North Carolina
NC lawmakers weigh parking lot reforms that would impact stormwater runoff
A proposal at the North Carolina General Assembly could reshape how parking lots are built and help reduce pollution from paved surfaces like roads and driveways.
House Bill 369, known as the Parking Lot Reform and Modernization Act, advanced last week in the House. The current version of the bill focuses on two changes: limiting local parking mandates and banning the use of certain toxic pavement sealants.
As rain drenches much of the state this week, the environmental stakes are hard to ignore. Stormwater runoff from paved surfaces is one of the leading sources of water pollution in North Carolina, carrying oil, chemicals and other contaminants into streams and rivers.
In a blog post, Catawba Riverkeeper Ellie Riggs called the proposed bill “a critical step to protect waterways, businesses, and communities from runoff and flooding.”
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, just one inch of rain on an acre of pavement can generate more than 27,000 gallons of runoff.
“Reducing unnecessary pavement and banning toxic sealants are crucial steps to protect our waterways,” Riggs wrote.
What the bill would do
The current version of HB 369 includes two main provisions:
- Parking reform: Cities and counties would no longer be allowed to require more parking spaces than a developer chooses to build. It also limits local authority to mandate oversized parking spaces, except in cases like handicapped or diagonal parking. Supporters say the change could reduce unnecessary pavement, lower development costs and allow for more flexible land use.
- Pollution prevention: Beginning in 2026, the bill would ban the sale and use of pavement sealants containing high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. Studies show these chemicals, found in coal tar-based products, can be harmful to human health and aquatic life. Several cities in North Carolina and across the U.S. have already banned these products.
The bill also includes a $5,000 appropriation to the Department of Commerce to help educate property owners about potential savings from reducing the size or number of parking spaces.
What changed from the original draft
Earlier versions of the bill also included language aimed at limiting how local governments regulate stormwater during redevelopment projects. Specifically, it would have prevented cities and counties from requiring new runoff controls on areas that were already paved or developed, particularly for small-scale residential projects.
That draft language allowed local governments to require stormwater capture for up to 50 percent of runoff from an entire redevelopment site and encouraged the use of incentives for capturing more. Supporters argued the section would help promote redevelopment by setting clear limits on what could be required.
However, some environmental advocates and local officials raised concerns that it could weaken efforts to manage flooding and water pollution, especially in areas facing growing stormwater challenges.
In response to those concerns, lawmakers removed the stormwater language from the most recent version of the bill. Stormwater rules would remain unchanged, leaving cities and counties with the authority to require runoff controls as they see fit.
The bill remains under consideration in the House State and Local Government Committee. It must pass both the House and Senate before becoming law.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
Follow
-
Finance6 minutes agoHong Kong reasserts role as safe haven in global finance amid Iran conflict
-
Fitness12 minutes agoHow the 3-3-3 Rule Helped Me Stick to an Exercise Routine
-
Movie Reviews24 minutes agoFILM REVIEW: ROSE OF NEVADA – Joyzine
-
World36 minutes ago
Oil prices rise anew after a US-Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz strands tankers
-
News42 minutes agoVideo: 8 Children Killed in Louisiana Shooting, Police Say
-
Culture1 hour agoPoetry Challenge: Memorize “The More Loving One” by W.H. Auden
-
Lifestyle1 hour agoPhotos: How overfishing in Southeast Asia is an ecological and human crisis
-
Technology2 hours agoBlue Origin successfully reused its New Glenn rocket