to come in and open up shop, well then do so in an area zoned for commercial and upgrade something already existing. Leave the Northern beaches in the OBX alone!!!!!
o Please preserve this most unique area. Next they will want a 7-11 or walmart up here. You owe it to future generations to protect this area. There is really nothing to be gained by approving commercialization of this beautiful part of our state.
• My wife and I have been property owners in Carova Beach since 1995. We built our vacation home there in 2005. We did not build a mega-mansion vacation rental. We built a 1400 sq ft home for our own personal use. We chose to build our vacation home in Carova because of the remoteness, seclusion, wildlife, and the areas natural beauty. Over the past few years we’ve noticed a substantial increase in vehicular traffic on the 4×4 beaches. We’ve also noticed increased vehicular congestion in the Swan Beach area where beach erosion has taken its toll. During the in-season, even at low tide, its difficult to drive on the beach in that particular area due to vehicular/pedestrian traffic, and vehicles parked on the beach. The construction of this proposed 300 room hotel along with stores and shops will cause even more traffic congestion in the Swan Beach area, and will most likely bring more traffic to our area in Carova. Please vote ‘No’ on this re-zoning request for commercial property. Don’t let the 4×4 area become an area of blacktop and reinforced concrete, and stucco commercial buildings.
• We own property in Carova. Commercial development in the beach area north of Corolla is unnecessary, even detrimental to the nature of that area. The Land Use Plan was developed after careful consideration and should be followed.
• This is a residential area and should remain that way.
• Why do we have to continue to argue this? It is another waste of dollars to even consider it. Leave the beaches alone. There is more than enough commercial space vacant and available for these companies to have shopping, etc. south of Swan Beach. Please leave it that way!
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• If the Army Corp of Engineers can’t sanction filling mud holes resulting from excess vehicular use and rain which have now become wetlands, how can commercial developement of such large acreage, mostly in the flood plane, even be considered? This seems an awfully greedy idea with not a hint of stewardship for a unique area that is our state’s alone.
• We struggle enough to get rentals every year. We don’t need to compete with a year round hotel in the 4WD area.
• This is a beautiful area where wild life still exists, such as the wild horses. Over the last 30+ years it has changed dramatically with ecological costs. the flora and fauna existing when it was an Audubon preserve with limited access. It has decreased significantly. The traffic is already high and conitnues to disrupt wild life and increasing the amount of garbage on the beach and on the ocean. It is sad to see fish and big turtles beached because they have been trapped by plastic and other human discards. Please protect this are. Do not allow commercial use. It will further deteriorate the ecological balance of the area. We need to be conscientious stewardess of the beautiful world we have. Let’s protect it for generations to come.
• Too much damage to the dunes and wild horse now by tourists ignoring warning signs.
• This would destroy all wildlife, horses and beach as we now know it!
• I purchased my property in Carova to be able to escape from retail and commercial areas. Please do not allow it to invade this beautiful area.
• This is about the last pristine coastal area on the NC beaches. To permit ths commercial development request would be a travesty and an insult to those who love and respect this environmental treasure
• This would destroy the natural beauty of this area. There is no need to bring commerical development in up there.
• We have been going to the Outer Banks for the past 16 years and purchased land in the North Banks for its undeveloped, pristine feel. Commercial development is NOT needed in this area and the lack of stores, hotels, etc. is exactly what draws folks to this area. Not to mention that the horses, which are already being impacted by the 4 wheel drive tours, will be further stressed and endangered by the commercial volumes. Strong NO!!!
• Strongly opposed to commercial development.
• ANY commercial development in the 4×4 area would be DEVISTATING to the already fragile environment, wildlife (horses, birds etc) and way of life. Please do not allow Commercial Developement in the 4×4 area. The decision to ban commercial developement in the 4×4 area was banned years ago!! Please stand your ground and keep it that way!!!!
• Please uphold the Land Use Plan and maintain the residential zoning of last remaining RURAL, residential development on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.
• I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS!
• Please Keep the 4 Wheel Drive Area Free of Commercial Property. Preserve this area as there is not another like it on the East Coast.
• Leave this area alone…we love it just as it is.
• We need to preserve some part of the the Corolla area. Why can’t we start with the 4WD beaches? Pls do the right thing and preserve the Northern Beaches. No commercial development.
• Please vote NO for keeping this unique and prestine area of NC clear of any commercial development.
• I urge any county representative considering commercial zoning to consider the hundreds of years of undeveloped history that this area represents. This is the last vestige of uncommercialized coastline on the Atlantic and it would border on criminal negiligence to open it up to commercial zoning.
• To allow commercialization in the off road area would to be destroying one of rare pristine beaches left in the United States. Don’t contribute to destroying this beautiful area.
• the commissioners know this would be disastrous to all concerned.
• The infrastructure would be great to accomodate that many more temporary living accomodations. I don’t think natural preserves would be left intact if that were to happen. This is one of the most unique nature areas in the US and I feel it should be kept that way since so much development is not necessary here and it is certainly not an area that is suitable for commercialization.
• There are plenty of other places that have already been ruined. I’m sure there is enough degraded landscape to go around, so whoever is behind this current proposal can surely find somewhere else to make their next profit.
• It seems as though the prospective developers keep attempting to catch residents and landowners asleep to push their money making objectives through. We do not need a fishing pier across from our front porch!
• With development going on everywhere, please spare the natural beauty, history and charm of this wonderful place. I have grown up visiting here, I have brought my children here many times a year over the years, and this is my 2nd year with my grandson. I want everyone to experience to wonderous, quaint, rare beaches of Sea Gull, Swan, Carova Beaches
• Keep it the way it is!We won’t come down anymore if it changes we would just to Maryland? Delaware beaches it’s closer.
• It is not needed and would destroy the very reason I visit this area.
• I am a Dare County resident. Please keep this area as unspoiled as possible. Look at some of the other projects of this developer and see the effects they have had on the environment. This should not be allowed in the off road area.
• We drive over 2 hours a day to visit this beach. Much more pleasant than what we have here at the beach.
• Please protect this beautiful area! We need our voices to be heard for the sake of the land, for the sake of the horses, for the sake of all the wild critters that call OBX home – not to mention all the people that love to visit. Please, please, please – don’t let OBX become a travesty in the name of more money!
• We are prospective property owners, and will be in the area this fall to look at lots. If this development is allowed, it would severely curtail our interest in the area.
• My family has been coming to the Outer Banks for 33 years. I have seen the commercial build up in the towns of Nags Head and Hatteras Island please do not let this happen to Carova and the other areas. I was just in Carova this past weekend and would hate to see one of the chain stores popup here. There is nothing to be done to save Hatteras Island with the commerical build up but please save this only untouched area.
• The area is so beautiful and there are very few places like this in the United States where the roads are sand and horses roam free. It would be stupid to make this area that seems to be a step back in time into a tourist attraction with shops and hotels. The whole point is to protect the horses, and this will just endanger there lives and ruin the uniqueness of the beautiful Outer Banks,
• Sometimes…”less is more”. All the development is ruining the charm of the Outer Banks. It is time to stop the development, and leave the existing dunes alone.
• I was unpleasantly surprised by the amount of development on Currituck Bank when I visited in 2008. Commercial development in the 4-wheel drive area is exactly the wrong thing to do. What is there now is unique. It would be a shame to turn it into another overdeveloped piece of beach.
• Why destroy the fine things nature has provided. If it is too commercial then no one will want to visit there.
• Please do not ruin any more of our beautiful beaches just so some greedy people can make more money.
• Please, please don’t spoil your natural beauty!! Once it’s gone, you can’t get it back! Plenty of places to stay already. The natural beauty is why we keep coming back and spending our hard earned money in the OBX. If the natural beauty goes away we won’t keep coming back!
• For many years my family, friends and I have patronized the Outer Banks on North 12 specifically the Carova area. If commercial development of the area is approved I can state unequivocally that the Outer Banks and Corolla/Duck area will not receive anymore of our vacation dollars or possible relocation from my family in the future. If you or any of your staff wish to have a more in depth conversation regarding this matter my contact information is listed below. Joe Cotellessa vibenation@gmail.com (703) 447-7343 5427 Plymouth Meadows Court Fairfax, VA 22032 Since I was a little boy my family has been part of the Outer Banks experience. My grandmother bought property in Corolla long before the Food Lion ever even thought of breaking ground, and my family rented property each year in the Corolla area even long before that. We watched the Outer Banks grow and develop into a perfect blend of city life, bars, shopping, the hustle and bustle of a vacation resort area that is currently balanced perfectly by little pockets of wild area that visitors and even the horses can grab a little piece of solitude, but a tiny section of the Outer Banks is being considered for development, yet again… Please do not approve any future heavy development of Carova. This is a unique place that does not need to change, there is PLENTY of room for the hustle, bustle, and development in other areas of the Outer Banks.
• Please let the horses in their natural habitat. We love going to watch them when we are on vacation.
• This beautiful area should be protected and set up as a historical landmark or national park area.so it cannot be disturbed. One commercial property will open up the area to commercialization and destroy its future.
• There are many other commercialized vacation destinations…the main reason we choose to visit the Outer Banks and in particular Carova, Swan Beach, etc. is because of the lack of commercialization. If you allow this rezoning to take affect, you will destroy the very reason so many visitors choose this area over others. I personally have friends that visited after we did last summer because of the rarity of such a place and I have several more friends and family that plan on making a visit. However, if this is allowed it will change the future plans of all of us. We will seek out other unique vacation locals. We are completely uninterested in vacationing in a commercialized location. Thank you for doing the right thing and voting no to this rezoning.
• I am absolutely appalled that this would even be considered. Commercial development would be detrimental to the horses and the natural beauty of the northern beaches. One of the main reasons my family vacations there is because it is remote and uncongested, this would be a horrible thing to happen.
• If the Commissioners want to see what the ultimate result will be of the wrong decision, drive about 5 hours North and see what has happened to the once pristine beaches of the South Jersey Shore where I grew up. It ain’t pretty! H F Lawton, Jr. Orange VA
• I can’t believe you want to take the last of the natural beauty and the wildlife from the OBX. Leave the Northern beaches alone!!!!! There is plenty of commerical development that is already there. I have never seen so many stores for such a small space. I started coming out there several years ago, when the horses run free. I was so disappointed when they were fenced, but understood it was for their safety. I loved it when there were so few stores and businesses. I can remember having to hunt all the way down the islands just to find a candy bar……I thought that was so cool. Now look what you have done to it.I can’t believe you would rather make it so much more commercialized than leave the beauty for others to enjoy.!! There isn’t any problem finding a candy bar now! Wish it was that way again.
• our children and their children should be able to see and enjoy this beautiful area and it’s uniqueness (ie; PONIES) just as I and my parents did.
• WHEN ARE YOU MEN GOING TO PUT YOUR GREED ASIDE..WHY IS THAT $$$ SIGNS IS ALL YOU SEE…WHEN GOD GAVE US ALL THIS NATURAL BEAUTY..HOW CAN YOU THINK THAT PUTTING UP FENCES IS PROTECTING OUR WILD SPANISH HORESES..HOW..WILD AND FENCES..DONT GO TOGETHER..YOU’RE ONLY TRYING TO PROTECT YOUR $$ MAKE’N VENTURE…LEAVE IT ALONE..LEAVE IT ALONE..LEAVE…IT ….ALONE….
• This should “NOT” happen! Do not destroy the beauty of the area by making it commercialized! That is one of the main reasons I go out of my way to drive 700 miles to visit every year! You take that away I will NOT come again after this year
• Rezoning this area would be a great loss. I hope this is voted against .. I think commercial rezoning would be the begining of the end of a very special area that should remain unspoiled.
• Untill we get to heaven, the four wheel drive area is the heaven on earth. Please no commercial zoning.
• We go there for the purpose of it NOT being commercial. Please don’t ruin our vacation spot.
• I spend 5 to 6 weeks a year vacationing in the 4×4 area of Swan Beach and Carova Beach. We are currently starting the process to buy land there, so that we may someday be able to show our children’s children what it means to “live”. As residents of CT, we have seen every inch of our shoreline ruined with commercialism. There is no place left in the country like the Northern Outer Banks. I beg of you, please put an end to this proposal of commercial development of ANY KIND. This is it folks, it’s all that’s left of pure beauty and raw life. Don’t ruin it. FIGHT for all commercialism to stay out of 4×4, no matter how wonderful they make it sound and how “natural” and “green” they plan to make their storefronts and hotels. I have seen this happen to Nantucket Island over the past 30 yrs… DON’T RUIN THE 4×4 area and the beautiful home these horses have. I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world on my 6 wks off from work each year except for Swan Beach and Carova BEACH. I will drive to Corolla to get gas, food, and anything else that I need during my time there. We need to preserve this amazing strip of land that is left untamed. PLEASE, there are only 10 miles left of this beautiful paradise. Don’t give in…keep fighting because they will find a way to coome in a backdoor by lining someone’s pockets.
• commercial development will ruin this area.
• We fell in love with this off the road area years ago and could not believe there was still an area that was so peaceful and beautiful. We were thrilled to finally see NO commercial developments because we are originally from SC and have seen the destruction commercial zoning has done to our beloved coast. Enough is Enough !!! Please save this treasured jewel and allow those special animals including us humans a place to enjoy what God has given.
• As a resident of Corova I STRONGLY oppose and disagree with the prospect of commercializing the off-road areas. The impact would be devastating to the environment, to the wild horses, and to the residents who choose to buy property in Corova to get away from the commercializing that has over-run Corolla and all points south along the shoreline. If we, as residents, want to fish off a pier we’ll make the drive south to Kill Devil Hills. But we don’t, we don’t mind surf fishing. If vacationers want a weekend stay in a hotel, then send them south to Nag’s Head. More commercialization will obviously bring in more traffic. More traffic will demand paved roads. Do we REALLY want paved roads in a recognized National State Park? I would dread the day that I would have to tell my children and their children that “No, you can’t go out and play because there’s too much traffic.” And let us not forget about the “wild” horses. If this proposal goes through that would mean that less of an area for these beautiful creatures to roam, more human intervention that has been proven deadly to them, and ending with a landslide effect of these horses becoming extinct; so much for designating them as the State Horse. Any commissioner who is using even one brain cell in considering re-zoning the off-road areas to allow commercial business should be ashamed of themselves and should be removed from their position. If I wanted “Wings”, bait shops, restaurants, gift shops, bars, grocery stores, traffic, stop lights, crowds, etc… I would have bought property in Corolla.