The debate continues Feb. 26 over whether to issue South End Surf Shop owner Jeffrey DeGroote a conditional use permit to open a coffee shop in the currently vacant second floor of his surf shop building.
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen decided it did not have the necessary information to vote on the matter during its Feb. 12 meeting and opted to reconvene Feb. 26 after the board of adjustment meeting.
Town leaders want to know how — or if — they are able to regulate the sale of alcohol in Wrightsville Beach, an issue that relates not just to DeGroote’s proposed shop but to any business in town operating with a conditional use permit.
During the Feb. 12 meeting, DeGroote said he had no intention of opening a bar, but he does intend to sell wine and beer by the bottle. Residents living in the vicinity of the proposed shop said once DeGroote gets a license from the state to sell alcohol, the town cannot control when he sells it.
They said, technically, the town can make him close at 10:30 p.m. but he could continue selling alcohol until 2 a.m. DeGroote asked how it would be possible for him to sell drinks while his business was closed.
Despite DeGroote’s promises, the residents were still concerned by the ambiguity surrounding the sale of alcohol. They wanted proof that the proposed shop, which they said is located within a family neighborhood, would not escalate into a bar scene.
Since the Feb. 12 meeting, town attorney John Wessell has been researching the town’s ability to directly or indirectly regulate the sale of alcohol. He will present his findings to the board Feb. 26.
Town manager Tim Owens said at the time of the meeting the board could also choose to reopen the public hearing.
The aldermen will also meet as the board of adjustment Feb. 26 to consider allowing a property owner build closer to the water than the town’s stormwater ordinance permits because the unique lot is bordered on two sides by Banks Channel.
The petitioner, builder Christopher Parker, Parker Construction Group requested a variance to the stormwater permit to build a proposed single-family residence at 1 Auditorium Drive. The current town ordinance states waterfront buildings cannot be constructed within 30 feet of the highwater line.
In his application, Parker claims the ordinance would push construction back unnecessarily due to what he describes as the property’s dual beaches. The peculiar shoreline, the application states, is a result of erosion under the Causeway Bridge.
Stormwater runoff would be mitigated by an engineered system that would have the same or better control over stormwater entering Banks Channel, Parker said in the application.
Should the town grant the stormwater permit, the proposed residence would then undergo a review by the Coastal Resources Commission.
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