06 Jul 2010
Flood Insurance Extended through Sept.
Last week, President Obama signed into law H.R. 5569 (National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010), will extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through Sept. 30. The program has been suspended from issuing new policies since May 31 forcing many homebuyers to delay or cancel closings due to the inability to obtain NFIP
06 Jul 2010
Leland Fee Increases Postponed
The Business Alliance for a Sound Economy (BASE) has successfully worked to delay the town of Leland’s Developmental Services Planning and Zoning fee increases for six months. The Leland Town Council voted four to one to postpone the increases until January 1, 2011 saying that with the current economic conditions, now is just not the
06 Jul 2010
Pender County Approves First UDO
On June 21st as part of an extensive planning process the Pender County Commissioners passed its first Unified Development Ordinance. BASE worked with Pender County’s planning staff for almost a year and half to bring forward an ordinance that is more in line with real world applications for both residential and commercial development. As adopted,
23 Jun 2010
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Getting an Update
As part of the five year review of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP), the CHPP Steering Committee has met over the past several months to update and revise the CHPP. These revisions reflect changes in the CHPP recommendations as the result of accomplishments, new information based on scientific studies as well as additional emphasis
23 Jun 2010
NHC Looks to Change Defintion of Marina
At the request of a private citizen, the New Hanover County Planning Board considered (and ultimately voted to reject) a proposal that would have set in motion an amendment to the County’s CAMA Land Use Plan regarding the definition of “marina.” BASE spoke in opposition to the request which the Planning Board denied. The complicating
23 Jun 2010
Pender County Approves Mandatory Utilities Connection
Because of the increase in capital projects and the amount of debt that the county is currently taking on the Pender County Commissioners decided that it was in their best interest to approve a mandatory connection amendment. On Monday the Pender County Commissioners did just that by approving a text amendment that would require all
01 Jun 2010
NAHB Responds to AD&C Financing Issues
New Legislation Addresses Housing Production Credit Crisis NAHB’s work with members of Congress to address the housing production credit crisis has led to the introduction of new legislation that would alleviate the severe lack of credit for acquisition, development and construction financing. Introduced by Reps. Brad Miller (D-NC) and original cosponsors Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and
19 May 2010
CRC looks at Inlet Hazard Areas Again
The Division of Coastal Management staff will present the final report entitled “Inlet Hazard Area Boundaries Update: Recommendations to the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission” today at the Coastal Resources Commission meeting in Beaufort. This final report, which thus far has met the muster of both the DCM and the Science Panel, contains boundary revisions
12 May 2010
Hazard Mitigation Credits on the Horizon?
After years of discussion, it appears that coastal homeowners who take voluntary, proactive steps to protect their homes from wind and storm damage may see mitigation credits applied toward their homeowners insurance policies. In May, the Department of Insurance released information regarding a pending mitigation credit program which was a result of last year’s coastal
10 May 2010
Home Star Bill Passes U.S. House
Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (H.R. 5019) passed the U.S. House by a margin of 246-161 late last week. While the vote was primarily along party lines, 12 Republicans voted for the bill and 7 Democrats voted against it. North Carolina’s delegation voted along party lines with no defections from either party. H.R.