Former Southport ETJ residents have chance to be heard

Now that the mile extending from Southport’s incorporated limits is under Brunswick County’s jurisdiction, there are questions.

In June, the North Carolina General Assembly approved House Bill 911 that removed Southport’s extraterritorial planning jurisdiction, putting that land under Brunswick County’s control effective July 1.

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To help residents and property owners in the former Southport ETJ navigate the initial zoning process, county planning staff scheduled an open house for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at The Brunswick Center at Southport.

An ETJ is the land usually adjacent to a town’s incorporated limits and is regulated by the town’s zoning and planning rules.

Staff will give the same 30-minute presentation at 5:30 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. A recording of the presentation and materials will be available online after the open house. 

Also during the drop-in open house, residents will be able to offer their input and ideas concerning possible initial zoning for the area.

Planning staff will consider this input when drafting map amendments to the unified development ordinance that will go before the county planning board in August for consideration, the county said.  

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Brunswick County Communications Director Meagan Kascsak​​​​ told Coastal Review in an email last week that the county and city continue to work together to identify and transfer impacted projects to the county’s jurisdiction.

“The County and the City will share more information on any directions and next steps with residents and the development community once everything is finalized. Until otherwise directed, all approved projects or projects currently in the application phase within the Southport ETJ area should continue to contact the City of Southport concerning any planning or permitting needs,” she said.

Individuals can contact the county’s planning team at 910-253-2025 or email Jeff Walton at jeff.walton@brunswickcountync.gov.