Development Plans Approved for Expanded and Improved Island Harbor Marina Facility

Article from Emerald Tidings, composed monthly by Town Manager Frank Rush
Development plans for the planned improvement and expansion of Island Harbor Marina were formally approved by the Board of Commissioners in March, and the owners are moving forward with the project. The improved and expanded marina facility will include a new wet slip configuration, a new dry stack boat storage facility, a new retail store, swimming pool, and water-side restaurant...READ MORE>>

Marina Project Approved

Article from Tideland News, by LIZ MACLEAN | Published: March 24, 2010
With slight revisions, plans proposed for Island Harbor Marina were approved at the conclusion of a special meeting of the Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners March 17. Commissioners determined the proposed design of two dry stack buildings, which are to be built in two separate phases of construction, complied with the town’s ordinances regarding large commercial buildings. The ordinances call for variations in roofline and other design features to prevent an overly "box-like" appearance.

Commissioner Floyd Messer initiated the motion to "approve the project as presented with the addition of a cupola on the east and west side" of the proposed dry stack building. The board’s unanimous approval of the plans came after an hour-long discussion about details of those plans.

Initially, not all board members were pleased with the plans presented at the meeting. Commissioners John Wootten and Nita Hedreen expressed dissatisfaction with the plans, which had been revised to incorporate feedback from the March 9 regular meeting. Wootten and Hedreen both were concerned that the proposed design provided insufficient variation to the overall appearance of the structure, and therefore failed to meet the standards of the town’s ordinances. Wootten said he had been under the impression more design elements would be featured above the roofline itself. For Hedreen, the concern was that design elements would not protrude or stand tall enough to sufficiently vary the roofline. "The intention of the ordinance has not been met yet to me," Hedreen said.

Architect Stephanie Van Noordt of Southport explained that decorative additions to the roofline needed to include considerations such as drainage routing for the second dry stack building, which will abut the first once it is built. "We don’t know the timeline between the construction of phase one and phase two," Van Noordt said.

Andy Harris, a lawyer representing Island Harbor Marina’s owners, Maritime Siblings, LLC, responded to the board’s concerns by pointing out that the price tag of meeting all the board’s demands would be too high for the owners. "The project cannot be built by having hundreds of thousands of dollars in decoration on all four sides. I cannot dispute with you that what you’re suggesting won’t make a great looking building, but it’s just not practical," Harris said.

Rhett Ricks, who owns Island Harbor Marina along with siblings Georgia Murray and Robin Herring, asked to speak. "Look behind you," Ricks said, calling the board’s attention to the crowd seated and standing in the town hall meeting room. Ricks indicated that these people would be adversely affected by the project’s increasing costs, because those costs would ultimately be offset by the marina’s patrons. "You’re taking away from the Emerald Isle customer who can afford to come and use this facility," Ricks said. Applause from the attendees followed.

The board stood its ground that matching cupolas would be required for the east and west sides of the building, which will be less ornate than the north and south sides, but agreed to the rest of the plans as they were presented. "We hope that this structure stands for many, many years," Hedreen said. She added that she supports the project, though she had felt it necessary to question design elements along the way in order to ensure the plans resulted in the best project possible.

Mayor Art Schools voiced his approval of the project. "Modern dry stack facilities are large buildings," he said. "It is a challenge to make them aesthetically pleasing and still remain financially feasible. In my opinion, both goals have been attained in the design of the dry stack marina." Schools also said that the marina would help attract visitors to Emerald Isle. "Water access facilities are in short supply in all North Carolina coastal areas," he added. "This dry stack, in addition to the boat launching facility that will be built next to Chapel-by-the-Sea, will be a very important addition to the boating community and will be important attractions for Emerald Isle as a vacation destination."

The boat launching facility next to Chapel-by-the-Sea is expected to open to the public later this year. Island Harbor Marina will become an entirely private facility, but has agreed to maintain its daily boat access until the new public facility is available.

Island Harbor Marina project passes Emerald Isle’s Board of Commissioners unanimously.

Maritime Siblings LLC, would like to send our thanks to everyone who has made this project a possibility:

Island Harbor Marina Customers and Patrons
The Town of Emerald Isle
The Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners
The Emerald Isle Planning Board
Andy Harris and The Harris Law Firm
Ron Culipher and Ginger Turner, Stroud Engineering P.A.
Stephanie VanNoordt, VanNoordt Architecture P.A.
Bill Roof and Tim Burris, Roof and Rack
Mark Johnson
Randy Stephens
David Pagliughi
Bentley Brooks
Eric Pake
David Newton
Friends of the Marina
Jimmy Woolard, Kenny Heverly and JoAnn Summers
Greg and Mindy Dennis, The Reel Outdoors
Kris Shoffner and Family, Flipperz
Hank Bowman
Dan Allen
Parker Barham
The Carl Abee Family
RSM McGladrey, Joy Bell
BT Wood, The Ultimate Yacht Company
Steve Kenny, Carteret Community College
Captain Ben Moss, Sarah II Charters
Captain Jay Blount, Deacon Blues Fishing
David Willis, EJW Outdoors
Budda Howard, Jay Ahlquist and Jackie Jones, First Citizens Bank
Randy and Cindy Gaskins
Boyce Mann
Rick Garrett
David Wood, Parker GMC
Ricky Taylor, Bogue Sound Septic and Grading, Inc
Scott Cunningham, Onslow Grading and Paving, Inc.
Rick Lang
Randy Guthrie, Island Plumbing
Danny Taylor, Outdoors Solutions
Paul Murray
Bill and Kim Hunter and Carolyn Pikoulas, Wilmington Design Company

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Panel tables project’s OK

Article from Tideland News, by LIZ MACLEAN | Published: March 10, 2010
It will take at least one more meeting for the Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners to determine if redevelopment plans for Island Harbor Marina are consistent with the town’s unified development ordinance.

Redevelopment plans at the marina include a waterfront restaurant, retail store, swimming pool and dry stack facilities. Existing wet slips will be reconfigured as well. Maritime Siblings, LLC, is developing the project.

Commissioners tabled the matter in order to consider the appearance of large commercial buildings. That meeting is planned for next week. The UDO states that visual breaks along the exterior wall of a commercial building must occur every 20 feet to avoid a box-like appearance...READ FULL ARTICLE >

Plans Submitted for Redevelopment

Article from Emerald Tidings, composed monthly by Town Manager Frank Rush
The owners of Island Harbor Marina are proceeding with plans to redevelop the marina with improved wet slips, a new dry stack facility, a new retail store, and a new waterfront restaurant. Development plans have been submitted for review by Town staff, and will be considered by the Planning Board at their February meeting. The Board of Commissioners will then conduct a final review of the plans after the Planning Board review is complete.

The new marina will not include a daily boat launching facility, however, the Town and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NC WRC) are proceeding with the construction of a new public boat launching facility adjacent to Chapel By The Sea. The owners of Island Harbor Marina have agreed to keep their daily boat launching facility open until the new Town / NC WRC facility is open in late 2010.

Island Harbor Marina: Doggone Friendly

We welcome visitors to walk your dog at Island Harbor Marina. You may utilize the grass area on the east side of the marina. Don't forget to clean up after your pet! Thank you.