Town of Nags Head 2005-2006 CAMA Land and Water Use Plan Board of Commissioners Public Survey Update June 7, 2006

Public Survey Last completed in 1996 Provides public input for key issues Questions grouped by topics Broad input on survey design Mail to registered voters & property owners Database of responses

Survey Details Targeted audience: 5,500 surveys distributed Property owners & registered voters 5,500 surveys distributed Tax records database Voter registration list 1,009 responses returned (18%) 337 full-time residents 672 part-time or non-residents Confidence Levels: 95% Confidence Interval: (+/- 3 %)

Public Survey Topics Community Attributes Growth & Development Community Facilities Shoreline Management/Beach Erosion Water Quality Open Space and Natural Areas Ocean Beach Access Soundside Access Offshore Fossil Fuel Exploration Traffic and Transportation Demographic information about respondents

Big Picture Results Vision is similar - no major changes Preserve community character Beaches / Beach access still important Bicycle / Pedestrian issues Vacation rental properties important Vision is similar – no major changes: We can say this because in the survey, the community attributes ranked most important included: Beaches, landscape, water quality, and single family homes…these are some of the attributes that we all attach to the current vision of Nags Head There was not strong support for any major change in the character of the Town (ie intense resort development, urbanization, etc) We will use these attributes highlighted in the survey as we consider revisions / refinements to the Town’s Vision Statement Preserve community character A variety of responses leads us to the conclusion that most respondents are concerned about recent development in Nags Head (pace, intensity, style, etc). (Q5) 75% of respondents said that Nags Head was either “somewhat intense” or “too intense” with development (Q6) – policies regarding regulation of private development: Although largest response group was “are about right” (38%), twice as many said “not restrictive enough (33%) compared to “are too restrictive” (16%) (Q7&8) – 75% say that large SF rental properties are still an issue & majority say they should be regulated differently than non-rentals Q9 – 50% say that SF size restrictions are not restrictive enough – 38% say “about right” Q10 – building height regulation is important: 72% strongly agree, 18% agree Q11 – 85% say preserve Historic Cottage Row Q12 – 661 respondents said coastal design elements should apply to all new buildings Beaches / Beach access still important Beautiful beaches highest rated element of “what’s important” (Q1) Beach nourishment most preferred management strategy for beach erosion (Q34) specific amenities at beach access cited more often than more access locations Bicycle / Pedestrian issues Bike / pedestrian issues were highlighted in various questions on the survey – (Q1) importance & performance, (Q15) improvements in Beach Road area; (Q34) need more bike racks at Ocean Beach accesses; (Q41) increase # & quality of facilities around the Town; (Q42) bike/ped facilities specifically along 158; (Q43) – pay for safe routes for students to access NHES Little support for fees / taxes to pay for increase services Most replies indicated no support to pay for services: (Q18) Parks & Rec facilities: 60% against – 25% for (Q22) – only beach nourishment greater than 50% - perhaps because of out of town owners (Q30) – improve water quality – support ranged from 30 to 35 percent (Q36) – ocean beach access areas: 30 percent for; 60 percent against (Q38) – soundside access / recreation: support around 40% (Q43) – transportation – only safe routes to school for NHES students > 60%; around town trails ~ 50% (Q45) – recycling – 27% for; 63% against Little support for fees / taxes to pay for increased services

Public Outreach Meetings OCTOBER 27, 2005: Public workshop to kickoff project / solicit issues JANUARY 19, 2006: Review of key issues / survey input June 2006: Review of survey findings / prioritize key concerns August 2006: Board presentation to adopt vision

Town of Nags Head 2005-2006 CAMA Land and Water Use Plan Board of Commissioners Public Survey Update June 7, 2006