If you’d like an exciting read, there are thrillers like Stephen King’s classic “Pet Sematary” or John Grisham’s “A Time to Kill.”
On the other end of the spectrum, if you are looking for something to put you to sleep, take a gander at NC House Bill 765 Version II.
On Wednesday the Highlands board of commissioner held a specially called meeting to voice their displeasure with HB765. In terms of what matters most to Highlands, there are really three major issues at play.
First, the language in the bill as it is currently constructed would allow for individual elected officials to be sued in connections with decisions made by the town board. Currently, if the Town of Highlands makes a decision a resident of the town is unhappy with, that person can sue the town as an entity but not each individual commissioner or the mayor.
As Mayor Pat Taylor put it, why would anyone run for municipal office if they can be sued for any or every decision they make?
At a time when we need more capable leaders willing to step up and be part of the public process, HB765 would discourage municipal government participation.
Second, the bill would set state standards for land use in terms of building density, mandatory lot sizes, etc. How those regulations would be applied in Highlands is a grey area since state statutes already in place recognize Highlands as an important watershed area and thus afford the town additional leeway when it comes to land use regulatory authority.
Lastly, HB765 sets the stage for a fight over “accessory dwelling units.” The bill would restrict any city with a population over 125,000 from regulating accessory dwelling units in any way. Essentially, any and all properties in NC cities would be opened up to the addition of ADU’s, which are often used for short-term rental purposes.
Obviously, Highlands’ population is nowhere near 125,000, but if that regulation takes hold in North Carolina’s cities, it’s likely only a matter of time before it becomes the law everywhere.
House Bill 765 may be a boring read, but if you are interested in the future of municipal government, it’s an important one.