Author Archive
07 Jan 2015
BRUNSWICK COUNTY AMENDS UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE
After months of discussion, the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners approved a number of changes to the Unified Development Ordinance. Adopted in 2007, the County’s UDO was amended to make a number of changes that will facilitate investment in the County. The changes are specifically aimed to encourage economic development, allow flexibility of design and
07 Jan 2015
BUILDING CODE CHANGES IMPACT SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE
The North Carolina Code making process is an ongoing process regardless of the adoption dates of the current NC Codes. The NC Building Code Council continually adopts changes to the Codes between code cycles that are not in the printed volumes of the various codes. As part of the Rulemaking process, the Council assigns effective
07 Jan 2015
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM UPDATE
Prior to the holidays, FEMA announced the launch of the Interim Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate, which was required by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. The Interim Office will begin work on specialized assistance to citizens and policyholders on NFIP issues; as well as regional mapping outreach and education support. You can read
07 Jan 2015
BASE PANEL UPDATES NORTH CAROLINA BEACH, INLET & WATERWAY ASSOCIATION ON WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES
Thank you to BASE members Matt Hanchey (Hunton & Williams) and Jim Spangler (Spangler Environmental) for serving on a panel with BASE staff at the North Carolina Beach Inlet and Waterway (NCBIWA) Annual Meeting at Wrightsville Beach. The panel gave an update on Waters of the United States to crowd of 200 from around coastal
07 Jan 2015
MCCRORY ATTENDS COASTAL RESOURCES MEETING IN WILMINGTON
In October, Governor McCrory became the first sitting Governor in recent memory to attend the Coastal Resources Commission meeting. He heard from a range of experts on a number of coastal issues including insurance, nourishment, dredging and the economic impact of the coast. The Commission has committed to giving the Governor a top issues list
07 Jan 2015
SKVARLA NAMED COMMERCE SECRETARY, VAN DER VAART TO LEAD DENR
Governor McCrory named Don van der Vaart the new Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. van der Vaart served as the deputy secretary of DENR. Previous DENR Sec. John Skvarla is now the Commerce Secretary replacing Sharon Decker who resigned back in December. For more information: http://www.wral.com/mccrory-names-new-head-for-environmental-agency/14304229/
07 Jan 2015
GENERAL ASSEMBLY KICKS OFF IN JANUARY
The 2015-2016 legislative session will begin January 14, 2015. When lawmakers return they will be electing a new Speaker of the House. President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R) will remain the leader of the Senate with Sen. Louis Pate (R) as Deputy Pro Tempore and Sen. Harry Brown (R) as Majority Leader. Republicans will maintain
07 Jan 2015
CONGRESS PASSES ONE YEAR EXTENSION ON MORTGAGE DEBT CANCELLATION
Before adjourning sine die in December, Congress finally took action on tax extensions. The “Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act” was included in the package approved by the U.S. House and Senate and was sent to the President’s desk for signature into law. As the session drew to a close, a last-gasp effort to extend the
07 Jan 2015
GOODWIN DENIES INSURERS REQUEST FOR HOMEOWNERS INCREASE
In December, Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin has ordered a zero percent statewide overall average change in homeowners insurance rates, effective June 1, 2015. The ordered rates vary by geographic territory and type of insurance. On average, homeowners insurance rates are to decrease by 0.3 percent, renter’s insurance rates are to increase by 11.2 percent, and
07 Jan 2015
BASE HIRES HEATHER JARMAN AS REGULATORY AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
Business Alliance for a Sound Economy (BASE), the Wilmington-based real estate, development and building lobbying group, is pleased to announce it has hired Heather Jarman as Regulatory Affairs Director. As Regulatory Affairs Director, Jarman will represent BASE and its members on local, coastal, state and federal government affairs issues. Prior to joining BASE, Jarman was