The Currituck County Board of Commissioners (North Carolina) unanimously approved a zoning change that could allow a 335-site campground on the H2OBX Waterpark property in Powells Point.
According to a report, its applicant, H20BX Waterpark Ltd., would still need to go back to the commissioners to obtain plan approval to begin the H2OBX RV & Waterpark Resort development. If built, the campground would feature RV campsites, tent sites, and cabins that would be constructed in at least two phases.
The campground, which would be accessible from the existing waterpark’s entrance, will have a swimming pool, playground, pickleball courts, cornhole courts, shuffleboard courts, volleyball courts, a lodge, and pavilion, golf cart rentals, and a dog park.
Currituck County Planning Director Kevin Kemp told commissioners at the meeting that the proposal is the first to be submitted for campgrounds since they amended the zoning ordinance in February that permits the use in certain instances. Of the total 97 acres that constitute the site, 60 of that will be used for the campground,
Kemp explained that the site’s development would be carried out in two phases due to the capacity of the wastewater plant on site.
The plant is equipped for the initial phase; however, if additional facilities are needed for the next phase, H2OBX would need to get the necessary permits from the state.
One of the requirements included in the zoning change was that the project engineer determines how many campsites are available and what amenities will be included in the first phase.
Jerry Siever, who lives adjacent to the waterpark on Lucinda Lane, is one of the residents who spoke at the public hearing and expressed traffic safety concerns.
“This is a great-looking project here,” Siever said. “But I want all of you to listen very carefully because it will happen…if there ain’t a light there and campers are coming out of there, someone is gonna be killed. I’m telling you.”
Commissioner Selena Jarvis, who made the motion to approve the zoning change and included the requirement for a traffic study on the conditions list, advised residents to visit the N.C. Department of Transportation’s website and express their concerns about the need for a traffic light on the property.
“I realize this is a conditional rezoning [application],” said Jarvis. “But I think we need to voice our concerns for the next step. If this conditional zoning is approved tonight, I really believe that the next step is not going to be as palatable,”
“It’s dangerous to live in Lower Currituck,” she noted, adding that “we don’t get some of these concerns addressed…this is not gonna make it any less dangerous.”
Ken Ellis of H2OBX Waterpark said he’d be in favor of a traffic study and would push for a traffic light at the entrance, which would be up to the N.C. Department of Transportation to install.
Ellis noted that the applicant was looking to do a first-class facility.
“Obviously, we’re very keen on Lower Currituck, we’ve invested down there, and we have a nice recreational property,” he told the commissioners.
“We do think this will be a good complement for the area and the park itself. They do work well together.”
This story originally appeared on The Outerbank’s Voice.
You know, apart from the cool stuff like a swimming pool and all, that H2OBX Waterpark property in North Carolina is going to have nature trails and picnic spots at the campground too. Maybe they could add some speed bumps or signs to keep things safe with the traffic worries from the locals.