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Southampton County planning commission flags FEMA flood maps, model floodplain ordinance and data-center questions as unfinished business
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Summary
Commissioners asked staff to insert updated FEMA flood maps into the comprehensive plan, to consider a model floodplain ordinance received from the Department of Conservation Recreation, and to gather information on data centers, battery storage and utility capacity; members also asked for an annual permits summary to track growth.
At its Nov. 30 meeting, the Southampton County Planning Commission reviewed several unfinished items the commission must address in coming months, including insertion of updated FEMA flood maps into the county comprehensive plan, consideration of a model floodplain ordinance, and information-gathering about potential data centers and battery storage projects.
Chair Drake reminded commissioners of a prior April 11, 2024 action that flagged the FEMA flood maps for inclusion in the comprehensive plan. "The new FEMA flood maps need to be inserted into the comprehensive plan," the chair said, and staff (Interim Director Reagan Prince) acknowledged he is tracking those maps and will present them to the commission for recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
Prince and other members said the commission also received a model floodplain ordinance from the Department of Conservation Recreation that will require local revisions before adoption. "That model ordinance we received . . . may need a couple of revisions to suit Southampton County's needs," a staff member said. The commission discussed timing and indicated the ordinance may appear on the December or January agenda.
Commissioners also debated information needs related to data centers and battery storage: where major transmission lines run in the county, whether local electric and water capacity would be affected, and potential impacts on residential electric rates. Members suggested inviting a Dominion (utility) spokesperson to explain transmission capacity or piggybacking on neighboring jurisdictions' field trips to see battery-storage facilities.
Finally, Chair Drake asked staff to prepare an annual (or five-year) snapshot of new residential, commercial and industrial permits so the commission can track growth trends to inform comprehensive-plan updates and infrastructure planning.
Next steps: Mr. Prince to schedule presentation(s) on FEMA flood maps and the draft floodplain ordinance and to pursue utility information or a utility spokesperson for a future meeting; staff to compile permit-count reports for future planning work.
