Holden Beach Property Owners Association

HBPOA received many of the over 200 letters that the Commissioners received (links on the Hot Topic Parking Page).  We found these to be well thought out, well-written responses from the citizens and taxpayers to the Town government and Staff about what the community envisions for parking in the future.  HBPOA read the feedback and summarized the most common points.  The following was sent to the Parking Committee and the Commissioners.  If you have comments as always please contact us!  Our email is HBPOA@hotmail.com.

After the HBPOA notified property owners about the Town’s plans to build new public parking lots, over 200 letters and emails were submitted.  These comments provide a very comprehensive view of what property owners want and don’t want with regards to public parking.  After reviewing this feedback, here is our summary:

Overall:

1. Protect the unique character and beauty of the island (don’t ruin paradise to create parking).
2. Don’t overly burden property owners in an effort to accommodate day-visitors.
3. Recognize we won’t always be able to provide a sufficient number of parking spaces to meet future demand.

Specifically:

1. No new small “pocket” parking lots in residential neighborhoods next to or across from homes and spread out such that visitors have to drive all over the island looking for a spot.
2. No right-of-way parking in property owner yards or adjacent to residential property.
3. Any new public parking should be:
   –   Close to public beach accessways
   –   Close to permanent public restrooms (not porta-potties)
   –   On land zoned for commercial businesses who could benefit from the visitors (and vice versa)
   –   Centralized as much as possible to minimize traffic congestion and improve safety.
4. Public parking should pay for itself and not be a financial burden on the property owners:
   –   Paid parking should be implemented to help cover the cost of the additional services needed as the result of day-visitors (e.g., police, garbage collection, bathroom cleaning, etc.)
   –   Any land purchased for new parking lots should be cost neutral (i.e., the parking revenues should pay for the purchase cost within a reasonable period of time).
5. Start planning now for what we will do when the public parking spaces on the island are all full:
   –   Determine how many spaces we plan to have on the island for public parking (i.e., what is our total capacity goal)
   –   Determine how we will know when all these spaces are full so we can notify day-visitors before they come on the island that there is no place for them to park
   –   Engage the County regarding off-island parking/shuttle service solutions, since it is predominantly County residents who are the day-visitors coming to the island.
    

The HBPOA, as a representative of the property owners, will support plans that achieve these objectives.

The Town Commissioners removed the proposed parking lots (agenda item #22) from their February 16th meeting.  They also modified agenda item #20, which would have appropriated funds enabling the immediate construction of the lots.

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of property owner sentiments regarding the parking lots.  Over 200 letters and emails were received by the Town.  They can be viewed here.

The HPBOA truly appreciates the time, effort, and emotions spent in communicating and sharing your opinions.   Hopefully, this information will help the Town develop long-term parking plans that property owners can support with the same passion as has been shown this past week.

Stay tuned for additional updates as we continue our work to help address the Town’s parking challenges.

The Town of Holden Beach Board of Commissioners will meet Tuesday, February 16^th for their regular monthly meeting.

The agenda includes possible action to create the new parking lots that were described in our email to members.  The public hearing prior to the meeting is for changes to the building height measurement point and not the parking lots.  Regular meeting highlights also include possible change of speed limits during the off-season on OBW, changes to the trash can rules, and increases in the water rates.  Click here for the meeting packet, the parking lot information starts on page 140.

We encourage you to send your comments to the Town Clerk and/or the Commissioners prior to the meeting.  The HBPOA has heard the following complaints regarding the new parking lots:

1. The parking lots provide no benefit to taxpayers/property owners
2. The impacts to property owners have not been considered
3. There have been no opportunities for public input or notice
4. There has been no analysis of the ongoing costs
5. The plans should, at a minimum, follow a re-zoning process since they are changing the purpose of the property

If you have comments to submit but want to remain anonymous, please send them to HBPOA@hotmail.com and we will represent you.  The HBPOA as an organization has not yet taken an official position, but we have also not heard from any property owner who is in favor of these new free public parking lots.

The Town is considering the creation of free public parking lots in the 300, 700, and 800 blocks of Ocean Blvd West, and along Avenue A.  The Commissioners could vote to approve some or all of these lots at their meeting this coming Tuesday, February 16.

There will be no public hearing regarding these plans, and the only opportunity for public comment will be at the beginning of the Commissioners’ meeting related to agenda topics.

Public parking is a significant problem due to the high growth of housing and RV park developments on the mainland combined with increasingly more people who want to visit the beach.  Since land on the island is limited, so is our ability to accommodate parking for all these visitors, especially during peak season holidays.

Since no parking is truly free, it is a question of who pays and who benefits, and the balance between property owner rights and accommodating day visitors.  Creating a public parking lot between or across from homes in a residential area burdens the property owners and guests who have to deal with the traffic, noise, trash, porta-potties and possible trespassing if a public beach accessway is not convenient.  It will also burden all taxpayers with the cost of creating and maintaining the lots going forward.

For more information, click here for a copy of the Parking Committee Meeting Packet showing the locations and costs for the planned lots.  Maps begin on page 5 of the packet. 

The Commissioners would like to receive your input, and we encourage you to provide it.  Click here for information about how to contact the Commissioners prior to their decision. If you want your comments to be included in the official record for the meeting, you need to send them to the Town Clerk, Heather Finnell. 

The HBPOA will continue to monitor and report on this important issue, recognizing how difficult it is to keep up with what is going on while the Town is closed due to the COVID emergency.  As usual, we will be emailing information about the BOC meeting agenda prior to the meeting on February 16^th.  

Check the photos below – do you own property in these areas?

The Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will be meeting Wednesday, November 18 for their regular November meeting.  On the agenda is the response from the Science Panel to the comments received at the public hearings and via email.  You can read the Science Panel’s response here.  There were 141 pages of comments, none were noted to be in favor of the boundary changes, and the majority were regarding the massive increase in the IHA on the west end of Holden Beach.  If you wish to listen in to the meeting or make comments prior to the meeting, the link is on the agenda here.

Proposed Inlet Hazard Area on West End.

Proposed Inlet Hazard Area on East End.

The Town of Holden Beach Board of Commissioners will meet Tuesday, November 17 for their regular monthly meeting.  Highlights include the ’19-’20 Audit, possibly hiring a new Town Attorney, revisiting compliance of the required number of trash cans at rentals, and forming a parking working group to address the parking issues.  The agenda is below.  Click here for the meeting packet.

Thanksgiving Meeting Canceled

Due to Covid-19 the Thanksgiving Membership Meeting has been CANCELED.  Members whose dues are current should watch their USPS mail for a ballot to approve the 2021 Budget and Director elections.  To check the status of your membership dues and or pay, update your mailing address, or add/change email addresses go to our Wild Apricot Membership Site.

We wish you and yours a safe and joyful holiday season!

If you own property on Holden Beach you also pay Brunswick County taxes.  The Town’s boundary is the middle of the bridge, the County is responsible for areas that are not incorporated into a municipality such as the Causeway.  The County has kicked off a project to create a new Comprehensive Plan and a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan.  Please take their brief survey about what you want for recreational opportunities and future development in the County.  The survey asks your thoughts on commercial and residential development, such as retail vs. industrial and single-family homes vs. apartments.  It also asks about which recreation or park needs do you foresee such as more pickleball courts or more ballfields.  What is your vision for Brunswick County?  What is on your wish list for the area?

You can find out more about the project including in-person and virtual meeting dates by going to the Blueprint Brunswick page.

Note: The meeting packet is available by clicking here.

TOWN OF HOLDEN BEACH

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING 

HOLDEN BEACH TOWN HALL – PUBLIC ASSEMBLY 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020 – 5:00 P.M.

1.    Invocation

2.    Call to Order/ Welcome

3.    Pledge of Allegiance

4.    Agenda Approval Approved

5.    Approval of Minutes  All Approved

a.         Minutes of the Special Meeting of September 3, 2020

b.         Minutes of the Public Hearing/Regular Meeting of September 15, 2020

c.          Minutes of the Public Hearing/Regular Meeting of September 18, 2020 (Recessed from September 15, 2020)

6.    Public Comments on Agenda/General Items None

7.    Annual Beach Monitoring Report – Fran Way, Applied Technology and Management (Assistant Town Manager Ferguson)  Mr. Way presented the annual beach monitoring report.

8.    Discussion and Possible Action on Employee Health Benefits – Commissioner Sullivan  Town currently pays 80% of benefits costs for employees’ spouse and families, which is higher than most other communities.  Agreed item will be added to next month’s agenda.

9.    Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution 20-10, Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Communicate the Town’s Opposition to FEMA’s Current Policies for Disaster Debris in Gated Communities – Town Manager Hewett   Approved as amended.  Added “economic recovery” to resolution.

10. Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution 20-11, Resolution Amending the Town of Holden Beach Capital Improvement Plan by Establishing a Fire Hydrant Replacement Policy – Town Manager Hewett/Public Works Director Clemmons  Approved unanimously.

11. Discussion and Possible Approval of Resolution 20-12, Resolution of the Town of Holden Beach Declaring the Intent to Reimburse Itself for Capital Expenditures from the Proceeds of Certain Tax- Exempt Obligations – Town Manager Hewett Allows the Town to finance part of the expenses for sewer lift stations and a second water tower.  These would also be used in the development fee analysis.  Approved unanimously.

12. Discussion and Possible Scheduling of a Date to Hold a Public Hearing to Hear Proposed Comments on the Land Use Plan – Inspections Director Evans  Meeting set December 15, 2020 at 5pm.

13. Discussion and Possible Action on Proposed Lease of 796 Ocean Boulevard West – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson Voted unanimously to approve the lease of 796 OBW to a Town employee for $700 per month contingent upon a favorable inspection from the building inspector that the property was safe to rent.

14. Request to Change Deliverable Date for Police Committee – Commissioner Sullivan  Voted unanimously to extend report delivery date until March 2021.

15. Discussion and Possible Action on the Criteria, Qualifications and Service Arrangement for a Legal Services Provider for the Board of Commissioners – Commissioner Tyner  Discussed that they want an attorney with municipal experience.  Commissioners Sullivan and Kwiatkowski appreciate having the attorney at meetings. Cost is an issue.

16. Discussion and Possible Action on the Board of Commissioners’ Relationship with the Law Office of G. Grady Richardson Jr. – Commissioner Tyner  Voted to terminate the relationship with current firm.  Asked Town Manager to create an RFP for legal service and distribute.

17. Town Manager’s Report Town Manager presented his quarterly financial report.  He encouraged all to vote.  The new generator is in and staff has been trained.  The Town applied for permits for the next beach nourishment and will have a scoping meeting with CAMA on Friday. The numbers from the Beach Engineer for Isaias came in at 67,000cy of sand lost at a cost of $5,000,000 for a stand-alone project.  Debris that was being stored at the Turkey Trap Road site has been removed.  Regarding the buoys in the Lockwood Folly, the Corps is developing a report on the costs to dredge quarterly.  The Town has budgeted for one dredging.  Lobbyist Mike McIntyre has changed firms and the Town Manager has made the changes required.  Virtual visits with legislators are scheduled for November.  NC Department of Water Resources has awarded a grant of $106,000 for dune repair.  Lift station #3 is on target to be completed ahead of schedule.  The Town received $40,000 for Covid supplies. The Town Manager says he will not be following the leave policy for employees.  Letters regarding paving of the three unpaved streets were sent to property owners and are due in December.  The water contract with the County has expired and a new contract is expected in January.  The Town met with the contractor regarding developing a revised development fee schedule.

In response to a question from Commissioner Sullivan, the Town Manager asked Building Inspector Evans to share news that the Community Rating System (CRS) rating for the Town has been lowered resulting in an additional 5% reduction in flood insurance rates for property owners.  There will now be a 15% reduction.   

18. Mayor’s Comments The Island is extremely busy, rentals are strong, and people are using the boat dock.

19. Board of Commissioners’ Comments  Commissioner Brown encouraged everyone to vote.  Commissioner Tyner thanked everyone for the calls during his health issues.  Commissioner Murdock thanked the Staff for their hard work.  Also, he wants to be of service to the citizens and hear their concerns and ideas.  Residents wanted their streets paved, they need to return the forms.  Commissioner Sullivan encouraged everyone to stay safe and noted the crowds still on the beach enjoying the weather.  Commissioner Kwiatkowski discussed the advocacy work she and the Town Manager were doing with the League of Municipalities.  She encouraged everyone to stay well.  

20.Adjournment

* Due to the Town of Holden Beach’s State of Emergency Restrictions and Governor Cooper’s Safer at Home Order, in person public attendance is prohibited. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Town’s Facebook page. Visit https://www.facebook.com/holdenbeachtownhall/ to watch the livestream. Public comments can be submitted to heather@hbtownhall.com or deposited in the Town’s drop box at Town Hall prior to 3:00 p.m. on October 20, 2020.