Commissioners overturn county stormwater permit for Pointe Grand Long Beach after Rivermist appeals

Brunswick County commissioners voted to reverse a staff-approved stormwater permit for the Point Grand Long Beach multifamily project after nearby Rivermist residents and the homeowners association raised concerns that some existing outfall pipes and culverts are makeshift, poorly maintained and insufficient to absorb redirected runoff.

County Stormwater Administrator Richard Christiansen told the board that stormwater modeling submitted with the application shows the overall post-development runoff rates would be lower than predevelopment rates at the site’s four outfalls, and that the submittal met county ordinance requirements. Residents and Rivermist representatives countered with photographs and eyewitness accounts showing a 12‑inch corrugated pipe and an 8‑inch pipe that they say are half‑buried, partially blocked and not subject to recorded easement or maintenance agreements. Jim Scala, vice president of the Rivermist POA, said the on‑the‑ground condition differed from the plans and warned of continued flooding risk to residents’ yards.

Commissioners spent substantial time questioning staff about whether the plan’s calculations accounted for an existing concrete V‑channel, orphan culverts and the lack of recorded maintenance agreements with adjacent properties. After public testimony and deliberation the board voted to overturn the staff decision and return the permit to further review, citing unresolved issues about downstream capacity and enforceable maintenance arrangements. The reversal does not itself prohibit the project from seeking further review or returning with revised documentation, but it does require additional work before a permit can be finalized.

Speakers listed for attribution: Richard Christiansen (Stormwater Administrator), Robert Gerke (appellant / resident), Jim Scala (Rivermist vice president), Donna Jenny (Rivermist POA president).