Low-impact development, association's goals presented at Realtors' annual luncheon

SUPPLY—Low-impact development and other issues facing Realtors were discussed Tuesday at the Brunswick County Association of Realtors’ annual impact luncheon at the association’s new digs on Stone Chimney Road.

Steve Candler, the association’s governmental affairs director, presented to association members and elected officials the group’s goals and issues for the upcoming legislative term.

Issues concerning Realtors included work force housing, which Candler said the group is actively pursuing along with the county; government spending to ensure property tax revenue is being spent responsibly; and property owners’ rights with new stormwater regulations and Coastal Resource Commission’s setbacks.

Candler also presented a list of goals for 2008 for the Association of Realtors.

The first goal is to create an issue mobilization fund to combat legislation opposed by Realtors. Citing last November’s defeat of the land transfer tax, Candler said the funds would be used to help deter legislation that negatively impact individual property owners’ rights.

Candler said the association should advocate for changes in N.C. Department of Transportation, starting with the state legislature ceasing to pull from the highway trust fund to balance the state’s general fund. Unnecessary spending at the department of transportation must be curbed, he said, noting NCDOT hires many consultants when the work could be done with the department of transportation’s staff.

Candler also charged Realtors with increasing the group’s representation on state and local government boards to support candidates with “like-minded property rights.”

Realtors, Candler said, would be model board members for many local boards because of their knowledge of county history and various land-use regulations.

Another goal for Realtors, he said, was to improve local ordinances, citing Leland and Brunswick County as having developed unified development ordinances.

Low-impact development

Lauren Kolodij, with the N.C. Coastal Federation, gave a presentation on the benefits—environmentally and economically—of low-impact development.

Kolodij said low-impact development is a cost-effective way to treat stormwater runoff that is “a win-win for everyone.”

Low-impact development is a mechanism for treating stormwater runoff that mimics that natural hydrology of the land, she said. Unlike convention development, low-impact development keeps stormwater on site, treating it before it becomes polluted.

In addition to mitigating environmental concerns, Kolodij said low-impact development reduces development costs and increases lot yield. A federal study found that low-impact development could save a developer between 15 and 80 percent of the development cost versus traditional development.

Kolodij said the county was currently working on a draft ordinance to regulate low-impact development. For more information about low-impact development or on the N.C. Coastal Federation, visit the Web site www.nccoast.org.

Caroline Curran is a staff writer at the Beacon. Reach her at 754-6890 or at ccurran@brunswickbeacon.com