Planning board backs initiation of flood ordinance updates; staff outlines 0% septic loan pilot for high-risk properties

Deputy Director Joe Costello told the planning board the proposed text amendments to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance are largely housekeeping to match the National Flood Insurance Program model ordinance and the town's 2024 Community Rating System audit. "One of the main things is clarifying that we always have 1 foot of free board, throughout town," Costello said, and he described work to standardize terms such as "the village" so the ordinance language and definitions align across the UDO.

Costello said the changes are intended to preserve or improve the town's CRS score, which can lower residents' flood-insurance premiums under NFIP: "The community rating system is a voluntary program... the higher class you are... that translates to lower premiums." The board voted to initiate consideration of the text amendments.

In related town updates, planning staff described a Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) offer of 0% loans aimed at "high-risk" septic properties. Staff defined the pilot's priority layer as properties adjacent to a water body (including ditches) that have not had septic maintenance in the last five years, do not already have advanced systems or recent loans, and sit at about 3 feet elevation or lower. Kelly Wyatt, who presented the update, summarized the town's existing outreach incentives: free septic inspections, a $250 rebate for pump-outs with invoices, and low-interest loans for repairs.

Board members discussed outreach methods (door hangers, vendor engagement at markets, targeted messaging), legal limits on obligating private contractors to report service activity, and county enforcement roles for failing systems. Staff said they will refine eligibility layers and work with Dare County Environmental Health for enforcement and permit tracking; no final loan approvals or funding disbursements were made at the meeting.