Holden Beach Property Owners Association

The Army Corps of Engineers has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for a terminal groin on Holden Beach and will host an informational meeting on September 24 at 6:00pm at Town Hall.  Public comments may be submitted through October 13.

The proposed groin will be 1000′ long and have a 120′ “T” section at the end.  The groin will reach 700′ into the ocean with the remaining 300′ on the beach and be constructed of 4- to 5-ft-diameter granite armor stone.  The crest of the groin would be approximately five feet wide and the base would be approximately 40′ wide.

For more information:

Draft Environmental Impact Statement:  http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryPermitProgram/MajorProjects/HBDEIS.aspx

Article on Holden Beach Groin 9-15-15:  http://www.coastalreview.org/2015/09/holden-beach-terminal-groin-study-released/

Links to other Terminal Groin Studies including Bald Head Island and Ocean Isle: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryPermitProgram/MajorProjects

Links on Terminal Groins from Town of Holden Beach  http://www.hbtownhall.com/terminal-groins.html

Are you aware that two wind farms visible from Holden Beach are in the works?  If an unobstructed horizon is important to you get an update on this topic here.

On Saturday we mailed a newsletter to all Holden Beach property owners.  Included in the newsletter are instructions for taking a survey on issues confronting our island.  Watch your US postal mail for this newsletter and please take the survey.  If you don’t receive the newsletter within a few days send us an email.  The mailing addresses were taken from the Town’s tax records.

While we use email as much as possible when contacting our members, we wanted to reach every property owner with the survey information.  If you have any questions about the newsletter, the survey or HBPOA please email us at [email protected].

NCSU has applied to rezone the lot at 516 OBW from Conservation to R-1 zoning.  Though the sign says August 25 for the rezoning hearing, this date has been pushed back.

In January, the Town building code was changed to eliminate the long-standing 35’ height limit.  The old code measured 35’ from ground level, with a very complicated formula for determining ground level.  The new code measures 31’ from the flood zone elevation plus two feet of “freeboard”.  For example, a house in a VE18 flood zone with a lot elevation of five feet above sea level can now be 46 feet tall (18+2+31-5).   You can read the old version and the new version of the code here.  You can find a property’s flood zone elevation by going here, just zoom to the property level and click it.

The change was made to reflect the realities of flood insurance ratings.  One of the results of the old rules was that new construction design was being driven to flatter roofs.  The new limits were supposed to allow the rooflines to be more aesthetically pleasing.  In practice, what has happened is that it is now possible to build three floors of living space.

This diagram below compares the two approaches. 

The best actual comparison can be seen at 287 and 289 Ocean Blvd West.  The house at 287 was one of the last ones built under the old code, and the house being built at 289 is one of the first ones under the new code.  The home at 289 is higher off the ground and also includes a third story of living space.

Are you interested in what is going on at Holden Beach and want to get involved?  Do you know someone who would be a great addition to our Board of Directors?  It is that time of the year where we solicit our membership for new Directors to serve on our Board.

The Board meets prior to each membership meeting, the Saturdays of Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving* weekends, and occasionally holds other meetings as needed.  There is no requirement to be a full time resident, in fact almost 90% of our membership lives somewhere else!

If you are curious about what is involved or might be interested in serving please contact a member of our nominating committee:  John Fletcher or Rick Smith.  

As always, feel free to email us at [email protected] with questions and we will get back to you.