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Burke County approves MOU to finance sewer lift station for 140-unit Valdis Bluff project; public hearing set for May 18, 2026
Summary
The county approved a memorandum of understanding with the town of Valdis to use state housing inducement funds to share an estimated $800,000 lift‑station cost, enabling the Valdis Bluff 140-unit development; the developer must meet a three‑year delivery schedule for initial homes or face per-unit penalties.
The Burke County Board of Commissioners on April 20 approved terms and a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Valdis to use state housing inducement funds to construct a sewer force main and lift station that will enable the Valdis Bluff residential development.
County staff described Valdis Bluff as a 140-unit single-family residential project proposed by developer Natural Land Alliance (owner named in the record as Larry Brag) adjacent to Drone High School. At an average projected home value near $350,000, staff estimated a long-term taxable base of about $49 million once the project is complete.
The immediate funding gap is the pump station and associated force main needed because of topography and the absence of existing sewer infrastructure. The county intends to provide a grant to the town from state housing inducement funds; the town and county would split an estimated $800,000 phase‑two cost (the county’s portion would be from a state grant), not local general‑fund dollars, according to staff.
The development agreement requires the developer to complete on‑site infrastructure and vertical construction and to deliver the first 27 homes within three years. The agreement includes enforcement mechanisms: a deed of trust on the undeveloped portion of the property, per‑unit liquidated damages of $14,440 for undelivered units that miss schedule, and legal remedies for default. Staff noted amendments would require mutual consent and a public hearing for major changes.
County Manager (Mr. Brown) framed the agreement as a tool to induce housing supply in support of the county’s housing study and workforce needs, and asked the board to approve the terms and to schedule the statutorily required public hearing under 160D. The board approved the terms and directed that a public hearing be scheduled for May 18, 2026.
Why this matters: The inducement is intended to reduce infrastructure barriers that prevent development in areas with housing demand and to spur market‑rate housing supply. The agreement relies on state grant funds rather than county tax dollars for the pump station and includes clawbacks and penalties designed to protect the county’s interests if the developer fails to perform.
Next steps: The board scheduled a public hearing for May 18, 2026 to satisfy 160D procedural requirements; final approvals would follow the public hearing and required municipal and county reviews.
