‘Very disheartened;’ Two Brunswick County Planning Board members resign amid growth concerns

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WWAY) — The Brunswick County Planning Board is working to fill two vacant seats following the recent resignations of a board member and its vice chairman.

Board member Jim Board and Vice Chairman Jason Gaver stepped down weeks apart last month. Gaver resigned after moving out of the county, while Board cited ongoing frustration with what he described as the planning board’s limited authority to manage rapid growth.

The departures come as Brunswick County continues to experience significant development and population increases.

Board, who was appointed in 2024, said he took the role hoping to help guide responsible growth.

“That it was going to be a position where I could use common sense and look at how are we going to support all of this development?” Board said.

He said his concerns grew over time, particularly after the approval of the Cherry Tree tract, a proposed development of about 1,000 units. The planning board had previously voted against the project, citing concerns about flooding and traffic safety, but it was later approved in a 5-1 vote on March 9.

Board said he had previously submitted a resignation letter in August 2025.

“I wrote my letter of resignation the first time in August of 2025. I was very disheartened and very overwhelmed with frustration,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the county’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), which governs development standards including land use, water, lot size and density. Board said the ordinance, adopted in 2015, does not reflect current conditions or adequately address issues such as storm water management.

“The county’s UDO up until very recently only required the developers to have storm water capabilities to withstand a 25-year flood level… well in the last few years… we’ve had more than our share of events that are much bigger than that,” Board said.

He pointed to broader infrastructure challenges tied to growth, including limited access to grocery stores, health care and schools.

“There’s not enough grocery stores to service this many people, there’s not enough doctors and nurses and hospital facilities to service all these new people, there’s not enough schools to educate our children,” he said.

A county spokesperson said the planning board will continue operating as long as a quorum of four members is maintained. The remaining board members may vote to appoint a new vice chairman, and the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners is expected to appoint replacements for the vacant District 3 and District 4 seats at a future meeting.

Board’s term was set to expire in late June. He said he plans to focus on his role as mayor pro tem of the Town of St. James.

“Don’t give up the fight, don’t let politics get in the way of reasonableness and common sense in voting your heart,” Board said of his message to future board members.