Pender County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pender County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Saw Dust Laydown Yard and Office Space project
A major site development plan for a sawdust laydown yard and office space is scheduled for technical review. Details on location and scale will be presented by staff at the meeting.
Cemetery Identification and Protection
The county manager was set to lead a discussion on how Pender County identifies and protects cemeteries — a concern for families with historic family burial grounds on rural land.
Abbey Nature Preserve trailhead — $500,000 PARTF grant
The board was scheduled to accept a $500,000 state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund matching grant plus a budget amendment to build a trailhead at the Abbey Nature Preserve.
DSS funding for federal H.R. 1 implementation
The county was slated to accept $254,546.89 to cover extra social services administrative costs tied to federal Medicaid eligibility changes under H.R. 1.
Solid waste enforcement
A new solid waste enforcement officer position would be funded at $65,701 from the solid waste fund balance to step up code enforcement.
Topsail Township rezone to Office and Institutional
A property owner wants to rezone roughly a quarter-acre to open a specialty trade contractor office. It's a small commercial land-use change, but nearby residents may care about what kinds of business activity move in next door.
Topsail Township commercial rezone of 0.31-acre parcel
An 11.36-acre portion of three tracts could shift from planned development and residential performance zoning to General Business, opening the door to commercial uses near Topsail residents.
Maple Hill Postal Service Operations
A resolution was on the agenda supporting continued USPS operations in Maple Hill, a rural community whose post office is a lifeline for residents.
Opioid Settlement Funds Spending
Three consent items direct about $487,000 in opioid settlement money toward year three of the Health Opioid Coordinator, the Sheriff's DARE program, and Coastal Horizons' PORT recovery program.
Candidates Forum
Local Pender County candidates recently faced off at a forum to debate major issues like school funding, board drama, and how to bring the community together. It's a quick look at where everyone stands before you cast your ballot.
Commissioner Appointment Dispute
Pender County is caught in a messy legal battle over a disputed commissioner appointment, and critics say the whole process was completely botched. This political drama could seriously shake up who’s running the local show.
Maple Hill park and school building needs
Maple Hill was slated to see two investments: $308,713 in infrastructure improvements through Kimley-Horn and capital project funding for the Maple Hill Playground (paired with Long Creek Community Park).
Solid Waste Collection Allowed in Environmental Conservation District
A zoning text amendment would let public solid waste collection facilities operate in the Environmental Conservation district — deciding where waste-related uses can and can't go in Pender County.
Topsail Township Rezone from Residential to General Business
A small 0.31-acre parcel in Topsail Township was up for rezoning from Residential Performance to General Business, which would allow commercial uses. No outcome is on record.
8 PM Public Hearings: Special Use Permits and Zoning Map Amendments
The board was scheduled to hold public hearings at 8 PM on special use permits, zoning map amendments, and resolutions. These hearings directly shape what can be built where — but the specific applications are not identified in the available materials.
Courthouse Square safety hazard
Fennel reported holes in Burgaw's Courthouse Square causing falls and ankle injuries. Sawyer confirmed it's the county's responsibility and Parks & Recreation is assessing repairs.
Water supply purchase orders
The county committed $900,000 across three suppliers to keep water meters flowing — 800-900 meters are installed or replaced each year.
Athletic field lighting final phase
$1.6 million to finish lighting the county's six oldest ballfields, tying all fields into one modern system. Installation could start in late October.
High Hazard burn designation
Pender is now a High Hazard County — burn permits are required year-round within 500 feet of brush.
County fund balance use
The county has $68.6 million in fund balance, which drops to about $48 million after planned uses. Commissioners discussed whether to use some of it — one time — to help the schools.
2026 Personnel Policy changes
New policy folds volunteer, bereavement, and mental health leave into PTO, ends banking holidays worked, and incorporates Fire/EMS shifts — with on-call pay and EMS pay to be revisited.
Litigation Legal Coverage
Pender County just caught a break: a state association reversed course and will now pay the county’s legal bills in the Post & Voice lawsuit. That means local taxpayers may avoid footing the bill for a costly court fight.
Hotels in Industrial Districts
A text amendment would add hotels and motels as permitted uses in the Industrial Transitional and General Industrial districts. That could open more land countywide to lodging development.
Potential Tree Ordinance Changes
Commissioners want to curb clear-cutting that leaves land bare for years, expand tree mitigation to residential developments, and hold developers responsible for replacement trees that die. Changes will go through the Planning Board before any vote.
UNCW Medical School Support
The county formally backed UNC Wilmington's proposed medical school, which could bring medical training and healthcare jobs to the region.
Child Care Assistance Prioritization
The county adopted a policy setting the order in which families get subsidized child care funds; it passed 3-1.
Countywide salary study and career development plans
The county studied pay for every position against 26 surrounding counties and built career development plans for each department. The findings will shape how much the county spends on compensation next year.
Cape Fear Community College request
CFCC wants $782,229 from the county, with the bulk going to a $650,000 roof replacement at the Burgaw campus.
Youth services librarian for the new library
The library is asking for a youth services librarian to staff the new library building — a sign the long-awaited facility is getting closer.
Solid waste: Montague Station and Transfer Station up-fit
The board picked the FEMA property option (about $337,000) to replace the Montague convenience site, rejecting a pricier Long Creek park share or expanded hours elsewhere. Details and a budget amendment come back April 20.
Housing department property manager for Seven Oaks
Housing wants one property manager to oversee Seven Oaks so the director can handle broader responsibilities — a small ask with direct effects on county housing operations.
Farmers and artisan markets text amendment
The county wants to let farmers and artisan markets run up to eight months in almost any zoning district, instead of the current 60-day limit in a handful of districts. Board members like the idea for local farmers but warned about loopholes — concerts, food trucks, big tent operations near neighborhoods — and want tight definitions before voting.
Outside agency and nonprofit funding requests
A dozen-plus agencies and nonprofits — from Pender Adult Services ($422,455) to the Arts Council ($10,000) — pitched the county for next year's funding. Collectively these dollars support seniors, veterans, food assistance, arts, history, and youth programs countywide.
State-Required Traffic Signal at New DHHS Building
The county must install a stoplight at the 117 bypass and US 117 business as a condition of the new DHHS building, but a $56,340 design contract failed 3-2. The county could be stuck — NCDOT is requiring it.
Station 9 Fire Protection System
The new EMS & Fire Station 9 was built without code-required sprinklers; commissioners approved $98,561 to fix it.
Cape Fear Elementary/Middle School Emergency Chiller
The county is sending $256,065 to the school system for an emergency chiller at Cape Fear Elementary/Middle — a quick fix to keep classrooms cool.
Rear Setback Variance for Manufactured Home
A request to let a manufactured home sit 19.37 feet into a required 30-foot rear setback — essentially asking to build much closer to the rear property line than zoning normally allows.
Freestanding Sign Height Variance
A variance request would more than double the allowed height of a freestanding sign, from 25 feet to 50 feet — a change in the visual landscape wherever the sign would stand.
Variance Case VAR 2026-27
A variance request was scheduled for public hearing before the Board of Adjustment. Variances let property owners seek relief from specific zoning rules; the outcome isn't recorded in the available materials.
US 17 and Royal Tern Drive safety improvements
The county formally backed a state-funded concrete median and northbound U-turn signal at the US 17 and Royal Tern Drive intersection — a safety upgrade for a busy corridor.
Penderlea gym HVAC failure
The 20-year-old heat pump at the Penderlea gym died, and the board approved a $46,000 Trane replacement that should be installed within three to four weeks.
Rocky Point rezone from commercial to residential zoning
A 9.79-acre tract in Rocky Point could shift from General Business to Residential Performance zoning. That would rule out future commercial use on the parcel and open the door for homes instead.
Holly Ridge annexation
Several residents pushed back on Holly Ridge's annexation, and Chairman Burton asked for more information on it.
Kiwanis Park security and splash pad requests
Vandalism at Hampstead Kiwanis Park (about $4,000 in damage) prompted a 4-1 vote for security upgrades. Resident after resident asked the county for a splash pad and reuse of the old park equipment.
Central Pender Park delays and sewer design failure
The park is nearly done — expected by end of January — but the engineered sewer system won't work, and the engineering firm is redesigning it at no cost. A related budget amendment was pushed to Jan. 20.
Walker/Wilmington Street intersection widening
The county handed NCDOT the land and easements it needs to widen the busy Burgaw intersection — with the new Town sign protected.
Utility Disconnections
Pender County water shutoffs for overdue accounts are officially back in action this month. If you're behind on your bill, you need to pay up now or risk losing your service.
Farmland Preservation
Pender County is rushing to figure out how to save its local farms before rapid development swallows them all up. Local leaders are looking at new zoning rules to protect agricultural land and shape the county's future.
Personnel Termination
Pender County's staff attorney got the boot after just a short time on the job when problems with the State Bar came to light. This messy shakeup really makes you wonder how the county checks out its top lawyers before hiring them.
Bridge Maintenance
Get ready for a headache on your daily drive because a local bridge in Pender County is closing down for maintenance. Expect detours and slower commutes while crews knock out the repairs.