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Thursday, 17 March 2011 13:32 |
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As you may recall, BASE worked for a number of months on vesting issues regarding commercial buildings which were permitted under the old New Hanover County water and sewer fee structure and were finishing their upfits under the new CFPUA fees. These buildings were permitted prior to July 1, 2008 when CFPUA became "live" and spanned the old and new methods of impact fee calculation. At issue was the situation where a building owner or developer was caught in the middle of the two ways to calculate fees and was being forced to pay the new CFPUA structure based on water meter size.
In late 2010, at the request of BASE, the CFPUA board voted unanimously to amend its policy and enable vesting for those projects caught in between. In February 2011, the CFPUA Board further amended its policy to expand the provisions and more fully encompass apartment and multifamily projects that may be caught. Specifically, for projects that were permitted prior to July 1, 2008, the owner can elect to use the old impact fee calculation method based on use OR the new CFPUA method based on water meter size. The choice is binding, but credit will be given should the meter have to be switched out at a later date for a larger size. All in all, it is an equitable solution to a complex issue and should positively impact commercial building owners pursuing upfits and tenants.
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Thursday, 17 March 2011 13:04 |
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As the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority has embarked on its Capital Improvement Program planning process, significant discussion has occurred on the importance of maintenance projects versus the importance of growth projects. One of the primary growth hurdles locally is the capacity available at the large number of area pump stations. One of the primary time and cost impacts locally is upgrading pump stations before development can be accommodated and new rate payers can be added to the system.
In extensive review of the issue, BASE uncovered a "paper vs. actual flow" issue which was complicating the process and requiring upgrade of stations that may or may not be over capacity. Two specific items were causing complications in this process and increasing costs for local utilities like CFPUA or the first developer which tried to move ahead with a project in a sewershed where the facilities were nearing capacity.
BASE has identified some of the 2T rules regarding pump station calculations, and guidance published by DWQ ostensibly to implement the 2T rules, as unnecessary impediments to orderly growth and economic progress in the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County.
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Thursday, 10 March 2011 08:58 |
From New Hanover County Planning:
The New Hanover County Zoning Ordinance was adopted in 1969. Since that time, the County has experienced a tremendous influx of residents and grown immensely. While several changes have been made to the County’s Zoning Ordinance to incorporate new concepts in growth and development, the Ordinance has not been reviewed as a comprehensive effort since its creation. After more than 40 years, County staff has embarked on a Zoning Ordinance Improvement Effort in order to revisit the Ordinance and propose changes to create a document that more accurately reflects our community vision and addresses changing needs. Staff’s goal for this initiative is that it will assure that the Ordinance reflects the ideas of our citizens and policy makers while accommodating the latest development trends. When we are finished, we envision that the new Ordinance will be easier to use with simplified processes that address the needs of the community while preserving our fragile resources. Throughout the Zoning Ordinance Improvement Effort, community involvement will be vital to its success. It is our hope that you will provide feedback throughout this process, particularly on issues that are relevant to you.
At this time, County staff is proposing to make changes to the Industrial Zoning Districts, Section 56-57. Currently, areas of New Hanover County are designated specifically for industrial uses. Planning staff realize the importance of these districts in order to preserve land for industrial uses within the County. The industrial districts are zoned either I-1 Light Industrial (Section 56), or I-2 Heavy Industrial (Section 57). Staff has reviewed the current language in the Ordinance and is proposing new language to better define and locate industrial uses. In order to better define these areas, staff has proposed changes to the Table of Permitted Uses. While some industrial uses in the Table already require a Special Use Permit before that use may be established, staff is proposing changes to the table to require that additional uses be submitted to this level of review. In addition, staff is also proposing language to ensure that standards are in place to protect citizens and the environment from externalities that result from heavy industry.
County staff is requesting that you review the draft language (BELOW) and provide input. Your input is very important and will be valuable as they finalize the language that will be proposed for a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. It is County staff's goal to propose an Industrial Text Amendment at the April 7, 2011 Planning Board Meeting, so they are asking that you review and provide feedback no later than Monday, March 21. Please send all input and comments to Jane Daughtridge at
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.
County staff would also like to hold a meeting to share responses and further discuss ideas on Tuesday, March 15 at 10:00 at the New Hanover County Government Center. If you would like to attend this meeting and are able to accommodate this time, please reply back to Jane Daughtridge at
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. Jane will provide details about the meeting location once we have an idea of the number of people that will be attending.
If you have questions or specific concerns, please contact BASE Governmental Affairs Director Tyler Newman at 799-2611.
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