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Oak Island council considers removing special setback rule for detached garages; motion recorded
Summary
Council heard planning staff explain a text amendment removing a specific rear-setback requirement that treated detached garages/carports like principal structures; a motion to approve was made during the meeting (tally not specified in the transcript).
The Oak Island Town Council heard a planning staff presentation July 14 on a proposed text amendment to section 2.12 of the town's Unified Development Ordinance that would remove a special setback rule applying to detached garages and carports.
Taylor, a town planning staff member, told the council the current provision requires detached garages and carports to meet the same setbacks as principal structures, creating a stricter rear setback (8 feet) than the standard 20-foot rear setback applied to most accessory structures in residential zones. Taylor said the rule has not been uniformly enforced and can be circumvented by relabeling structures as storage buildings or sheds. "This change... doesn't change anything about the front setback in an accessory structure," Taylor said, adding the amendment would reduce confusion for permit applicants.
The planning board recommended approval of the amendment at its April 28 meeting, and staff said the change was found consistent with the town's 2025 comprehensive plan update objective to improve ordinance clarity. Councilmember (speaker 10) moved to approve the amendment; a second was recorded and the council proceeded without a roll-call tally recorded in the transcript.
The transcript shows council members asked clarifying questions about whether the change eliminates setbacks (it does not) and whether the amendment would align the rules for detached garages and carports with other accessory structures. Staff reiterated the amendment is intended to remove an inconsistent, rarely enforced provision so review and permitting reflect current practice.
The council closed the public hearing on the item that night; the transcript does not include a recorded yes/no/abstain roll call for this specific motion. The amendment, staff said, would make permitting simpler for builders and property owners by eliminating an out-of-date restriction.
