Help! New development has outpaced our water and sewer capacity! There’s a high impact industry talking about locating in our community, and the land use is not addressed in our ordinance! What’s a community to do? Can we hit the … Read more
On Friday, UNC Chapel Hill announced that Aimee Wall will be the next dean of the UNC School of Government. Aimee is passionate for the School’s mission and committed to public service. She has been working with North Carolina public … Read more
Can a sign ordinance distinguish between on-premises and off-premises signs? The answer is yes according to U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising of Austin, LLC, 142 S. Ct. 1464 (2022). This blog outlines the … Read more
On the edge of town there’s a new residential development under construction. The neighborhood looks fairly conventional—there are houses and yards, streets and sidewalks. But there is a notable difference that you can’t see. The homes are not listed for … Read more
The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled in Schroeder v. City of Wilmington that state law prohibits a registration requirement for short-term rentals, but the court also ruled that state law allows for general zoning and development standards for short-term … Read more
“County zoning regulations may not affect property used for bona fide farm purposes.” That’s what North Carolina state law dictates about land use zoning regulations of agricultural operations in the county or the municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction (G.S. 160D-903). But that … Read more
Seemingly clear, objective development regulations may be the subject of debate and interpretation. Is that new business unlawful? Was the notice of violation correctly issued? Does the proposed development meet the applicable standards? Did the administrator correctly interpret the regulation? … Read more
As part of a broader decriminalization effort in North Carolina, most development regulations may no longer be enforced criminally. This blog outlines the new restrictions and limited exceptions.
They can’t park all of those cars in the front yard! That subdivision street is not being built to standard! That newly permitted storage facility has not installed the required fencing to ensure community safety! What’s the town to do? … Read more
So, you’re a new member of the planning board. Or maybe you have been on the board for a while and need a refresher on your role. First off, thank you for your service to the community and congratulations on … Read more