THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 22, 1995 TAG: 9504220297
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
The Roanoke Island Commission approved a permit Friday to allow a Manteo microbrewery to remove some trees along the Roanoke Voyages Historic Corridor to expand its parking.
The commission gave the go-ahead to felling 18 trees and replanting seven at The Weeping Radish, a popular Manteo tourist attraction.
The approval came on an appeal of a denial of the plan by a committee that oversees changes by residents or businesses along the seven-mile corridor.
The Roanoke Voyages Corridor Committee earlier said the changes proposed by Weeping Radish partner Uli Bennewitz constituted ``clear-cutting'' in violation of commission regulations.
However, Edward O'Neal, an attorney for the microbrewery, argued that his client's plan would enhance the beauty of the corridor.
Before the vote, the commission recessed for 30 minutes and went to the business to see first-hand the proposed changes. After a brief discussion, the permit was approved.
In other action, the commission:
Approved the creation of an ad hoc committee to study the feasibility of a multiuse path on the north end of Roanoke Island to connect the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site to the North Carolina Aquarium.
Commission Chairman John Wilson IV was quick to point out that the committee was not an extension of the Roanoke Island Commission, nor part of the Roanoke Voyages Corridor.
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. urged a cautious approach.
``This is going to be a little touchy,'' Owens said. ``I do support the idea, but I'm hesitant to tie it with the commission.''
Approved the inclusion into the corridor of the proposed Midway to Gateway Bridge, which will connect Roanoke Island to the Dare County mainland.
Approved a provision to allow a five-year amortization for business owners as an incentive to remove signs along the corridor. The allowance would provide write-offs for owners of existing signs.
Endorsed the development of a strategy to provide for stricter enforcement of commission regulations, and to better inform the public on commission regulations.
The commission is also reviewing a script for a 20- to 45-minute film to be shown at the proposed Ice Plant Island project.
Written by author and screenwriter Carl Waldman, the script tells the history of Roanoke Island from a European and Native American perspective.
Waldman has authored several books and has written scripts for PBS and for the television series ``Miami Vice.'' by CNB