The REALTOR® Party’s Land Use Initiative program (LUI) is often tapped on an emergency-basis, swooping in to address a problematic zoning measure on the brink of becoming law. Indeed, Robinson & Cole, LLC, the firm retained to provide land-use expertise to state and local associations, is prized throughout NAR for its timely and trenchant legal analysis. Imagine, then, what this resource can do when it’s used proactively, as part of the comprehensive planning process. That’s what North Carolina’s Jacksonville Board of REALTORS® did earlier this year: by leveraging their access to LUI early in the game, they’ve had a significant hand in preparing for the future development of the town of Holly Ridge and firmly established themselves as constructive planning partners in the community.
Christina Asbury, JBOR’s Legislative Committee Chair, is an Accredited Land Consultant and active in the REALTORS® Land Institute. In February, she got herself appointed to the committee updating Holly Ridge’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
“Associations and their members don’t have to be planning experts; they just need to be paying attention and recognize when things are happening and expertise is needed,” she explains; “that’s where the Land Use Initiative program comes in.” As one of two REALTORS® on the Holly Ridge committee, she didn’t feel pressure to resolve every concern at the monthly meetings; knowing that JBOR would be submitting the draft plan for an LUI review, they didn’t have to fight all the battles. “Having Robinson & Cole as an independent set of eyes to identify issues and provide us with an objective analysis to work from, is such a good tool. It enables you to come back with data-based, professional recommendations, instead of just – ‘I don’t like this plan!’”
And that is exactly what JBOR did. Asbury and Government Affairs Director Jerod Patterson, who also runs the region’s Business Alliance for a Sound Economy, worked to distill the LUI report into seven practical policy recommendations. These were the basis of all their advocacy as the draft plan moved toward consideration, including in-person discussions with the town’s Planning
Director and staff, the REALTORS®’ formal written comments, and Asbury’s testimony before the town council.
In the end, the Town of Holly Ridge adopted all but one of the recommendations: a major win for housing opportunities, property rights, future development, and balanced community growth.
“By drawing out specific recommendations selected for the highest impact in the community – such as workforce housing and proximity to jobs – we got the very best value from the report, all in accordance with the town’s overarching vision,” notes Patterson.
He points out that the advocacy supported by the LUI analysis brought essential education to the process. “Sometimes, it’s hard for stakeholders and decision-makers to see how land-use regulations relate to their vision. With our list based on the Robinson & Cole findings, we were able to say, ‘Here’s a recommendation that’s going to help achieve this.’ And, ‘Our analysis shows that if you set standards too high, this property will never be developed with what you say you want.’ No one understands land use issues and consequences better than REALTORS®, and if we can teach these officials as we engage with them, they’re not hearing it for the first time when it comes to a vote – which is in everyone’s best interests.”
Asbury agrees and encourages other REALTOR® associations facing any planning updates to engage early. “You’re going to have to put the work in, monitoring and planning, or you’ll be fighting battles continually down the road. That saying about having a seat at the table or being on the menu? It absolutely applies to land-use planning, so the sooner you can plan to bring Robinson & Cole onto your team, the better!”
To learn more about how the Jacksonville Board of REALTORS® is helping the region achieve the development that aligns with its vision for the future, contact Legislative Committee Chair Christina Asbury at christinasellsrealestate@gmail.com or 910.262.3948; or Government Affairs Director Jerod Patterson at jerod@ncbase.org.
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