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Here’s the dirt on that big mound in Kill Devil Hills
A number of folks have asked us about the huge pile of dirt along the bypass where the Pet Gallery once stood.
Some expressed concern over the potential height of the new building and whether the extreme elevation would create a storm-water runoff problem.
The occupant of the lot will be an AutoZone store, and no, the new building is not competing with Jockey’s Ridge or the dune at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
A citizen queried the Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners about the lot at it July 9 meeting.
Meredth Guns, the town’s assistant planning director gave the short answer: Don’t worry!
The site developer is using a type of soil compaction called the “surcharge method.” It uses the force of gravity to compact the soil. Over the next three weeks ,the soil will compact naturally, then the top 5 to 8 feet will be removed before construction.
There will also be sufficient storm-water retention to handle a 10-year, two-hour storm (4.3 inches).
The final elevation will be 13 feet, which Guns said is about equivalent to that of the nearby Walgreens.
See what people are saying:
Join the discussion:
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Glenn says:
I read somewhere that one of the 2 buildings removed on that site was the old Kitty Hawk school at one time. If true, just another example of an historic old building lost to development here.
charlie says:
Didn’t we just get over 6 inches in a short time recently?
Where will the run off go after the 10 year, two hour storm volume is reached? I am sure the folks downstream would like to know?
If the prior elevation did not seem to flood, why are they allowed to increase the elevation?
Dare county family says:
We don’t need another car part store. Can we please get something new here.
Frank Moore says:
Why does the response of “Don’t worry!” from KDH assistant planning director, Meredth Guns, cause me to worry. Actually almost all responses recently from KDH town leaders(?)involving trust issues cause me to worry.
JimH says:
Another chain store that we don’t need. KDH is slowly morphing into any town USA.
XZDC says:
………..”..Dont worry ! ” Ok, now I will , for sure.
)
Rob Morris says:
Glenn — Yes. I’ve added a link to a previous story.
Carrie says:
Yet another eye sore (i,e Lowes, Wings, Wings, and MORE Wings) DESTROYING the outer banks.
obxer says:
I agree. Another car part place. There seems to be one every mile down the road. There must be a lot of money to be made in that kind of business to have so many. We need some businesses at the OBX to attract visitors and locals. As a local, I travel out of town to do my shopping, eating, and etc. Also, if the OBX does get something new we have to pay a higher price than anyone else. The cost of living in a beautiful place I guess.
KDH Rezident Evil says:
With the way things are going with the drought across the country, they might reconsider the auto parts store and just leave it as terraced farmland. We might need some local produce here soon if things stay parched everywhere to the west.
obxer says:
I agree with Carrie…….Yet another eye sore (i,e Lowes, Wings, Wings, and MORE Wings) DESTROYING the outer banks…… Sick and tired of the same ole things.
Tea says:
I agree with the eyesore .How many Wings do we need? A nice new department store would be great. Something the locals can use.
Local says:
Don’t worry my @$$. Anyone want to come see my house after a rain? I was also told “don’t worry”. Now I live in a pond!
charlie says:
“soil compaction” Like in water will not percolate but run off very quickly.
Monty montcalm says:
Why stop a t CAr Parts Stores….. How about BANKS !!!! Are there THAT many people living on the OBX THAT make THAT much money that we need THAT many BANKS ???
Watchdog says:
Hate all these chain stores but can’t wait for Olive Garden and Target.
Harold says:
The time to stop Wings was a long time ago! We missed that chance. Now we have Super Wings. KDH and KH need to toughen up like Nags Head!
Jim Poulos says:
Charle! For your information I can remember the water being inside the pet gallery so It did flood at heavy rains. For those of you that dont like the Wings please realize we do not have Wings here on the Outer Banks. There are 27 of them in Myrtle Beach. Our Stores are the Super Wings that tend to cater more to the locals than some of the other Beach stores. As far as Lowes goes. I can remeber living between two Roses stores and felt like a thorn on the bush. Competition brings good to all.
Dperg says:
lol @ the posters ranting about Wings in an Autozone article. So many on this site are in desperate need of s good trolling.
Darecountyschools says:
I was so praying for an Ihop
Free Choice says:
If you don’t want something on that lot or any other lot You should buy it and developed it. It is called free enterprise.
Jodie Futch says:
Same height as Walgreens? That’s great! We will be drowning in the middle.
KDH Resident says:
Yup – just like the run off from Lowe’s isn’t going to affect the folks behind them on Canal and Ketch. Right!!
“Don’t worry” is Meridith’s response? what a bunch of b.s. I guess the good tax paying folks that live here don’t deserve a better answer than that??
Fifi says:
Auto parts store? Really? Disgusted.
rodger says:
Sorry for you guys living on the outerbanks but you are living in a tourist zone and it WILL look like any other beach tourist location one day. I expect it will rival Miami and Fort Laurdedale…. You can’t stop it. The time to stop it was YEARS ago when the people living there could have developed very restrictive rules on growth (Like Edenton did). Now, you have to live with it or move somewhere more quiet – good luck finding that place!
G says:
I don’t even feel like I’m at the beach when I drive through KDH. It’s urban-sprawl-anywhere-USA.
Ugly!
OBX Resident says:
All of the development came in with everyone of you that moved here. As a multi-generational resident I to am to blame. My ancestors nearly 200 years ago built a house, made a family and went from there. With each and everyone of you that are complaining about “development” you are part of the “development”. I go to town meetings and often no one speaks at the public comment period. These meetings are your chance to change the zoning etc. I voted this past week at around 3.00 and only about 55 people had voted at the precinct. I guess it is much easier to pratice NIMBYism and vent on the internet, than really work to protect ones community in a productive manner. And by the way Meredith is doing her job. She is not an elected official. She is simply enforcing the zoning regulations. It would be chaos if she did not respect the law and enforce it equitably.
Duke says:
I remember someone asking me how to stop a new Wings store from going up in NH. My response was simple. Buy the property yourself or tell everyone to stop shopping there. No one wants to buy a property and not develop it. Do we need an Olive Garden? We have 3 Italian restaurants that have opened up in the last year, La Dolce Vita in Manteo, Franco’s KDH and Josephine’s in Kitty Hawk. If you frequent them there will be no use for the fake Italian that is served at Olive Garden. Were the Meekins family supposed to hold on to that property for infinity? That is why they sold to Lowes. I imagine if it was a Target there would have been a lot less opposition. If we do not grow the tax base we die. Everyone is paranoid about a tax increase this year but if we did not have the development where else would the money for services come from. No one wanted any more houses, well you got your wish and construction companies were forced to bankruptcy and unemployment in Construction industry rose to over 30%. No one wants to see the fill put on property to raise buildings above flood levels but these are the rules our state and federal environmental depts have forced on us. I think the towns do a pretty admirable job regulating storm water without having to resort to expensive engineered systems. Is it perfect, no, but our sounds have remained relatively clean except for the areas where there is no development and wildlife has polluted. Do we not want McDonald’s? Well why is there a 15 car backup at the drivein every morning. Like Yogi said, No one goes there anymore, it is too crowded. I am reminded of an OBV story a few years ago where Russ went to Hatteras for a fishing tournament and forgot underwear. He soon discovered that there was no store on Hatteras to buy underwear. Ask the old time locals what it was like 25 years ago. We are blessed with fine local owned restaurants but we probably will see fewer and fewer since the startup costs are so expensive and the regulatory environment is so restrictive no one can afford it except the chains. No I don’t have the answers but complaining about things on the internet solves nothing. Good luck to the auto parts store. I don’t have the money to replace my cars and trucks every few years as in the past. I need parts to keep my cars running. I prefer NAPA since it is locally owned.
KHer says:
The great thing about capitalism and free enterprise is that IF there are “too many” of anything the least competitive will be culled out. Freedom is a great thing.
Maybe then you’ll get your IHOP!
Allan says:
KHer, that isn’t quite how things work out. All of the ‘same stores’ will be impacted and hurt economically. Only the one(s) that already have money to keep them going will survive.
cjs says:
Duke makes some excellent points.. couldn’t have said it better myself, the post is well worth a good read….
old school says:
Yep, I concur with the Duke Back in the day when the by-pass was a two lane road we just took things a little slower, now that we have become famous as the best beach or a great marriage destination or our restaurants are so good we have cast aside that man or family that made a living fishing the seas or crabbing and opted for the way of the rest of the world, so new development got you implants all upset???, get over it you are the reason that most of it is now the norm.
KDH Resident says:
Yup – IHOP will probably go in to the old Lowe’s building when they close their doors in October.
Ron R says:
The water parks are gone, the amusement park is gone, bumper boats gone, just about every little sleepy motor court on the beach road gone. The list goes on. A lot of it replaced with over priced shotty McMansions, office space and crappy unnecessary retail. Paradise has been lost for awhile now but the tourist will have plenty of auto parts options when visiting and shopping on our lovely sand bar. The cost of starting up a business by the small guy and continuing to do business around here and succeed for the long term is just about impossible.
Kitty Hawk Tom says:
The Outer Banks used to be a great place to live and visit. Commercialization is ruining the island. Anyone want to buy a house ? Im leaving !!!
chaser says:
IHOP, Olive Garden, etc…are gross, if you like your meals shipped in on a truck and heated up for you then go ahead drive to VA. There are plenty of good “local” restaurants that serve breakfast and italian food. Maybe you should move to Myrtle or Va Beach.
longtimeresident says:
Duke is right in his comments but add to that – ask the native families about growth. they remember all the years when your kids came out of school, parents gave them a bus ticket and sent them away to find jobs. Growth = jobs even in a bad economy. Many a father drove to Norfoflk to the Ford plant, stayed in a rooming house and came home for the week-end. OBX natives left for the oil fields, DC for govt. jobs, the Coast Guard and whatever jobs they could get AWAY from home. Most were very lucky if they could come home for retirement. I have never heard the native families complain about growth. Quit complaining about free enterprise. why not ask the owners of Wings “how many local folks do you employ in any given year – how much did you contribute to the Y and other charities” and then say “thank you”.
charlie says:
Why did Meredith say: “Don’t worry”. Because the town doesn’t have to.
On the town’s website read the “Before You Fill” letter. To quote: “Issues of liabilty that may arise from stormwater flooding a property because of the fill on another property are civil matters between the property owners involved.”
The town gives an approval to build but backs out of its duty to protect existing property owners….Slick move, huh?
cjs says:
Charlie, I will read the information on the town website…. I have a home that is right next to a “new” house where fill dirt was brought in… now my lot (and home) floods every time it rains…. I have always wondered how that was legal….? hmmm…. everybody please take notice to this situation, there are lots of properties in KDH where this is currently going on….
Fish says:
Duke – the sound is clean except for where it isn’t developed and wildlife has polluted it? Are you kidding me?
Jessnobx says:
We need a waterpark again!! Not another auto store. I am mother to a 2 year old who is not yet old enough for the waves and heat of the beach not to meantion the salt water burns his eyes, we need more things for kids and the younger crowd to do. Our kids have very little to do here and our younger crowd is turning this place in to drug and drinking central!! When will someone realize we need more positive activities, anything! And if they are worried about money?!? It will by far pay off!!
friend of Jimmy says:
There was nothing “historic” about that place. Why do people want to put that lable on just about anything? A 1987 Yugo is 25 years old and qualifies as a “historic” or “antique” car and it’s anything but that. Junk in = junk out.
Dare county family says:
Jessnobx you are so right. They need to make it affordable too. They can’t jack up the price cause it is the beach. I am so tired of everyone saying prices are higher cause it is the beach. Because prices are so high us small businesses can’t make it here.
Frank Moore says:
@ KDH Resident, how do you know thst Lowe’s is closing in October ????
Stan Clough says:
Charlie, your first line is correct. There was no reason to worry. The covering of the footprint of a building with 8 feet of fill material to compact the sub surface material is a common practice. It assures the ground accepts the building foundation well. it is removed after proper time and construction begun. There is an approved site plan and it is being followed and enforced. No Problem.
The issue of an auto parts store, is separate. Someone said they were driving down the by-pass and it did not feel like they were at the beach. They were not at the beach. They were driving on the by-pass. With growth comes problems. We do need a water park. Anyone want to donate their land ? We have a wonderful place to live, we all need to understand what it takes to keep our area the ever improving destination and living environment that it is.
Powells Point says:
10-year storm? We seem to have several of those a year. I would think it’s time to re-evaluate the term 10-year storm as it’s associated with 4.3″ of rain. For all these retention ponds, we sure do have a lot of storm runoff ending up on the roads.
G says:
I’m not saying that development is bad. The bypass in Nags Head does not look ‘as bad’ as KDH, because they have larger setbacks. It’s not as crowded.
Some folks may like the hustle and bustle, I don’t. I bought a vacation home here as a getaway, someplace different.
Now when I come, it looks more and more like what I’m trying leave behind.
I understand that locals need to make a living, but this cookie-cutter development, with large, national retailers is really destroying the uniqueness of the area.
Local says:
Charlie, you are dead on! If your lot gets flooded, you have to take the adjoining property owners to court. If you are a local and are employed on the Outer Banks, that will cost you about one month’s salary to write a letter telling the property owner you are taking them to court. That’s why nothing is done. Whoeever makes the most money wins. Average working families mean nothing to the towns! Any tax dollars collected for stormwater are spent on more affluent neighborhoods. The town officials know this and do nothing. Believe me, I’ve written letters and met with them personally.
friend of Jimmy says:
Hopefully they won’t fly a bunch of tacky flags; put up illegal signage that the Town doesn’t enforce; put out a bunch of tack sandwich signs and “display” a bunch of junk in front of their new business. This place is starting to look like Myrtle Beach.
Ron Strachan says:
That is called Static compaction not really good in sand. Best compaction in sand is Vibration — which can be done a number of ways. These people are going to make their property higher than ajoining neighbors and P O THEM. See how much they remove and how much they spread around before becoming critical. Then again maby they are just plain smart and wanted attention — They sure got it didn’t THEY.
Chris says:
I’ve seen a lot of good points in here and a lot of gripe. The OBX is a tourist destination anymore not the pristine fishing area it used to be. Development will not stop if everyone has the “will” on an internet post but not in public. If you look elsewhere like the Atlnatic beach area,they got rid of all the family fun places and put up condo’s…well guess what now. those condos are empty and foreclosed and we hire carnivals that set up in the summertime to do exactly what they destroyed years before. There is still more for a family to do on the OBX than anywhere in the AB or PKS area. At least if it is a chain then there will be jobs for some locals that is not just for the summer..
Local&lovin' it says:
As an old Outer Banker once told me “everybody wants to be the last one over the bridge”.
If you are concerned about what you see happening here, then get involved and fight back! That’s what Carolista Fletcher Baum did and that’s why we have Jockey’s Ridge State Park instead of development there!
As for Jessnobx and your concerns. Dare County continues to be a good place to live – I challenge you to open the business you think will make a difference; that will improve our community, entertain teens and keep them off drugs. Meanwhile, take your kids to the many local historic sites; go see the wild horses, climb the ridge … there is a lot to do right here in our own backyard.
As for businesses we need? You can find most everything (including great pancakes) you need right here – shop locally! Not only will you save some gas money and help support our local economy but you will discover hundreds of terrific shops and great restaurants. The tourists sure love to shop here why wouldn’t we?
obxdad says:
Duke makes great points, as do several others.
I’ll continue to shop at NAPA as I like Brant Murray, but it’s hardly going to hurt to have a few more year round jobs. Is autozone a franchise or corporate owned chain?
The only thing I think we need to fight is corporate owned chain restaurants and businesses – they will suck money out of our local economy and send it back to corporate headquarters.
It’s a typical pattern – once development reaches a certain stage, the corporate chains move in and put all the local owners out of business, replaced with minimum wage jobs.
Concered says:
so Stan Clough says:It assures the ground accepts the building foundation well. it is REMOVED after proper time and construction begun. There is an approved site plan and it is being followed and enforced. No Problem.
Have yet to see any sand removed! I call B**LS**T as always. Tell the Pet Gallery ‘No Problem” when she is flooded as she will be in a gully!
charlie says:
Has anybody looked recently at this site? Looks like they are setting their elevations. I think it is time to “worry” How about looking back into this and getting builders on record as to elevations and flood water controls.
Just up the street says:
The site, after elevations have been set, is noticeably higher than the lot at Walgreens.
Jodie Futch says:
I change my mind and I do not think I will be ” drowning in the middle”. I have spoken with the planning department and with the guys working next door and they have calmed my fears. I feel confident that we will be fine!