13 May 2011
UPDATE: Declaratory Ruling is a Success!
As many of you have probably read in the May TOOLBOX BASE has been embroiled over the course of the last three months with the NCDEH in a situation surrounding setbacks required for septic systems and a “verbal opinion” that treated easements the same as property lines—requiring a 10 foot setback. BASE’s contention was the
04 May 2011
US HWY 17 / NC 210 Public Open House
The final public meeting on the US Hwy 17/NC 210 Public Open House will occur on Thursday, May 12, 2011, 4:30-7:30 pm. The open house will be in the Topsail High School cafeteria. Drop by at any time. Background: US 17 currently functions as a 5-lane undivided facility from Washington Acres to Sloop Point Road
20 Apr 2011
Brunswick County Modifies Impact Fees to a Consumption Based Model
On Monday night the Brunswick County Commissioners modified their current rate structure for water and sewer Capital Recovery and Transmission Capital Recovery fees from a flat rate based charge to more of a consumption based rate. The Current fee structure, which has been in place for quite some time, uses a flat rate model that
04 Apr 2011
BREAKING NEWS: Corps Setback Changes
In the summer of 2010, BASE began tracking an emerging issue regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and its policy regarding setbacks along federal channels, including the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW). In short, the Corps issued policy changes in 2009 which, after further review from BASE, appeared to impact every property and dock along the
18 Mar 2011
BASE Files a Declaratory Ruling – NCDEH
Unfortunately, one of members in New Hanover County has been embroiled in an issue over the past year with local Health Department staff—and subsequently DENR– which has cost this 16 lot project over a year in delays and a cost increase of $100,000. This issue has elevated to a discussion with DENR in Raleigh where
18 Mar 2011
Pender County 2011 Tax Revaluation Raising Concerns
We along with our Coalition members at the Topsail Island Association of REALTORS® have been receiving many inquiries with regard to the current tax revaluation and the associated appeals process. We have posed this question to the Pender County Tax Assessor, Anthony Masiero for a more complete response. Following is that response: The informal appeal
18 Mar 2011
Onslow working on Off-site Wastewater Changes
The Onslow County Planning Board has been discussing off-site septic systems and concerns with the continued use of these systems in subdivision design over the past several months. The Board will be holding a workshop meeting with developers and design professionals to share ideas for additional changes to the Subdivision Ordinance to address some of
17 Mar 2011
Brunswick County Looking at Changes to their Improvement Guarantee Requirements
In response to the recent issues surrounding Improvement Guarantees and infrastructure issues the Brunswick County Commissioners are looking to make changes to the County’s improvement guarantees language. At this point the County’s Planning Staff has presented some potential changes to the commissioners and now is meeting with interested parties and stakeholders. BASE is one of
17 Mar 2011
Air Quality Challenges in New Hanover County
You may have seen New Hanover County Commissioner Rick Catlin discussing potential “nonattainment” in New Hanover County. Here’s what that would mean to you: The Clean Air Act requires that EPA set national air quality standards for certain pollutants. One of those pollutants is Sulfur Dioxide (S02). In June 2010, EPA strengthened the primary national
17 Mar 2011
Wilmington Downtown Preservation/Teardowns
The City of Wilmington is undertaking an ongoing CBD preservation/teardown ordinance discussion. This item was initially presented at the February Planning Commission meeting. At that meeting in February, BASE suggested that the Planning Commission hold a work session to understand the proposal prior to taking action. That work session was held and illustrated a number