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

Thanks again to Rep. Mike McIntyre for all your support on real estate and coastal issues.

EMC Defines “Gravel”…For Now

During the recent legislative session, N.C.G.S. 143-214.7 was amended to exclude gravel from the definition of “built-upon area” (SL2013-413, section 51 ). BASE strongly supported this legislative change as it enabled “gravel” to the considered the same way as slatted decks and swimming pools when calculating built upon area.   As part of this bill, the Environmental

US Senate Passes Flood Insurance Reform, Issue Moves to President’s Desk

On the evening of Thursday March 13, the United States Senate voted 72-22 to approve the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (H.R. 3370). The Senate acted quickly to pass the bill as amended by the House to avoid the need for a conference committee to reconcile any differences. The new bill further reins in and

Jacksonville Unified Development Ordinance Nears Adoption

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. After many hours of preparation, review by City staff, the appointed UDO Steering Committee, the Planning Advisory Board and the Jacksonville City Council, the

FULL SLATE OF 2014 ELECTION CANDIDATES

The very important 2014 election season is in full swing. Candidate filing closed on Friday, February 28 and now we have the final list of candidates which will go before voters first at the May 6 primary and then at the general election on November 4. The 2014 election will elect candidates to a range

StarNews Editorial: Homeowners insurance rates just went up, and insurers seek another increase

The N.C. Rate Bureau wishes you a happy new year – by seeking another increase in homeowners insurance premiums. It’s been only six months since the last increase, an average of 7 percent, took effect. Now insurers want to raise the rates again. Although the rate increase averages 25.3 percent statewide, the requested rate changes