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Board keeps geotechnical requirements in overlays and urges assistance for low-income residents
Summary
Planning staff retained geotechnical requirements for overlay districts and the board asked staff to recommend funding or technical assistance so low- and moderate-income residents can secure geotechnical reviews when placing temporary housing in landslide-prone areas.
During discussion, board members pressed staff on whether geotechnical reports should be required. Planning staff said geotechnical work is costly and county engineers and FEMA are addressing the issue, but staff stressed that overlay districts (steep-slope and protected-ridge overlays) would keep geotechnical and disturbed/impervious limits in place.
"Geotechnical engineering is a very large expense, and all our geotechnical engineers in the county are pretty overwhelmed at this point," Planning staff member Jillian said, noting staff had consulted Pender County and FEMA about best practices. Several board members said the county should help cover or provide technical assistance for geotechnical reviews; the board asked staff to prepare a recommendation to allocate funds or technical help for low- and moderate-income residents who need geotechnical assessments in landslide-prone or heavily damaged areas.
