05 May 2014
HEADS UP – North Topsail Beach to Consider Moratorium on Houses with More Than 6 Bedrooms
On Wednesday, May 14 at 10 AM, North Topsail Beach Board of Aldermen will hold a public hearing regarding a proposed moratorium. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive citizens’ comments on a proposed moratorium for building any houses with more than six bedrooms. North Topsail Beach is headed in the footsteps of
29 Apr 2014
JUMPO Long Range Planning, Visioning Workshop May 13
The Jacksonville Urban Metropolitan Planning Organization (JUMPO) long range planning process is well underway and the next step is to hold a visioning workshop on May 13th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Jacksonville City Hall. The interactive workshop will include maps and exhibits, a short presentation, and a variety of activities designed to help
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