County flags FAA approval delays and potential flood-zone limits on Buxton transfer station; staff to convene CIP meeting

County staff briefed commissioners on regulatory delays that are stalling two infrastructure projects.

The first involves a planned replacement of public-works buildings on airport property; staff said a lower-level FAA official indicated she would recommend against approval, citing technical and historical deed-restriction questions dating to the 1970s. Staff told the board they are obtaining two independent appraisals and coordinating with the North Carolina Department of Aviation and federal legislators to resolve the issues before financing is finalized.

A second project, a planned transfer station in Buxton, may be constrained by flood-zone rules that prohibit transfer stations in certain mapped flood areas. If the county cannot obtain an exception, commercial debris operations may need to be rerouted, affecting island businesses and funding arrangements.

Staff requested no immediate board action but asked for permission to pause costly work by the design firm Barnhill until FAA and regulatory questions are resolved; commissioners agreed and directed staff to convene a CIP meeting between now and the February board meeting to lay out schedule, funding and contingency options.