Coastal Hazard Zone maps are creating debate once again within the region
amongst property owners,the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC)
and the Division of Coastal Management (DCM).  Thus far the DCM staff
presented suggested amendments to the state’s inlet hazard area
boundaries, along with options for revising development rules
in these areas. 

It seems that many if not all of the proposed zones expanded
quite extensively, and with it the proposed development rules that follow. 
Currently in the IHZ rules no commercial or multi-family (4 units or greater)
greater than 5,000 sq. ft can be built, and there is no limit placed
on single family structures.  With the proposed rules no structures
greater than 10,000 sq. ft could be built.  There are some grandfathering
provisions as well for structures over 10,000 sq. ft. but only if those
structures can meet the current setbacks.    One interesting thing
about the presentation to note is that staff included an affected
property value for each inlet, and if you add all of them up, it comes
up to roughly a little more than $1.5 billion dollars.

At this point the DCM staff has been tasked by the CRC to go out and meet
with affected stakeholders in the beach communities. 

We are anticipating these stakeholder meetings to take place sometime in late Oct. into Nov.