Remote On-Line Notarization
Even with the legislature focused on a specific agenda, NCR was able to advance one of our top legislative priorities. House bill 776, Remote Online Notarization (RON), was signed into law by Gov. Cooper on July 8. North Carolina now joins 39 other states who have passed this necessary legislation that’s a reflection of the technology-based world we live in.
The pandemic highlighted the need to be able to notarize and safely sign documents electronically. The NCR lobbying team passed legislation during the 2020 session to allow real estate transactions to continue during the pandemic. Therefore, RON was allowed as a temporary solution. Once the temporary solution expired, NCR knew that this pandemic-driven necessity should become a permanent solution.
After months of negotiations and strategizing, a consumer, attorney and/or notary can now be in different locations and safely sign documents electronically. The passage of RON marks a major win for our industry.
Please stay turned for the July 22nd Advocate for the second part the legislative wrap-up.
If you have any questions, please contact Pam Melton, Director Political and External Communications.
Fayetteville City Council Approves Multiple Annexations
The following annexations have been approved for the City of Fayetteville
*Annexation area is located along the southern side of Dunn Road and the eastern side of N. Plymouth Street. The property consist of two parcels and a portion of two other parcels resulting in approximately 84.80 acres and is owned by AOM II LLC. This is a proposed industrial site.
This annexation passed unanimously.
*Annexation area is located within Kings Grant subdivision, along the western side of Shawcroft Road between Kimsey and Gregg Crout. The property is 5.22 acres and is owned by Tumbleweed Holdings, LLC. The development will consist of 140-160 residential homes.
This annexation passed with Councilwoman Shakela Ingram voting in opposition.
*Annexation area is located along the southern side of King and Rockfish Roads, across from Lakewood Drive. The property is 16.47 acres. The owner plans to build a commercial development.
This annexation passed unanamously.
City of Fayetteville Seeking Applications for Boards and Commissions
City of Fayetteville, NC Government
Are you a Fayetteville resident interested in shaping the future of the City by advising the Mayor and City Council? Apply by July 31, 2022 and become a member of a board or commission to be a voice in your community. To apply and learn more, visit Fayettevillenc.gov.
**The Fayetteville City Council will review and approve board and commission members at a regular meeting in September 2022.**
Click the link below or call Longleaf Pine for assistance.
https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-council/boards-and-commissions
Cumberland County Commission Update
The following public hearing rezoning cases were voted on.
Rezoning from A1 Agricultural District to R15 Residential Conditional Zoning District. The property is 6.0 acres and is located at the end of Laguardia Drive north of Gander Way. Developer proposed 14 single family residential lots as a zero lot line subdivision with lots ranging from 10,506 sq. ft and a 1.1 acre stormwater pond. County planning staff has recommended approval.
Vote: County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the rezoning. Commissioners Keefe, Boose and Lancaster were not present.
Reconsideration (rehearing) rezoning of 12.36 acres from A1 Agricultural District to CP Planned Commercial District. The property is located east of Cedar Creek Road, north of Tabor Church Road. The rezoning was previously denied in 2021. The owner of the property sued the county.
Vote: A motion was made to DEFER the case and the motion passed with Commissioner Evans voting in opposition.
What Was Said:
Commissioner Adams – Is anyone opposed to deferring?
Commissioner Evans – I am. I kinda understand your request but then again I don’t. You have a full board here, you have a quorum. What happens at the next meeting if the same individuals don’t show up or you don’t show up and you keep delaying it until you have a full seven member board? It just doesn’t make sense to me. Everybody gets a copy of the agenda. Everybody knew what was on the agenda tonight and then you have commissioners that didn’t show up. I don’t think it’s right to you (the developer) and it’s not right to this board. I think we need to act on this. It doesn’t make sense to put this off because you have 3 other members…were the other board members excused? Was it an excused absence?
Commissioner Adams – Mr. Keefe wasn’t feeling well. We had the meeting upstairs and he wasn’t feeling well.
Commissioner Evans – But he was here?
Commissioner Adams – Yes, but he said he wasn’t feeling well.
Commissioner Evans – What about Michael and Larry?
Commissioner Adams – Mr. Boose had some medical issues and Mr. Lancaster wasn’t feeling well.
Commssioner Evans – WOW
Other Business:
An incentive package was approved for project “Dogwood.” The project will be constructed on vacant property (Dunn Road) across from the former MJ Soffee. The package is for a national home construction company with the average wage of $45,079.
Environmental Protection Agency Announces New Gen X Advisories
(from EPA & Senator deViere’s office)
The EPA has issued LIFETIME Drinking Water Health Advisories for four PFAS Chemicals. The agency establishes new health advisories for GenX and PFBS.
The order requires Chemours to provide whole house filtration for private drinking water wells with Gen-X concentrations that fall within the new health advisory
The Department of Environmental Quality estimates that more than 1700 additional private well users will now be eligible for whole house filtration or connection to a public water supply
The DEQ has sent a letter to Chemours directing them to proceed with the implementation of the health advisory and additional information to be provided to residents regarding their options and next steps as soon as possible
According to the EPA, there is an increased risk of adverse health effects, including effects on the immune system, the cardiovascular system, human development, and cancer, when drinking water with these compounds above the health advisory over a lifetime.
The EPA recommends that water systems that measure any levels of PFOA or PFOS to take steps in informing customers, undertaking additional sampling to assess the levels, scope and source of the contamination, and to examine steps in limiting exposure.
The EPA is NOT recommending bottled water or providing alternative water sources.
To view the entire document click the link below. A community meeting will take place in July. Details coming soon.
The Cumberland County delegation attended a GenX briefing on June 16th, 2022. To view the press release click the link below.
https://files.constantcontact.com/6f80e294701/1860ec17-e562-404e-8bdf-3f43ccc55e95.pdf
Comments from the EPA announcement:
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan – “People on the front-lines of PFAS contamination have suffered for far too long. That’s why EPA is taking aggressive action as part of a whole-of-government approach to prevent these chemicals from entering the environment and to help protect concerned families from this pervasive challenge.”
EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox – “EPA is also demonstrating its commitment to harmonize policies that strengthen public health protections with infrastructure funding to help communities – especially disadvantaged communities – deliver safe water.”
Assistant Administrator Fox announced these actions at the 3rd National PFAS Conference in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Fayetteville City Council Approves New Uses for Hotels/Motels
Fayetteville City Council has approved unanimously to amend the Unified Development Ordinance to allow the adaptive reuse of hotels/motels into multi-family dwellings.
Adaptive reuse is intended to promote infill development, community compatibility and economic development by allowing and providing incentives for reusing valuable existing buildings after public review through the Neighborhood Compatibility Permit process. (from city ordinance) Fayetteville has a stock of fine older buildings that greatly contribute to the City’s quality of life and urban character. Adaptive reuse permits a wider range of land uses to be available to these existing buildings for the purpose of extending their useful life.
Conversion from hotels/motels is allowed for hotels/motels operating over a ten year period or are currently NOT operating but have operated in the past ten years as a hotel/motel.
This ordinance change is to encourage redevelopment along underutilized commercial strip corridors and reinvestment in distressed residential neighborhoods.