Wrightsville Beach News

01/13/2025

Wrightsville Beach Historic Preservation Committee voted 3-0 to delay Demolition of the c. 1917 Williams-Bordeaux beach cottage for 365 days. The cottage sits on the sound at 407 N. Lumina

The committee members expressed hope that this will enable a suitable site for relocation and funding for such to be identified.

Mr. Wheeless the cottage owner (WuWu LLC) stated they currently have a tenant in the cottage on a one year lease. He also indicated they have the intention to build on that lot a house similar in style to their home at 501 N. Lumina, which sits just north across the W. Augusta street end (public access). He characterized the public access as beautiful and visited by many neighbors. He said they have no interest in trying close access.

Tony Wilson TOWB Director of Planning stated that the Town's Historic Square is full with the current four historic homes that were relocated over the past years.

The Commission requested the Town evaluate what adjustments might be possible with the land use adjacent to the Historic Square. Currently that space is designated for contractor parking some equipment storage and debris and materials storage.

The challenge ahead for the cottage's future is to find a location, a champion or organization to drive the project and of course funding.

Suggestions should be directed to Tony Wilson [email protected]

WBN

01/13/2025

Top TOWB PD and FD positions appointed. Congratulations gentlemen.

01/12/2025

We are reposting this with the hope that Friends of Wrightsville Beach will accept it for the significant additional information it provides. Thank you.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GxF2AQZaU/

01/11/2025

More specific information concerning the Demolition Application for Historic WB Beach Cottage. The hearing with the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC), for this application filed by the owner WUWU LLC, is scheduled for Monday Jan. 13th at 4 pm in Town Hall Chambers. Below you can see the list of possible decisions that may be taken by the HPC.

The possible decision to delay demolition would create a timeframe for someone or organization to organize a plan and funding for relocation of the building.

Currently in the "Historic District" at WB stand 4 similar beach cottages (WB Historic Museum, WB Chamber of Commerce/ Welcome Center, NC Flotilla, NC Coastal Federation).

The option to accommodate an additional building in the Historic District is yet to be determined. This question should be raised at the hearing.

To the comments raised that the Board of Aldermen should stop this, would be to interfere in the defined legal process and property owners rights. We will report of progress on this matter. WBN

01/11/2025

WBN supports this fantastic Charity. They provide meals to those in need through the generosity of food and dollar contributions as well as the caring help of volunteers to cook and deliver meals from our community to our community.
The Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church has graciously opened the doors to their fantastic kitchen. Please consider providing support to 86 Hunger Now. Thank you. WBN

01/10/2025

01/10/2025

"Demolish!"

The Historic Landmark Commission will meet on Monday, January 13th at 4:00 p.m. in Town Hall Council Chambers to consider a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to demolish the Williams-Bordeaux Cottage located at 407 N. Lumina Avenue.

01/10/2025

Update from Tonight's (1/9/2025) TOWB BOA meeting.

The Board Voted as follows on matters regarding the 2025 Parking.

5-0 approving:To remove 5 to 7 parking spaces that are considered a safety concern (i. e. Proximity to intersections)

5-0 approving: To delay the (until potentially 2026 Season) use of fixed cameras for parking enforcement. The Staff recommendation is to gain a full season's experience with the Licence Plate Recognition Camera that was implemented late last season.

5-0 approving: To increase the parking citation appeal time from 3 days to 5 days.

5-0 not approving: To change locations of 11 parking spaces designated for Lifeguard parking. Those spaces will be made available for public parking after the "Lifeguard/ Beach Season ends after Labor Day".

3-2 Approving: To set Daily Parking Pass rate to $35 that reflects parity with other local beach towns. (Approved: Mills, Miller, Dull)

Other Agenda Items:
5-0 Approving purchase of 2 radar/data/ speed signs

5-0 Approving purchase, installation and service of security camera improvements.

Board and Committee positions for Planning, Parks & Rec, Historic Landmark and Board of Adjustment we also appointed/ reappointed. These will be updated on the Town website (TOWB.org)

Two People made public comments.

Ian Baulding representing a number of local commercial boat captains (i.e. fishing& tours)related his ongoing discussions with State Senator Michael Lee regarding several expansion ideas at the WB Boat Ramp. The main idea is not additional ramp nor parking but additional floating dockage to the north that can help that ramp utilization be faster. He was seeking a statement of support from our BOA and indicated that Senator Lee has been supportive but the town's position is important. Mayor Mills states the Board would take up the matter.

Neal Briggi a regular attendee at Town meetings and member of the Planning Board provided feedback to the Board and new Town Manager about the TOWB FY 25/26 Budget Workshop conducted 2 days prior.

He referenced the previous years budgeting process as a much improved benchmark.[the FY24/25 Budget process was actually conducted post departure of the previous Town Mgr. Tim Owens, by the interim Town Mgr. Tony Wilson]. Briggi characterized the recent workshop as "very constructive and collaborative", he acknowledged that Haynes Brigman in his "first hundred days, had demonstrated a grasp of the key issues, the prioritization, sense of timeline and understanding of the complexity". He completed his praise with the statement, "this is a breath of fresh air".

Among specific items he requested to be implemented before the summer season were:

Bike racks throughout the Central Business District and at Beach Access Parking Lots.

High visibility crosswalks at Columbia, Charlotte and Fayetteville Streets and upgrade at Stone Street.

Finally, referencing the many examples of volunteerism across our community for important causes (Flotilla, Gardens, WB Foundation, Support of Parks & Rec, Disaster Relief & Support to People in Need Networks) he challenge the Town Manager to "lead change in your departments to identify and implement volunteer opportunities. Opportunities of residents working with Town Staff that will create understanding, appreciation, productive results and build a collaboration that is a community culture and an asset."

WBN

01/09/2025

January 9th National Law Enforcement Day..Thank you for your service.
(Should be every day)

01/07/2025

Congratulations.

01/06/2025

The regular Monthly WB Board of Aldermen Meeting will be held on Jan 9 at 5:30 in Town Hall Chambers. Of note will be appointment of Citizens to standing Committees and Boards. There is also a proposal to approve significant upgrade of security cameras, license plate recognition cameras and speed/radar, traffic data collection system.

This link will take you to the full meeting packet https://wrightsvillebeachnc.portal.civicclerk.com/

01/05/2025

The regular WB Planning Board Monthly Meeting Tuesday Jan 7 at 5:30 in Town Hall Chambers.

01/05/2025

The Board of Aldermen will conduct a special called meeting on January 7, 2025 at 9:00am in the Town Hall Conference Room, 321 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC for the purpose of conducting a budget work session.

This is a public meeting, but generally does not include open public comment on the agenda.. Comments can be provided directly to Elected Officials and Town Administration by email or arranging a direct conversation. (https://www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/176/Board-of-Aldermen)

This meeting is the kickoff of the TOWB FY 2025/26 Budget Process and we expect significant strategic issues to be discussed that will frame key assumptions in building the budget.

This will be Town Manager Haynes Brigman's opportunity to share his observations and conclusions following his first hundred days onboard, leading the TOWB Administration. (https://www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/159/Town-Manager)

Find out who is a member on the Board for Town of Wrightsville Beach, what agendas are planned and what happened at the meetings.

01/03/2025

We at WBN have a passion for 86 Hunger Now.
We have been shoulder to shoulder with this fantastic evolving group of volunteers.
Give a Saturday morning cooking or a Saturday afternoon delivering meals or a bag of groceries or a $ donation...many ways to make a difference. Easy Peasy.

01/03/2025

Some clarity regarding the NCDOT Banks Channel Bridge replacements in Wrightsville Beach over the next several years. (Article published by Wrightsville Beach Magazine)

The Town has formed a Citizen Committee to identify and get ahead of issues that may arise from significant traffic pattern changes and disruptions over an extended period of time. Minutes of the committee meetings are accessible on the Town Website (TOWB.Org)

https://wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com/life-span/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHlQwVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHecFAkhu0xilz2xSByY2mFhqqTPBVUcpLYrSqI0qsP2gfhLkEKdBwru8ow_aem_izz_AVh5

12/24/2024

An enduring Christmas Message from a wisdomatic Old Salt in our community, Phil Mancuso. (Thanks Phil)

12/24/2024

Merry Christmas