On October 3rd, 2011, New Hanover County Board of Commissioners approved updates to zoning ordinances requiring heavy and light industrial use projects to now go through a Special Use Permit procedure--a process that requires an initial review by the Planning Department, a public meeting, and final approval by the Board of Commissioners. These revisions were unanimously approved by the New Hanover County Planning Board on September 1st, 2011. The purpose for the Special Use Permit requirement is to assure that the benefits of the most heavily polluting industries outweigh the risks to our community.
Why does it matter to citizens in New Hanover County?
- Without a Special Use Permit, the citizens of New Hanover County have no control if a heavy polluting industry builds adjacent to their property, their child's schools, or public lands.
- The Special Use Permit process will help assess and protect our public health and our natural resources from potential contamination caused by heavy polluting industries.
- New Hanover County is the second smallest and the second most densely populated county in North Carolina (out of 100 counties). This means our homes, schools and current light and heavy businesses all share the same small space.
- New Hanover County was recently ranked as having the 2nd highest toxic air emissions in North Carolina. New Hanover County also has the highest total toxic emissions in the state (air, water and other releases). This means that our small, crowded community already bears an unfair toxic load from existing heavy polluting industries recruited over the past several decades.
- New Hanover County has changed dramatically in the past several decades, more than doubling in population. This trend is likely to continue, with increased needs for homes, schools and community resources. A Special Use Permit process will assure a public review of impacts from any future heavy polluting industries that want to operate in our county.
How do I learn more about the issue?
Click on
this link to take you to the New Hanover County Planning website. You can read through the Special Use Permit language and find more information. You can also call Nicole Dreibelbis in the Planning Department at 910-751-7571.
Who makes the final decision to grant a Special Use Permit?
After receiving recommendations from the Planning Board and after a public hearing, the Board of County Commissioners may grant or deny the Special Use Permit request. The Special use Permit, if granted will include such approved plans as may be required.The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners will make the final decision to grant a Special Use Permit. The current Board of Commissioners are listed below:
| Name | Email | Phone | Mail |
|---|
| NH County Commissioner Chairman Ted Davis, Jr | tdavis@nhcgov.com | (910) 763-6249 | Chairman Ted Davis, Jr
230 Government Center, Suite 175
Wilmington, NC 28403 |
NH County Commissioner Vice-Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr
| jbarfield@nhcgov.com | (910) 233-8780 | Vice-Chair Jonathan Barfield, Jr
230 Government Center, Suite 175
Wilmington, NC 28403 |
NH County Commissioner Jason Thompson
| jthompson@nhcgov.com | (910) 798-7260 | NH Commissioner Jason Thompson
230 Government Center, Suite 175
Wilmington, NC 28403 |
| NH County Commissioner Brian Berger | bberger@nhcgov.com | (910) 431-3115 | NH Commissioner Brian Berger
230 Government Center, Suite 175
Wilmington, NC 28403 |
| NH County Commissioner Rick Catlin | rcatlin@nhcgov.com | (910) 547-2724 | NH County Commissioner Rick Catlin
230 Government Center, Suite 175
Wilmington, NC 28403 |
What is assessed during the Special Use Permit process?
According to the New Hanover County Planning website, the Zoning Ordinance imposes the following General Requirements on the use requested by the applicant. Under each requirement, the applicant should explain, with reference to attached plans, where applicable, how the proposed use satisfies these requirements:
General Requirement #1 The Board must find “that the use will not materially endanger the public health or safety if located where proposed and developed according to the plan as submitted and approved.”
General Requirement #2 The Board must find “that the use meets all required conditions and specifications” of the Zoning Ordinance”.
General Requirement #3 The Board must find “that the use will not substantially injure the value of adjoining or abutting property or that the use is a public necessity.”
General Requirement #4 The Board must find “that the location and character of the use if developed according to the plan as submitted and approved will be in harmony with the area in which it is to be located and in general conformity with the plan of development for New Hanover County.”
What can the public do to participate in the Special Use Permit process?
Information about public meetings will be posted on the Planning Department/New Hanover Board of Commissioner's websites. Once a public meeting has been set, it is vital that community members speak and attend so that all concerns and information can be assessed when the Board makes their determination.
What can I do now?
Ask all political candidates running for the 2012 New Hanover County Board of Commissioners race where they stand on important issues that you care about, especially in regards to how they will use the new Special Use Permit process to assess heavy polluting impacts that want to build and operate in our community. For a list of candidates that are running for the Board of Commissioner race, go
here.
