Nags Head moves to limit outdoor vendors

One commissioner said she didn’t want Nags Head to look like Florida. The Planning Board sought to head off a “carnival atmosphere.”

On Wednesday, the town Board of Commissioners voted on limiting the number of outdoor produce, hot dog and coffee stands that can operate at a retail shopping center, but fell short of the needed majority to make it the law.

Voting 3-2, the board will have to come back for a second reading to consider ordinance amendments that include allowing only one stand of any kind per site. Passing it the first time needed at least a 4-1 vote.

Mayor Bob Oakes, one of the no votes, looked at the practical side. What if he wanted coffee with his hot dog?

But Anna Sadler said she’s heard concerns about outdoor kiosks. Sadler, who noted that she had seen a large number of stands while in Florida, said there have been “a lot of people out there grumbling, ‘This is not Nags Head,’ ”

The discussion followed three measures since May of last year. The first permitted produce stands as accessory uses to shopping centers. Hot dog stands were added next, then coffee kiosks. One of each is allowed outside a shopping center.

Nags Head’s pending amendment says that only one outdoor stand, whether for produce, hot dogs or coffee, would be allowed at any one site. It limits produce stands to operating 180 days a year between May 1 and Nov. 1. Coffee and hot dog stands could operate year-round but would have to be removed after each business day.

The produce stand at Austin Seafood, commissioners were told, would not be subject to the regulations because it is considered an extension of the existing market with the same product — food — and it is not outside a shopping center.

Commissioner Doug Remaley also voted against the amendments.

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