Author Archive
25 Apr 2014
New Rules For “Waters of the United States”
On Monday April 21, the US Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers formally proposed rules that would amend the definition of “waters of the United States.” The proposed changes will have a significant impact on land across the United States, but especially in Southeastern North Carolina. To see the proposed rules, http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0880 Among
23 Apr 2014
St. James Zoning Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendments
The St. James Town Council will conduct a public hearing on May 6, 2014, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to receive comments on the proposed UDO text amendments. After reading the list below, please contact BASE immediately if you have concerns on any of the proposed changes. The proposed
16 Apr 2014
UPDATE: OAK ISLAND MORATORIUM AND VACATION RENTAL REGULATIONS
On Wednesday, April 16, a Special Meeting of the Oak Island Town Council was held to discuss the following: • Public Hearing to receive citizens’ comments on proposed ordinance amendments to establish three classes of Vacation Rental as a use and all the associated restrictions and regulations, • Public Hearing to receive citizens’ comments on
15 Apr 2014
To Address Building Height, Swansboro Considers Conditional Zoning
From the Jacksonville Daily News: SWANSBORO — A new zoning tool could get the final approval of Swansboro commissioners during tonight’s meeting. Commissioners have been discussing the use of conditional zoning districts and will consider changes to the town’s Unified Development Ordinance that would put the new zoning into effect. Conditional zoning does not replace
11 Apr 2014
Want To Be Confused? Try To Explain Coastal Building Height
With the discussion about flood insurance and properly protecting houses from flood perils, talk inevitably turns to raising buildings. This certainly seems to be the logical method of 1) reducing flood risk and 2)enabling homeowner savings by reducing flood insurance premiums. HOWEVER, in some jurisdictions, these proactive efforts may be frustrated by legislatively mandated caps
11 Apr 2014
Sunset Beach: Capping Impervious at 30%?
The Sunset Beach Town Council will meet on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 for a scheduled Work Session. The Planning Board will be in attendance during the Work Session to discuss with Council their UDO Amendment recommendations that they presented to the Council during the April 7, 2014 Regular Meeting. The UDO recommendations from the Planning
07 Apr 2014
US Fish & Wildlife Service Reopens Comment Period on Red Knot, Hearing In Morehead City May 6
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reopened the comment period on its proposal to list the red knot as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service proposed to list the knot on September 30, 2013, following an analysis of the best available data in more than 1,400 scientific documents. The public can
04 Apr 2014
Oak Island Moratorium Update: Planning Board Acts On Vacation Rental Ordinance, Does Not Recommend Residential Cap
An update on the ongoing Oak Island moratorium on 6+ bedroom houses: In a meeting this past week which lasted nearly four hours, the Oak Island Planning Board met to consider a vacation rental ordinance and an ordinance which would cap residences at Oak Island at 5,000 square feet and 7 bedrooms. BASE spoke during
04 Apr 2014
FEMA Releases Congressional Advisory On The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act
Congressional Advisory Overview on the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 On March 21, 2014, President Obama signed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 into law. This law repeals and modifies certain provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, which was enacted in 2012, and makes additional program changes to other
02 Apr 2014
New Hanover County Unveils Economic Development Analysis
New Hanover County has received the final economic development target analysis report from Jay Garner titled Pathways to Prosperity: New Hanover County’s Plan for Jobs and Investment and it’s critical companion piece, the Competitive Realties Report. Both documents are available for download here Pathway to Prosperity – New Hanover County’s Plan for Jobs and Investment