Proposed bill in NC House that could negatively affect county planning boards is getting pushback

CAPE FEAR, NC (WWAY) — A bill introduced months ago in the state House is stalled after getting pushback from some municipalities, including Wilmington City Council.

House Bill 765 would remove a county planning board’s ability to approve subdivisions and mapping.

The bill could also take away local governments’ ability to require developers to install sidewalks or improve existing sidewalks in certain cases.

Brunswick County Planning Board chair Clifton Cheek said by cutting into local governments’ rights on zoning decisions, the bill could lead to requirements for developments that might not be needed for coastal communities.

“What would work in Brunswick County is not necessarily what would work in a suburb of Raleigh or Charlotte and vice versa,” Cheek said. “You know, what works there is not necessarily going to be what we’re necessarily looking for in Brunswick County.”

Wilmington City Council unanimously passed a resolution in mid-April opposing the bill.

Wilmington resident Beth Riegler believes developers already have too much control, and this bill would help them even more.

“There’s too much power given to these developers in the city and it seems to be all financially based and they can wrap it up as a pretty present, saying that it’s because we need housing, affordable housing, all the terms they put and that’s not what is actually happening,” Riegler said.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Finance back in may and has not moved since.