Author Archive

DENR Officially Announces Low Impact Development (LID) Program

NCDENR’s Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources (DEMLR) has formally noticed its new voluntary Low Impact Development (LID) program. The LID program is the product of a cooperative effort between engineering consultants, NC State University, the University of North Carolina, local governments, and the NC Coastal Federation. For the first time in North Carolina,

Oak Island Update: Moratorium Expiring, A Vacation Rental Ordinance…And A Proposed Cap On Residential Size

The Town of Oak Island established February’s moratorium “on development of homes with more than six bedrooms so as to provide sufficient time for the development of regulations.” With the expiration of the moratorium scheduled for April 21, the Town is quickly moving forward with several proposals. The Oak Island Planning Board will hold a

New Subdivision? You May Want To Ensure Your Residents Are Getting Mail

If you have a new subdivision, you may want to doublecheck that your residents are getting their mail. Recently, an issue emerged in Raleigh regarding the US Postal Service and an unannounced policy switch requiring cluster mailboxes in new subdivisions. Instead of enabling delivery to individual homes, USPS has decided that “centralized delivery” is a

Environmental Review Commission Unveils Potential Legislation

Since late 2013, working groups from the General Assembly’s Environmental Review Commission have been working diligently on a number of issues. Of note to the real estate and development community are studies on stormwater, local environmental ordinances, water/sewer providers and engineering work. At the March ERC meeting, the work groups made brief presentations on their

Jacksonville Holds Off Vote on UDO, Mass Rezoning

In 2007 the City of Jacksonville embarked on a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) project. The project is the first comprehensive update of the city’s zoning ordinance since its adoption in 1972. The UDO can be found here In conjunction with the UDO, land with a zoning district classification from the previous zoning ordinance will be

Oak Island Moratorium Leads to Vacation Rental Ordinance Proposal

In February, the Town of Oak Island hastily called for a special meeting and public hearing to “establish a moratorium on development of homes with more than six bedrooms so as to provide sufficient time for the development of regulations.” In spite of concerns raised by BASE, the Town moved forward with ordinance establishing a

Obama Signs Flood Insurance Reform Into Law

Understanding the major implications of skyrocketing flood insurance rates, BASE has been working over the past several months in conjunction with the National Association of Home Builders, the National Association of REALTORS, and the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance to push for sustainable reform. On Friday, March 21, President Obama signed Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability

Grand Strand Transportation Study Drafts Available–Includes Areas of Brunswick County

The Grand Strand Area Transportation Study (GSATS) has made drafts of the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) available for review and comment. In 2013, the GSATS study area was expanded to include a portion of southern Brunswick County in North Carolina. The GSATS’ LRTP is a twenty-five year plan that identifies and prioritizes transportation

President Signs Flood Insurance Bill…Then AP Does Story On Impacts

Flood insurance rate surge still looms over some communities A new law passed in March will roll back or delay massive rate hikes planned for the National Flood Insurance Program. Even with this relief, nearly 1.1 million policyholders with subsidized government insurance still face substantial rate increases as officials try to get the program on

New DENR Rules Review Website

The DENR Rules Review website has been developed to assist in implementing the requirements under G.S. 150B-21.3A (Periodic Review of Existing Rules).  As rules become available for public comment they will be available from the link below.  A form will be available with instructions on how the public may submit comments.  In addition, the public