A new Register of Deeds was sworn in, an ordinance against sleeping overnight on county property was passed and the first property sale in the county’s Blue Clay Business Park moved forward. All this and more took place during Monday’s meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. Here are the highlights.
Collins appointed, sworn in as new Register of Deeds
Morghan Collins was unanimously appointed by the Commissioners to fill the opening of Register of Deeds. Collins was nominated by the New Hanover County Republican Party to replace Tammy Piver who recently retired from the position. Following her appointment, Collins was sworn in with her family by her side. She will serve in the role until the next election cycle in 2024. Learn more about the work of the Register of Deeds here.
Amendment to Code of Ordinances approved
An ordinance that prohibits overnight sleeping on county property was read for the second time and approved by a majority of the board in a 4-1 vote. The amendment was previously read at the January 23 Commissioners meeting, but did not receive unanimous approval, meaning it needed a second reading.
The purpose of the ordinance is to help keep county properties safe and properly maintained. Outreach to individuals who could be impacted by this change will happen in the coming days. The county’s work to connect people to resources through the Street Outreach Program will continue, and enforcement of this newly establish ordinance will be a last resort only when necessary.
First land to be sold in Blue Clay Business Park
The first property sale for the county’s 120-acre Blue Clay Business Park is officially moving forward.
Commissioners approved an offer from Francini, Inc., an importer and distributor of natural and engineered stone products, to purchase 6.25 acres of land in the park through the 10-day upset bid process. The offer is at a cost of $40,000 per acre, with a four-year option to purchase an additional 7.06 acres adjacent to the current property at the same price.
This purchase would expand the company’s operations and further the county’s goals within the business park to provide more opportunities for industries to grow.
That’s not all …
Commissioners also approved a Heart Health Awareness Month proclamation, highlighting the work of New Hanover County Health and Human Services to help citizens reduce the risks for heart and cardiovascular disease. And approved a grant application by the county’s Engineering Department to the NC Shallow Draft Inlet Program to receive funding for 2023-24 for the Mason Inlet Maintenance Dredging Event. If approved through the program, the grant is expected to cover $8.1 million, or 75 percent, of the project’s $10.8 million cost, with the other $2.7 million coming from the Mason Inlet Preservation Group.
Public hearings were also held for two Planning and Land Use items, including an office and warehouse space on Old Wrightsboro Road (approved in a 3-2 vote) and converting a home into an office space on Castle Hayne Road (unanimously approved).
You can view the February 6 meeting here and below. The next regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners is set for 9 a.m. on February 20.
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners holds its regularly scheduled meetings on the first and third Monday of each month, unless otherwise noted. These meetings take place at the New Hanover County Historic Courthouse (24 North 3rd Street, Room 301). A schedule of the 2023 meetings can be found here.
All meetings are broadcast live on NHCTV.com, New Hanover County's YouTube channel and Spectrum channel 13. For meeting agendas, minutes and exhibits, visit Commissioners.NHCgov.com.
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