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 nonprofit that trains service dogs for veterans wanted C-3 commercial zoning on 3.87 acres, but the Planning Board and land use plan said no. The Board denied it as filed but unanimously ordered a text amendment so a C-5 version can come back in two to four months.
Certificates of Appropriateness for Three Historic Properties
Property owners in the historic districts need a certificate of appropriateness before changing building exteriors. This batch covers porches, decks, sunscreens, an outdoor bar, and two demolition-and-rebuild infill houses.
Updates to Historic District Design Principles and Standards
The Riverside Historic District inventory is 38 years old, leaving 70-80 eligible structures unprotected from demolition. The board authorized a CLG grant application, and staff continues revising HPC guidelines toward a July target.
Clarifying and Revising Purchasing Conditions for Salable Lots
The Property Sales and Marketing workgroups were to discuss revising purchasing conditions and adding signage to lots the city wants to sell.
Disposition of Redevelopment Parcels (First Avenue, Mechanic Street, Bloomfield Street, Sampson Street)
The commission was scheduled to consider bids from two buyers for four vacant lots in the redevelopment area. Selling these parcels could put them back on the tax rolls and into productive use, but the outcome of the vote is unknown.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Avenues Project
The Housing workgroup was to discuss the Avenues Project and how brownfields grant money could be used.
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
The commission tracks formal violations and long-running demolition-by-neglect cases, including 221 E. Front St., a case dating back decades. Enforcement aims to keep historic buildings from deteriorating beyond repair.
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.
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.
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.
Redevelopment Commission Shrinkage and Appointment
The commission is without a permanent director; the staff report noted the selection process is expected to begin soon, with commissioners weighing their role in it.
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.
Executive Director Selection
Staff was to update the commission on the search for a Redevelopment Commission Executive Director.
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.
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.
Electric Fund rates and staffing
Three aldermen will join a working group hiring a consultant to examine whether the city should keep growing its grid, stay in NCEMPA, or partner with Duke — with nothing off the table, including getting out of the electric business.