Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2007

Ocean Isle Beach bans cabanas

Ocean Isle Beach commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday morning to ban cabanas from its seven-mile beach. The new ordinance also requires the removal of any unattended items from the beach by 7 p.m. The ban is the culmination of at least three years' consideration over what to do about cabanas and similar shade structures that have mushroomed in use. Commissioners considered grouping cabanas with other personal items in the overnight ban. But difficulties enforcing an overnight ban plus a number of complaints from town residents and property owners overrode emails from tourists who said they like being able to use cabanas.