Village strengthens comprehensive approach to flooding, stormwater, and erosion control

The Village of Pinehurst is strengthening its approach to flooding, stormwater management, and erosion control through coordinated updates to the regulations and engineering standards that guide development and construction throughout the community.

At its Sept. 22 meeting, the Pinehurst Village Council adopted updates to the Village’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and Engineering Standards and Specifications Manual (ESSM), along with amendments to the Pinehurst Municipal Code addressing erosion and sedimentation associated with construction activity.

While each addresses a different aspect of development and construction, together the three measures provide a more comprehensive framework for managing stormwater, reducing erosion and runoff, and protecting people, property, and public infrastructure.

“Managing stormwater effectively requires looking at the issue from several angles,” Village Manager Doug Willardson said. “These updates allow us to address development in flood-prone areas, strengthen the standards used to design new infrastructure and give the Village better tools to respond to erosion and runoff during construction.”

Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

The Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance regulates development within mapped flood hazard areas and helps maintain Pinehurst’s compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program.

The updated ordinance modernizes requirements that have been in place since 2006 and reflects current federal requirements, terminology, administrative procedures, and floodplain management practices.

The update retains the Village’s existing requirement that regulated construction be elevated or floodproofed, as applicable, two feet above the Base Flood Elevation. It also maintains the 50% threshold for substantial improvements and substantial damage while measuring those improvements cumulatively over five years.

The update does not change Pinehurst’s current Flood Insurance Rate Maps or place additional properties within mapped flood hazard areas.

In a phone call with Sandhills News, Planning Director Alex Cameron explained one of the new preventive measures. Previously, new development proposals included only a 10-year stormwater management system. Now, 2, 10, and 25-year storms are considered. An engineer firm creates a hydrocad report, before development is considered for approval based on how much stormwater has impacted adjoining properties. Individuals are responsible for maintaining stormwater systems to prevent an increase in water run off.

Engineering Standards and Specifications Manual

The ESSM establishes the technical standards used to design and construct streets, stormwater systems, utilities, sidewalks, greenways, and other development-related infrastructure within Pinehurst.

Originally adopted in 2004 and last amended in 2015, the manual was reviewed by Village staff and engineering consultant Kimley-Horn to reflect current engineering practices and improve consistency with other Village regulations.

Among the changes, new development will be required to address pre- and post-development stormwater runoff for the 2-, 10- and 25-year storm events. The updated manual also establishes stormwater operation and maintenance requirements and updates standards for infrastructure including streets, greenways, utilities, and fire flow.

Municipal Code Amendments for Erosion and Sedimentation

As part of the broader package of updates, Council also amended the Pinehurst Municipal Code to address erosion and sedimentation associated with construction activity.

Rather than establishing a standalone development regulation, the amendments provide additional provisions within the Village’s existing municipal code to help address sediment and runoff from construction sites that may affect neighboring properties, drainage systems, streets, and other areas.

These amendments complement the Village’s floodplain regulations and engineering standards by addressing conditions that can arise during active construction.

Together, the three updates allow the Village to address stormwater and related impacts at different stages of the development process, from planning and design through construction and long-term infrastructure maintenance.

“These measures are designed to work together,” Willardson said. “Our goal is to make sure Pinehurst has appropriate standards in place before development occurs, during construction and for the infrastructure that will serve the community for years to come.”

For most residents, the changes will not affect routine activities or maintenance of an existing home. The requirements primarily apply to development within regulated flood hazard areas, new subdivisions and commercial development, development-related infrastructure, and construction activity subject to applicable Village requirements.

The updates are part of the Village’s broader effort to protect Pinehurst’s neighborhoods, natural resources and infrastructure while ensuring development is designed and constructed to appropriate standards.

Additional information about the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, ESSM and Municipal Code amendments is available at vopnc.org.

Oct. 1, 2026

Provided and supplemented.