Leland planning board backs ordinance changes regarding flood zone development

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — The Leland planning board has unanimously approved changes to the town’s ordinances regarding developments in flood zones.

The town began looking at possible changes to its ordinances back in November, two months after several areas in town were affected by flooding from Potential Tropical Cyclone 8.

Currently, developers are allowed to build in areas that are considered flood zones, like the neighborhood of Stoney Creek.

More than a dozen homes were flooded during both PTC 8 and Hurricane Florence.

Town councilman Bill McHugh explained some of the changes.

“It limits the density in areas that are considered flood zones,” McHugh said. “It increases the freeboard requirement, requiring the houses be 4 feet off the ground, rather than 2 feet as it was previously. It also includes the 500 year flood zone in addition to the 100 year.”

McHugh said the council will vote on the ordinance changes during it’s meeting on July 17th.