Three Brunswick County Planning Board members have stepped away from their positions so far in 2026.
The departures come as the board's authority is being tested in court through litigation over the denied Green Hill development and as a new state law shifts final decisions away from the appointed board to county commissioners.
The changes have raised broader questions about the future role of the eight-member planning board and whether the county can continue attracting residents willing to serve a full three-year term on it.
Prior to a law enacted July 2, 2026, the board was responsible for reviewing development proposals for compliance with the county's unified development ordinance and having final approval authority over residential projects
in unincorporated areas of the county.
Now, under state legislation, those final decisions rest with county commissioners. However, that is not the only recent challenge the planning board is facing.
The most recent board departure was Ron Medlin, owner and operator of Ron Medlin Construction and a longtime local builder. Medlin was appointed by Commissioner Marty Cooke in 2024 to represent District 2. His term was scheduled to run through June 30, 2027.
Planning Board Chair Clifton Cheek said Medlin's resignation, effective immediately, was due to personal reasons, noting there were several meetings Medlin was absent.
On Oct. 5, county commissioners appointed Jason Helms, Medlin's son-in-law, to fill the vacancy. Cheek said Medlin recommended Helms for the position.
Helms already serves as the District 2 representative on the Brunswick County Zoning Board of Adjustment. He is also involved with the Brunswick County Home Builders Association and works as a project manager for Medlin's company.
Medlin's step down follows two other resignations that occurred earlier this year.
Former Vice Chairman Jason Gaver resigned after relocating out of the county in March. Travis Cruse has since filled Gaver's position for District 4.
Former District 3 representative Jim Board resigned shortly before Gaver following a meeting where planning board members approved a large development in Winnabow, despite opposition from nearby residents. The District 3 seat remains vacant as of Oct. 20.
Board frequently voted to deny residential development proposals during his 18 months of service. He consistently cited concerns about school capacity, emergency services, roads and other infrastructure as reasons for opposing projects.
In Board's resignation letter, he said he came to believe the board lacked the authority to meaningfully address those concerns. Board argued that board members were very limited to determining whether projects complied with county ordinances, regardless of concerns about growth-related impacts, and questioned whether the planning board remained necessary.
The third board turnover comes as Brunswick continues defending the planning board's denial of the proposed Green Hill development in superior court.
Developers argue Green Hill complied with applicable regulations and should have been approved. County officials have maintained that planning board members possessed independent decision-making authority and were not obligated to follow staff recommendations.
The active court case could help clarify the extent of the planning board's authority under the county's previous development approval system.
Final authority over residential developments now rests with county commissioners, with the planning board now tasked with reviewing projects and making recommendations. However, there are still some projects submitted prior to the law change and only require planning board approval.
"I think right now we are in a bit of a transitionary period," Cheek said.
Asked if the District 3 vacancy has had any impact on the board, Cheek replied no. The board always has a quorum to discuss and vote, Cheek said.
Though staff helps keep planning board members on track, Cheek said the law change has caused some confusion for how they are suppose to take action during meetings. The confusion will likely last until February or March as older proposals make their way through the former process, Cheek said.
The planning board's role as an "extra set of eyes" remains valuable to county commissioners, Cheek said. With final development decisions now resting with elected officials, he believes residents may be more willing to serve because appointed board members no longer bear responsibility for the ultimate vote.
"It's still a little early," Cheek said of any discussion about restructuring the board, as they continue adjusting to the new development review system.
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Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at stenenoff@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: How the Brunswick Planning Board navigates a 'transitionary period'
