Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in New Bern, NC public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
38 issues with high priority
Pedestrian safety at downtown crossings
Members raised concerns about unclear pedestrian signals at Pollock/Middle and near Union Point. Staff are working on push-button signals with verbal commands near the courthouse and asked for feedback on new street signs on signal arms.
Inner Court parking lot reconstruction
The Inner Court parking lot will be rebuilt in three to four phases starting around early 2027, with monthly leaseholders temporarily moved to the Craven Street lot. Bid advertisement goes out this month.
Downtown policing and event security
Police logged nearly 2,000 MSD calls, mostly security checks and traffic stops; only 3% tie to the major bars. Members flagged thin police presence at the Halloween street event and the drone-mitigation/TFR success at Mumfest.
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.
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.
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 commission has finished collecting design-review comments and will start revising the standards that guide what property owners in New Bern's historic districts can build. The revised standards will go to the Planning and Zoning board next.
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.
Avenues Project
The Housing Authority bought 721 and 703 First Avenue for $63,000 to build four townhomes and two single-family rentals with a park. The commission extended the affordability covenant from five to fifteen years so the homes stay income-restricted long term.
Housing Authority / Habitat for Humanity Partnership
Habitat wants to buy nine commission properties at a reduced price and build three houses at a time. The commission put eight lots on the sellable list, effectively setting aside its own earlier development plans for those streets.
Disposition of Redevelopment Parcels (First Avenue, Mechanic Street, Bloomfield Street, Sampson Street)
Agape Adams and Yellow Creek both plan homes in a 100-year floodplain, raising homes 8.5 feet with tiered grading. Commissioners flagged runoff concerns for neighbors and tabled the Mechanic Street bid until drawings arrive.
Communication with redevelopment-area residents
Commissioners were asked to lead community conversations so residents understand what's happening with redevelopment and don't fear being pushed out. A face-to-face session, possibly tied to the January retreat, is being considered.
Duffyfield Stormwater Street Closures
The stormwater project covering 59 acres won Stormwater Project of the Year from the NC chapter of the American Public Works Association. Commissioners still flagged safety concerns near the daycare center.
Water and Sewer Infrastructure Replacement
Aging water and sewer lines in the DeGraffenried Hart neighborhood will be replaced by a local contractor for $659,665.
Revenue Bond Financing
The city is laying groundwork for a big electric infrastructure push — new Southeast substation, Glenburnie transformer replacements — financed by revenue bonds up to $31 million. Engineering had to start before financing, so tonight's votes keep the plan moving.
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.
Feral Cat Management
New Bern is weighing how to address feral cat colonies that nuisance neighborhoods, with consultants recommending a community-wide census before spending on remedies like TNR and spay-neuter clinics. Ordinance changes may clarify that TNR volunteers aren't cited for releasing sterilized cats.
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 and enforcement cases
Commissioners voiced frustration that demolition-by-neglect cases can drag on for years — one East Front Street case has run 30 years. They discussed ways to speed things up, including coordinating with the city's nuisance abatement and minimum housing programs and reviewing the enforcement flowchart.
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
The Craven County MPO outlined the NC 43 Connector's history — started in 1993, construction began 2025, completion estimated 2028 — and its purpose: economic development, freight routing off Glenburnie Road, and a new US 17 to US 70 link with an interchange at US 70.
Greenbrier stormwater drainage capacity
Residents testified the Greenbrier drainage system already strains: two pumps that fail during storms discharge onto the highway roadside with no drains, and clearing 700+ acres of forest sponge would send vastly more runoff toward ditches, the Trent River, and flooding-prone homes.
Demolition by neglect enforcement
No neglect cases were resolved this month, but the review group keeps meeting monthly and covers roughly 25 to 30 properties. Some progress has been made since the last meeting that will be reported next month.
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.
Manufactured homes in the Redevelopment District
Staff studied whether single-wide manufactured homes could be allowed in the RDC zone as an affordable homeownership option. They found most lots are too small, floodplain elevation could add $30,000 to an $80,000 home, and state law bars age restrictions on homes — so it's harder than it sounded. No vote yet.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.