§ 143-151.75.  Endorsement for proposed tall buildings or structures required.

(a) No person shall undertake construction of a tall building or structure in any area surrounding a major military installation in this State without either first obtaining the endorsement from the State Construction Office or proof of the State Construction Office's failure to act within the time allowed.

(b) A person seeking endorsement for a proposed tall building or structure in any area surrounding a major military installation in this State shall provide written notice of the intent to seek endorsement to the base commander of the major military installation that is located within five miles of the proposed tall building or structure and shall provide all of the following to the State Construction Office:

(1) Identification of the major military installation and the base commander of the installation that is located within five miles of the proposed tall building or structure.

(2) A copy of the written notice sent to the base commander of the installation identified in subdivision (1) of this subsection that is located within five miles of the proposed tall building or structure.

(3) A written "Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation" issued by the Federal Aviation Administration pursuant to Subpart D of Part 77 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (January 1, 2012, Edition) for the proposed tall building or structure.

(c) After receipt of the information provided by the applicant pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the State Construction Office shall, in writing, request a written statement concerning the proposed tall building or structure from the base commander of the major military installation identified in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section. The State Construction Office shall request that the following information be included in the written statement from the base commander:

(1) A determination whether the location of the proposed tall building or structure is within a protected area that surrounds the installation.

(2) A determination whether any activities of the installation may be adversely affected by the proposed tall building or structure. A detailed description of the potential adverse effects, including frequency disturbances and physical obstructions, shall accompany the determination required by this subdivision.

(d) The State Construction Office shall not endorse a tall building or structure if the State Construction Office finds any one or more of the following:

(1) The proposed tall building or structure would encroach upon or otherwise interfere with the mission, training, or operations of any major military installation in North Carolina and result in a detriment to continued military presence in the State. In its evaluation, the State Construction Office may consider whether the proposed tall building or structure would cause interference with air navigation routes, air traffic control areas, military training routes, or radar based on the written statement received from a base commander as provided in subsection (c) of this section and written comments received by members of affected communities. Provided, however, if the State Construction Office does not receive a written statement requested pursuant to subsection (c) of this section within 45 days of issuance of the request to the base commander, the State Construction Office shall deem the tall building or structure as endorsed by the base commander.

(2) The State Construction Office is not in receipt of the written "Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation" issued to the person by the Federal Aviation Administration required pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of this section.

(e) The State Construction Office shall make a final decision on the request for endorsement of a tall building or structure within 90 days from the date on which the State Construction Office requested the written statement from the base commander of the major military installation identified in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section. If the State Construction Office determines that a request for a tall building or structure fails to meet the requirements for endorsement under this section, the State Construction Office shall deny the request. The State Construction Office shall notify the person of the denial, and the notice shall include a written statement of the reasons for the denial. If the State Construction Office fails to act within any time period set forth in this section, the person may treat the failure to act as a decision to endorse the tall building or structure.

(f) The State Construction Office may meet by telephone, video, or Internet conference, so long as consistent with applicable law regarding public meetings, to make a decision on a request for endorsement for a tall building or structure pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. (2013-206, s. 1; 2014-79, s. 4.)