Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in New Bern, NC public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
Trent Court redevelopment adjacent to MSD
The Housing Authority approved a contractor to demolish Trent Court (13 buildings), the first step in an eight-year, roughly $100 million rebuild of 440 affordable housing units nearby, with green space and phased construction starting with fencing in December.
Municipal Service District projects
TDA reported $188 million in visitor spending, 1,300+ jobs, and growth outpacing the state average. Downtown is the anchor of the county's tourism economy, and the TDA offered to partner on future MSD projects.
Paws of War Eastern NC dog training permit
The city wants clear rules on where dog training and boarding businesses can operate. The amendment would define indoor and outdoor dog training, replace the kennel definition with boarding, and allow indoor boarding as a special use in C-5, C-4, and C-6 commercial districts.
Children's Museum of New Bern entrance renovation
The Children's Museum is converting the old firehouse side entrance into a glass-and-aluminum storefront, aiming for a December opening. The city owns the building; the museum leases it.
Election Updates
Early voting for the Statewide General Election is happening now through October 31. Heads up that there are new traffic patterns at the Board of Elections office, so plan accordingly and don't forget your photo ID!
Data Centers
Staff is drafting definitions and permissible-use rules for data centers and crypto mining facilities, aiming to bring clarity before any proposal arrives. The uses would be directed to industrial-type districts, not residential neighborhoods.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
The board is exploring whether to allow ADUs — small second dwellings like garage apartments or mother-in-law suites — on single-family lots. Residents ask about them a couple times a month, mostly to house elderly parents or adult children, but members worry about rentals, short-term rentals, enforcement, and historic district compatibility. Staff will draft language and the board will flag its top concerns.
Adding 722 Third Ave to Sellable Lots List
Marvin Berry asked the commission to put the vacant lot next door at 722 Third Avenue on its sellable lots list. That would open it up for purchase by private buyers. No decision is confirmed.
Yellow Creek Enterprise Property Requests and Upset Bids
The board was scheduled to consider selling five city-owned lots: 1407 Lincoln Street, 1503 Garden Street, 703 W B Street, 1103 Biddle Street and 1131 H Street, plus a deed with Habitat for Humanity for 2208 Hartford Avenue.
Properties Sold After Upset Bid Process
An upset bid came in on the Mechanic Street property at the request of Agape Adams. The commission was to accept or reject the bid resolution — no outcome is known.
Trash and recycling service in the redevelopment area
Commissioners say one trash can and one monthly recycle pickup isn't enough for multigenerational households, and wind-blown trash is a persistent problem. They plan to raise it with city department heads.
Carolina Colours Aston Cluster Subdivision – Phase I Streets
The city was scheduled to take over ownership and maintenance of streets in the new Aston Cluster subdivision, plus add stop intersections and speed limits there. The city shoulders maintenance; residents gain enforceable traffic rules.
Government Transparency
Local media is calling out New Bern's Board of Aldermen for being sketchy about how they communicate and make decisions. This matters because you deserve to know how your city government is actually running things behind closed doors.
City Strategic Plan
The city's draft strategic plan includes 33 initiatives across five focus areas, headed for public surveys and community input sessions before a final plan.
$24 Million General Obligation Bond Projects
The first of the voter-approved bond paving projects starts this week with S.T. Wooten at $870,165.75.
Schedule of Fees and Charges Amendment
An ordinance amending the city's schedule of fees and charges was scheduled — could change what residents pay for various city services.
HPC Member Terms Expiring
County Commission Chairman Denny Bucher told the board the unelected HPC is 'out of control,' citing $342,000 in extra costs on the Sedan parking lot project, and urged guardrails or outright abolition.
2027 Meeting Schedule and Turnaround Times
City administration wants projects cleared at design review to wait until the next month's regular meeting instead of two weeks, citing staff workload. Commissioners pushed back, worried about delays applicants already complain about.
Formal violation at 215 Pollock St.
A modern metal roof installed without a certificate of appropriateness, with a stop work order violated back in 2019. The city attorney is currently pausing the lawsuit to let the owner pursue the contractor.
Historic preservation awards program
Nominations are open for the city's historic preservation awards and close September 30. The chair urged anyone considering a nomination to submit one soon.
Grove Street to Elizabeth Avenue Drainage Shift
The stalled Grove Street pump project's $207,655 in Golden LEAF money is going to the Elizabeth Avenue drainage project instead. Alderman Bryant spoke up for the Duffyfield/Grove Street neighbors who've flooded for years and wants the city to keep hunting money for them.
Homelessness and Downtown Bench Dividers
Approval of $3,000 in more bench dividers sparked a real conversation: Aldermen White and Best questioned whether dividers disadvantage unhoused people, and staff acknowledged there's no daytime shelter option. Expect the city to work with RCS on ideas.
Vehicles for hire ordinance
Trolleys, pedicabs and horse-drawn carriages get a modern rulebook replacing the dead 1970s taxi ordinance — including where booze-cruise pedal bikes can operate. Critics warned of safety hazards and bad optics; supporters said guardrails beat the free-for-all that exists now.
FY2027 budget amendments and grant funds
A budget ordinance amendment for FY2027 and five fund amendments covering electric, grants, drainage and pier projects were on the docket.
Rock quarry water rules at Brice's Creek
After two dolphins died with apparent boat-strike injuries, the city is formally asking the state to make no-wake rules at the quarry. The state will only justify buoys at the canal entrance, not inside the quarry — residents want more marking.
East Front Street historic property alterations
Two contributing historic properties at 524 and 411 E. Front St. were up for design review — a remodel of an accessory building and additions to a house and garage. The decisions affect how much historic character in the Tertiary AVC district is preserved as owners update their properties.
St. Paul School Annex expansion
St. Paul Catholic Parish wants to expand its existing school on 18.91 acres along Country Club Road. A public hearing was set for neighbors to weigh in.
Family entertainment venue feasibility
A consultant's market study says New Bern could support a 30,000-square-foot indoor family entertainment venue with food and drink. The report is posted online for the public.
Roadway fund boost
An extra $780,000 goes into the Roadway Improvements Project Fund from vehicle fees and the Streets Division budget.
September 8 rezoning hearings
Three rezonings — 922 Pollock Street, three MLK Jr. Boulevard parcels, and 1822 S. Glenburnie Road — head to a public hearing, mostly to fix split zoning. Residents can weigh in on September 8.
Highway safety grants for police
The police department gets $50,000 in state grants — no city match — for safety campaigns like Click It or Ticket and officer overtime.
Dayspring Christian Academy special use permit
Dayspring Ministries wants to open an elementary and secondary school on 2.08 acres in a C-3 zoned area, which requires a special use permit from the Board of Adjustment. The hearing would weigh traffic, facility, and neighborhood impacts of the school use. What the board decided is not on record.
Neuse Boulevard commercial rezonings
Six split-zoned parcels along Neuse Boulevard were unified to C-3 Commercial, and part of a vacant industrial parcel was rezoned too — though staff scaled back after Kings Row residents complained. Property owners consented and the Planning Board recommended it unanimously.
201 Ellington Street rezoning
A small residential lot near Ellington Street could shift to commercial zoning, changing what can be built next door to residents.
Minor Works list revisions
The commission is discussing updates to its standards and potential new Minor Work categories — the kinds of projects homeowners can do without a full commission hearing. Changes here could make small exterior projects faster and easier for historic-district residents.
Minor Works List Additions
The Commission considered updating its Minor Work list — revising 'Landscaping' to 'Landscaping and Hardscaping,' adding street furniture, kiosks and trash receptacles, and adding playgrounds and play equipment. These changes decide which small projects owners can do without a full review.
Galloway Road Sewer Extension
A 72-acre parcel outside the city limits gets city sewer for a five-lot subdivision, with annexation expected to follow soon.
Refreshing Lives Church special use permit
Refreshing Lives Church, LLC is asking the board for a special use permit to operate a church in Units C/D at 4110 M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard. The board's decision determines whether the congregation can use the commercial-zoned space for worship.
Abandoned vessels in city waterways
A new ordinance would give the city authority to remove and dispose of abandoned boats in the Neuse and Trent waterways.
Commercial zoning for 4095 E US 70 Hwy
The board was scheduled to hold a public hearing on initial C-3 Commercial zoning for a property along the US 70 corridor. What gets built there depends on how the zoning lands.
Unpermitted window alterations at 306 Metcalf St.
Windows were installed without a certificate of appropriateness and don't meet standards, following an October 2024 complaint. A notice of violation letter was expected to go out soon.
710 New St. demolition and infill
Two vacant lots at 717 and 719 New Street are slated for new one-and-a-half-story houses. The commission was scheduled to hold hearings on whether the designs fit the historic district's character before any construction can move forward.
COA application backlog
Zero new minor COA applications came in that month, but 24 applications are sitting waiting for information from applicants — a sign the pipeline is clogged on the applicant side, which can slow down home and business improvement projects in the districts.
New parking lot and restroom-screening structure at 400 E. Front St.
A vacant parcel at 400 E. Front Street was the subject of a hearing for a new parking lot and a small accessory structure to screen portable restrooms. In a gateway block of the historic district, parking lot design and screening matter to the streetscape. No outcome could be confirmed because no meeting record was provided.
Tryon Palace fencing and lighting changes along Eden Street
Tryon Palace sought historic-district approval to remove chain link fencing and hedges and replace them with a low wall and metal fencing along the northern end of Eden Street, plus new light fixtures. The look of this prominent museum-adjacent block would change noticeably for pedestrians and neighbors. What the commission decided could not be verified because no meeting record was available.
Downtown sound system
The MSD advisory committee was scheduled to hear a proposal for a downtown sound system from Stonehaven Sight & Sound. Such a system could serve downtown events and announcements, and any funding would likely come from municipal service district revenues paid by downtown property owners.
Brownfields Grant and CDBG Activities
New Bern gets $240,314 in federal CDBG money — about $20,000 less than last year — mostly for streets and sidewalks in low-to-moderate income areas, plus roof replacements and utility assistance.
E Street Renamed Leroy Way Jr. Avenue
Duffyfield's E Street now honors Leroy Way Jr., a teacher, coach, and affordable-housing advocate who died in 2022. Nearly all street property owners signed a petition supporting it.
Barbecue Festival and City Process Complaints
Bear-B-Q founder John Herrin told the Board the city's event permitting process is 'broken' — including a Public Works crew showing up to block an easement mid-festival — and said the city manager ignored a promised follow-up visit.
Blue Water Rise Streets, Safety, and Theft Concerns
The city formally took over Blue Water Rise streets with new stop and speed rules — and Alderman Aster asked for extra night patrols after reports of petty theft in the neighborhood.