PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS

Your opportunity to speak

before final votes are cast.

Annexation, zoning, and 50-year development agreements move through a defined public process. Once approved, they are difficult to reverse.
Residents have a limited window to review, question, and respond.

Upcoming Public Hearing —

February 19, 2026

The Holly Ridge Town Council is scheduled to consider the proposed annexation, zoning, and Development Agreement (ANX-2026-01) at the February 19, 2026 Town Council meeting.

Public comment is a formal part of the decision-making process. Residents may submit written comments or speak at the public hearing.

Planning Board Meeting

Meeting Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Location: Holly Ridge Community Center
Address: 404 Sound Road, Holly Ridge, NC
Time: 6:00 PM

Public Hearing

Meeting Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Location: Holly Ridge Community Center
Address: 404 Sound Road, Holly Ridge, NC
Time: 6:00 PM

Town Public Hearing Comment Submission Form

How to Submit Written Public Comment

Written comments become part of the official public record and are reviewed by Town Council members as part of their decision-making process.

Comments may be submitted to:

Review Key Findings Before Submitting Comment:

• Fiscal Impact Analysis →

• Contamination & Environmental Review →

• Development Agreement Review →

• Supporting Documents →

• Groundwater Review →

Statutory Framework

Annexation requests and development agreements in North Carolina are governed by state statute, including:

N.C. General Statutes Chapter 160D (Planning and Development Regulation), which authorizes development agreements and outlines public hearing, notice, and approval procedures.
N.C. General Statutes Chapter 160A, Article 4A, which governs municipal annexation procedures.

These statutes define:

Public notice requirements
Public hearing procedures
Council voting standards
Development agreement authority and duration
Enforcement and amendment mechanisms

The scope of municipal authority and public participation is established by state law and local ordinance. Residents are encouraged to review applicable statutes and official municipal procedures when evaluating annexation and development matters.

The authority granted under these statutes can bind a municipality for decades.

Key Considerations for Public Review

When evaluating long-term agreements, residents may consider reviewing:

Duration and renewal terms
Amendment procedures
Infrastructure capacity and service thresholds
Fiscal allocation and maintenance obligations
Enforcement authority and compliance remedies
Environmental due diligence documentation

These structural components shape how agreements function over time.

Once executed, long-term agreements are difficult to unwind.

Public participation is one component of the statutory review process. Residents are encouraged to review primary materials directly and engage through established municipal procedures.

SafeHollyRidge.org does not represent any municipal body and does not provide legal advice. This page is intended as an informational overview of publicly available processes.

Public Participation in Annexation & Development Review

Submitting Public Comment

Residents may provide input through:

In-person comments during public hearings
Written comment submitted to the Town Clerk
Email submission (when permitted by policy)

Submission deadlines, time limits, and procedures vary by meeting type.
Verify requirements through official municipal sources.

Written comments become part of the public record.

Monitor Meeting Agendas

Key votes occur at:

Planning Board meetings
Town Council meetings
Public hearings

Review:

Official meeting calendars
Posted agenda packets
Recorded sessions when available

Votes may occur shortly after hearings. Timing matters.

Review Official Documents

Before submitting comments, review what is actually being proposed:

Annexation application and boundary maps
Proposed 50-year development agreement
Infrastructure capacity and utility documentation
Environmental assessments (Phase I and any Phase II sampling)
Staff reports and agenda packets

Official sources include:

Town of Holly Ridge public records
Planning Board and Council agenda postings
The Reports & Documents section of this site

Public decisions should be based on the full record — not summaries.