At property owners’ request, Ocean Isle Beach gains control of additional land
Ocean Isle Beach will have a say in the development of land outside its town limits.
At the request of the town and property owners, the Brunswick County Commissioners unanimously approved a request to expand the Ocean Isle Beach extraterritorial jurisdiction to extend across four parcels of land just outside the town limits.
An extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ, extends the jurisdictional power of a municipality beyond its city limits for planning and development regulation. This means the town will be able to regulate zoning for these parcels.
According to North Carolina law, the town’s population of less than 10,000 people dictates its ETJ may extend up to one mile from its municipal limits. This ETJ expansion consists of four parcels of land totaling nearly 16 acres located off Hale Swamp Road.
According to Brunswick County Planning Director Kirstie Dixon, there are currently no plans for development on these parcels or pending permits.
The property owners – Charles Fox, Jonathan Williamson, Whitney Sauls, Tripp Sloane and Brandon Sauls – each requested, in writing, the ETJ.
“In its current state, it has limited the prospects of myself and my family to utilize the property for our own personal growth,” Williamson said.
Brunswick County must grant approval for all ETJs. The county’s ETJ expansion policy was established in 1995 as a planning tool and proactive response to such requests.
Requests for ETJs have often been denied by county officials. For example, a 2022 request by St. James to create an ETJ regarding the property across from the town was shot down by county planning staff and ultimately withdrawn by the town.
The board considered the matter at its July meeting where the request was unanimously approved.
“The only time I’ve ever supported an ETJ was when the property owners requested it,” Commissioner Frank Williams said.
Commissioner Mike Forte added that he is historically “anti-ETJ” and had never voted in favor of one. Forte voted in the affirmative regarding this request, stating he did so because the request came at the hands of the property owners.
“I just want to clarify to the other municipalities, this is not an invitation to send us requests for ETJs not requested by property owners,” Williams added.
STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest Brunswick County news by signing up for the Brunswick Today newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.
In June, the Brunswick County Planning Board recommended the ETJ to the commissioners for approval, at county staff’s request.
The board voted 4-0 to approve the request at its July meeting. Commissioner Pat Sykes was not in attendance.
Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter @jameybcross.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Ocean Isle Beach granted governing power of more land
