By unanimous vote, the five members of the North Beach Town Council present at the panel’s Sept. 13 meeting decided to move forward with the purchase of four parcels of land that have been identified as necessary to address the municipality’s infrastructure, recreational and environmental needs. The town will use its bonding authority to complete the transactions. The bonds are valued at $2.5 million.

“Generations in North Beach will be in your debt,” said Mayor Mark Frazer after the council voted to approve an emergency ordinance to issue the bonds and pursue the transactions.

The priciest tracts are being purchased from Van Metre Homes of Northern Virginia. Nearly a decade ago, the developer had proposed an ambitious project of upscale townhomes near the waterfront. Last year that project was scaled back. During the town council’s September work session, Frazer announced Van Metre was anxious to cut their losses and abandon their North Beach plan. As part of the purchase plan, town officials have agreed to return $480,000 paid by Van Metre for water and sewer taps.

The town plans to buy a parcel on Chesapeake Avenue from RAR Associates for $394,000. Frazer said that tract has been identified as a location for parking. “We have a serious parking problem,” said the mayor, who later added a multi-story parking garage could be located at that site sometime in the future. “That will be up to a future administration and I’m sure there will be public hearings on it,” Frazer said.

The mayor noted RAR Properties is considering construction of a hotel and conference center on another piece of land it owns within the town. Ron Russo of RAR a development plan for that project would be presented to the town’s planning commission this month.

Frazer announced at the start of the meeting that the public would be allowed to weigh in on the acquisition plan prior to the council’s vote.

“Are our taxes going to go up?” Jean Rupard asked.

Frazer said the purchases would not mean a hike in property taxes.

Resident Peter Davis asked about the future use of the water and sewer taps the town was reclaiming. Town Councilman Randy Hummel told Davis there were still several undeveloped tracts in town, some that were zoned commercial that could be built out in the future. Hummel also pointed out that the resale value of the taps is likely to be higher than what Van Metre originally paid for them. Town Engineer John Hofmann noted that North Beach did not curre