Author Archive

CRC Approves new Oceanfront Construction Rules

CRC approves new static vegetation line & setback criteria for beaches: After months of debate the Coastal Resources Commission finally approved two measures that will now allow new structures on nourished beaches to be built closer to the ocean, as well as adopted new graduated setback criteria for residential and commercial structures. Your BASE Governmental

BMP Design Stormwater Workshop

Advanced Stormwater BMP Design Workshop: Ask the Researcher Jane S. McKimmon Center, Raleigh, NC Field research has been conducted on several stormwater practices used throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. This workshop targets professionals who are actively engaged in either the review or design of the following innovative stormwater practices: bioretention, stormwater wetlands, permeable pavement, level

NCHBA keeps its eyes on Legislative Study Committees

The General Assembly may have adjourned its 2008 session on July 18, but that doesn’t mean its work stops. A myriad of study commissions and committees have been meeting since the end of session to take up studies authorized by this year’s “studies” bill (SL2008-131), and many of those are of interest to NCHBA.  For

City Wilmington Updates Site Plan Form

CITY OF WILMINGTON UPDATED SITE PLAN ACCEPTANCE FORM The City of Wilmington Development Services Department has recently updated their Site Plan Acceptance Form  to include the requirement for a tree inventory/survey to be submitted as part of the site plan acceptance procedure. This has always been a requirement of the Site Inventory section of the

EMC Stormwater Discussion

The Environmental Management Commission will meet next week in Raleigh.  One of the items on their agenda includes a discussion of SB 1967 (Improve Coastal Stormwater Bill) and SB 845 (Environmental Technical Corrections Bill) The agenda includes a comparison chart created by DWQ which is attached below. CSR comparison chart (EMC mtg 9-08)

NHC Tree Changes

NEW HANOVER COUNTY PLANNING BOARD PASSES AMENDMENTS TO TREE PROVISIONS At the August meeting of the New Hanover County Planning Board, County Planning staff presented a proposal that would amend the County’s tree protection ordinance by giving more “teeth” to enforcement mechanisms. Based on issues identified by BASE and concerns expressed by the Planning Board,

Conceptual Inlet Hazard Zone Rules

The Division of Coastal Management took tentative steps toward new development rules around inlets by unveiling its preliminary conceptual rules in July.  The proposed rules, which are purported as a much needed overhaul, includes expanding the Inlet-Hazard areas (IHA), and limiting the size of structures and boosting setback requirements in the newly refined IHA areas. 

Emerging Sewer Issues in NHC

This morning, at the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority’s monthly meeting, the Authority Board heard an update from CFPUA staff regarding several emerging sewer capacity issues in the County. In January, the state of North Carolina revised its forms and evaluation methods for issuing additional capacity for wastewater systems. Specifically, the state established a revised

2008 Environmental Corrections Bill Signed

Governor Mike Easley signed into law SB 845 (S.L. 2008 – 198) Amend Environmental Laws / Environmental Technical Corrections Act over the weekend. With the passage of this law it further clarifies the role that the Environmental Management Commission as well as the Environmental Rules Review Commission can play in adopting further stormwater related rules

Governor Signs Stormwater Bill

This Saturday, August 9th, Governor Easley signed this legislation into law along with 15 other bills. This Rule will now go into effect on October 1st. In order to help you to understand how this Rule affects your ability to buy, sell, develop and build on land in the 20 coastal counties, BASE has scheduled