New Bern · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in New Bern, NC public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Epiphany School special-use permit (TK facility)
A private school wants to run a transitional kindergarten facility on a small residentially-zoned lot at 2211 Henderson Avenue. The special use permit decision affects what can operate in that R-6 neighborhood and how nearby residents are protected by conditions.
Rezoning of 1100 Pinetree Drive
A 3.87-acre residential parcel on Pinetree Drive could shift to commercial zoning, potentially bringing new commercial development to the area. The planning board weighs in first, but aldermen make the final call.
Certificates of Appropriateness for Three Historic Properties
The commission was scheduled to hold public hearings on three certificate-of-appropriateness requests, including an extensive amendment to an approved rear addition at 218 Pollock St. These decisions determine what exterior changes owners may make to contributing and non-contributing buildings in the historic district.
Updates to Historic District Design Principles and Standards
The commission was scheduled to receive information on updating the design standards that guide construction and renovations in New Bern's historic districts. Any changes would shape what homeowners and developers can build for years to come.
Clarifying and Revising Purchasing Conditions for Salable Lots
The Property Sales workgroup was set to discuss changes to the conditions the city attaches when selling redevelopment lots. These conditions affect how quickly buyers like Mr. Chapman can build.
Disposition of Redevelopment Parcels (First Avenue, Mechanic Street, Bloomfield Street, Sampson Street)
The commission was scheduled to consider bids for two city-owned lots in the redevelopment area — one requested by Torrance Chapman and one by Ed McGovern. Purchasing conditions attached to salable lots have been a sticking point, with buyers wanting faster turnaround to build homes.
Weyerhaeuser Rezoning and Development Agreement
A resolution was scheduled to call a public hearing on rezoning three Weyerhaeuser parcels — one to commercial, two to R-6 residential — and to approve a development agreement with Weyerhaeuser NR Company. This could set the stage for significant new growth.
FY27 Water and Sewer Improvements Project
A contract with Avolis Land Works, LLC was scheduled for the FY27 water and sewer improvements project — infrastructure work that keeps taps and flushes running reliably.
C-3 Commercial Rezoning of Two Agricultural Parcels
The board was scheduled to hold a public hearing and possibly adopt a rezoning of Tax Parcel IDs 8-210-044 and 8-210-23001 from agricultural to commercial use. What gets built there could shape traffic and neighborhood character.
Initial zoning of US 70 parcels as Commercial 3
Two newly annexed parcels totaling 5.86 acres along East US 70 would be zoned Commercial 3 (C-3), opening the door to commercial development on the highway corridor. What gets built there depends on this designation and later approvals.
Long-running demolition by neglect at 221 E. Front St.
One of the city's longest-running demolition-by-neglect cases, dating back to the 1990s or earlier. The update notes real progress: windows repaired and reinstalled, temporary roof covering along the parapet, and a two-story wood porch being rebuilt with exact replacement — plus a repointing COA application coming soon.
Demolition by neglect at 221 E. Front St.
A downtown building has been in demolition-by-neglect status since the 1990s. Slow but steady repairs continue — windows, roof covering, and a rebuilt two-story porch — with a repointing application expected soon.
Large-scale rezonings along US 70 / NC 43 corridors
Three Weyerhaeuser rezoning requests covering more than 1,200 acres could reshape the edge of New Bern with new commercial and residential development. What the board does here sets up the aldermen's final decisions.
Avenues Project
The Housing workgroup was scheduled to discuss the Avenues Project and how to use Brownfields grant funds — both aimed at housing and redevelopment in targeted neighborhoods.
922 Pollock Street rezoning
The city wants to rezone a tiny Habitat for Humanity-owned parcel on downtown Pollock Street from Commercial 5A to Commercial 4.
Avenues/Duffyfield affordable housing redevelopment
Residents are asking about closed streets (West Street, Fowler's Lane, East Rhodes), an insecure fence around a retention pond next to a daycare, and dilapidated housing. The workgroup wants more transparency and resident education from the city.
Three commercial rezonings
The board was scheduled to hold public hearings on rezonings at 922 Pollock Street, three Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard parcels, and 1822 S. Glenburnie Road. These could shape what gets built and what neighbors can expect along those corridors.
Demolition by neglect and enforcement cases
Five cases were removed from the List of Concern after review and unrequested improvements, per the administrator's report.
Demolition by neglect enforcement
The commission tracks buildings in the historic district whose owners are letting them deteriorate. The long-running case at 221 E. Front St. shows progress — windows, roofing, and porch work are underway — and the 726 Pollock St. case continues under a set timeline. These cases determine whether historic buildings are saved or lost.
Rezoning of 98.2 acres near Savoy Drive and NC Hwy 43
BPNC, LLC wants to rezone nearly 100 acres of farmland along the NC Hwy 43 corridor to Commercial 3, which would allow commercial development. The proposal was continued from July after the board asked for more time, so it's still an open question for neighbors along that corridor.
GO Bond stormwater projects underway
Eleven stormwater improvement projects move forward as the city manager is authorized to hire engineering firms for design and construction oversight.
General Obligation Bond sale, Series 2026
An update on the general obligation bond was on the agenda, with implications for capital projects and debt the city carries on taxpayers' behalf.
Redevelopment Commission Shrinkage and Appointment
The commission drops from 9 members to 7 after quorum problems, and Jameesha Harris wins the appointment — though the procedure vote split 5-2.
Duffyfield Stormwater Street Closures
Parts of Biddle Street, F Street, Fowlers Lane and K Street are being closed so drainage improvements can go in. Public Works says no private property loses access, and public meetings were held beforehand.
Open Burning Permits for Land Clearing
Smoke from land clearing on County Line Road drew complaints, and the Board considered pausing burn permits. The developer offered to use air-curtain equipment that cuts smoke dramatically, and the permit could be reissued with Fire Department monitoring.
Downtown Parking Changes
The plan to delete two-hour parking on the east side of Hancock Street was removed after neighbors filed a 37-signature petition citing seniors, residents without driveways, and safety. It will come back only after stakeholders are consulted.
Housing Authority / Habitat for Humanity Partnership
Staff was scheduled to discuss ongoing activity with the Housing Authority and Habitat for Humanity, including a correction that Habitat did not receive a New Market Tax Credit grant because the committee sought projects in the $5–10 million range.
Communication with redevelopment-area residents
A new public relations framework aims to raise the commission's visibility through local media partnerships, community events, and homeowner education seminars, with the goal of bringing displaced residents back to Duffyfield.
Executive Director Selection
Staff was to update the commission on the search for a Redevelopment Commission Executive Director.
Annexation and Commercial Development of 4095 E US 70 Hwy.
Two US 70 parcels owned by Magnolia Investors were annexed into the city (Ward 3) with a water/sewer agreement in hand; commercial development with about 5,150 gallons of daily water demand is planned.
Electric fund cash reserves flagged in audit
The electric fund budget jumps 8.5% with five new positions, and the Board restored the long-vacant Engineering Manager job 6-1 despite cash-reserve concerns. Electric rates are already rising, so residents should watch this closely.
Redevelopment Commission's Future
The board debated whether to keep the Redevelopment Commission, absorb its affordable-housing mission, or reset it with clearer goals. It postponed an appointment and will hold a joint meeting before deciding.
Firefly Café outdoor consumption permit
The Downtown Business Council wants a social district letting people carry drinks between downtown bars and restaurants during events. North Carolina's 68 existing districts have shown revenue gains, and the board told the City Attorney to draft a permit-based framework.
Demolition of historic houses at 710 New St. and 811 Pollock St.
Two separate requests would tear down historic two-story houses in the historic district and replace them with new two-story infill homes. These decisions determine how much of the district's original building fabric survives.
Changing city elections
The Board wants the General Assembly to move New Bern's elections to 2030 as a single nonpartisan plurality vote, saving roughly $90,000 and sharing county election costs — the current Board's terms would stretch to five years.
Shriner's Temple site redevelopment — parking lot amendment
Craven County is converting most of the former Sudan Temple at 403 E. Front St. into a parking lot, keeping only the monumental front entrance with new masonry, landscaping, lighting, and fencing. The commission approved the missing details but required traditional wood fencing rather than the proposed white vinyl.
Bloomfield Property Purchase
A resolution was scheduled for consideration to buy back the Bloomfield Properties. Whether it was approved is unknown.
Winter Storm Gianna response praised
City electric, public works, police and fire crews worked around the clock; only six outages affected 823 customers, briefly, and streets were cleared quickly.
Neuse Boulevard safety and BUILD grant
Over 700 crashes, 20 pedestrian crashes and 33 cyclist crashes in recent years along a two-mile stretch of Neuse Boulevard. The city is reapplying for roughly $19 million in federal BUILD funding — no local match required — for a possible road diet, sidewalks and bike lanes. Actual design comes only if the grant is awarded.
Alderman Pay Raise
New Bern is thinking about giving local aldermen a 7% pay raise. It's all about figuring out the right compensation for the folks running our city.