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Builders and residents press Boiling Spring Lakes on clearcutting, permitting delays and Fish & Wildlife rules
Summary
Multiple speakers at public comment urged more transparency on clearcutting along Highway 87, updates to the 2018 emergency plan, and relief from permitting constraints tied to US Fish and Wildlife listings; builders said permits have been unobtainable since May and urged streamlining UDO processes.
During the public comment period, residents and local builders raised recurring concerns about land clearing, permitting delays, and federal wildlife restrictions.
Leanne McLaughlin described the clearcutting of about 100 acres along Highway 87 and warned of habitat loss, increased erosion and stormwater runoff, and diminished ecosystem services; she called for transparent, public review of development proposals and asked the board to prioritize community trust and process.
Several builders and landowners — including Ashley Turner, Hank Troscianic and Kendall Fincher — described ongoing permitting problems they attribute to federal agency processes. Turner told the board the permitting process has been "dysfunctional, harming builders and potentially putting over 300 families out of work," and Fincher said, "it now seems easier to get a permit in Oak Island," describing local frustration. Troscianic criticized the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, saying the agency has been unresponsive and its definitions of "take" are causing delays for homeowners and developers.
Resident Shannon Van Deren also raised questions about the city's staffing decisions after the Development Services Director position was eliminated previously and asked how the UDO and permit compliance are currently being managed. Speakers urged staff and the board to pursue pragmatic fixes, including UDO updates and clearer communication with state and federal partners.
