Pender County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pender County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Large-scale residential rezonings (REZONE 2026-99 and 2026-100)
Two rezoning requests totaling over 1,950 new homes — one 1,023-home subdivision in Long Creek Township and one 930-home 55+ community in Topsail Township — were set for public hearings. Together they could significantly reshape traffic, schools, and services in those areas.
Topsail Township Wastewater Treatment Facility Rezoning
Two linked public hearings were scheduled on a proposal to rezone about 32 acres in Topsail Township for a wastewater treatment facility and revise the related special use permit. This could open the door for expanded development capacity in the Topsail area.
Commercial rezoning in Topsail Township
Two linked public hearings were scheduled on a proposal to rezone about 32 acres in Topsail Township for a wastewater treatment facility and revise the related special use permit. This could open the door for expanded development capacity in the Topsail area.
Appeals of development approvals (Appeal 2026-18)
The board was scheduled to hold a public hearing on Appeal 2026-18, an appeal of an administrative decision. This matters to anyone who thinks a county development approval was wrongly made — the appeal process is how neighbors challenge it. The June session showed the board applying a strict state-law standing test before hearing the merits.
Salty Acres operations dispute
The operator of Salty Acres has appealed the Board of Appeals decision. The county attorney offered to seek an injunction this week to require the operator to cease operations, and the chairman said neighbors need relief.
Commissioner District Redistricting
Eight residents showed up to comment on the plan to redraw commissioner districts, but the vote got tabled because the county manager was out sick. Expect it back at a future meeting.
Appeal 2025-15 — Appeal of an Administrative Decision
An appeal of a county administrative decision was scheduled for a public hearing after being continued from November, when the owner's attorney argued a four-member board couldn't deliver a fair vote. The outcome matters to whoever requested the appeal and to county staff whose decision is being challenged.