Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pender County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with high priority
Point South Apartments — 252-unit multifamily development off U.S. 17
A 252-unit apartment complex with a clubhouse, pool, and multi-use field is proposed on about 12 acres along U.S. 17 in Topsail Township. The technical review is a checkpoint where county staff flag road, utility, drainage, and safety issues before the plan advances.
Infrastructure and Controlled Growth Initiative
The county rolled out its 20-year plan framework for water, sewer, and growth — with public surveys, community meetings, and a baseline report due by late December. The board is being asked for feedback, a liaison, and direction on engineering capacity.
Large-Scale Residential Development in Long Creek Township
The 1,023-home proposal was tabled to November 2, so residents will have another chance to weigh in.
Water and Sewer Infrastructure Investments
The board authorized the $4.3 million grant application for the first phase of bringing treated water to western Pender County, from Highway 11 to the Sampson County line. Residents have waited years and want updates every meeting.
Cemetery Identification and Protection
A neighbor of the damaged historic cemetery asked the county to document family cemeteries in GIS and create safeguards so development never disturbs graves again. The county found gravestones were disturbed during development but damaged years earlier; a preservation discussion item is coming next meeting.
Maple Hill Postal Service Operations
USPS is shifting Maple Hill's post office operations to Burgaw, forcing a 40-mile round trip for seniors, fixed-income families, and residents who depend on mail for medications. The board adopted a resolution of support and is working federal contacts.
Water Service Concerns
Residents keep complaining about water quality and billing from the private utility Carolina Water; Commissioner Burns wants a community meeting so residents can at least be pointed toward help, possibly the state Utilities Commission.
Proposed 930-home 55+ community in Topsail Township
A 404-acre age-restricted community was approved despite a split planning board recommendation. Supporters say it boosts tax revenue with little school or traffic impact; opponents worried about density.
Health and DSS budget impacts from state and federal cuts
The county accepted $254,546.89 to handle doubled Medicaid recertifications and new work requirements taking effect January 2027.
RV park and campground special use permit (SUP 2026-58)
A 236-site RV park and campground was proposed for Holly Township and set for a public hearing. Neighbors may weigh tourism and recreation benefits against traffic and noise concerns.
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.
236-Lot RV Park and Campground in Holly Township
A quasi-judicial hearing produced sworn testimony on flood-zone fill, road access and 180-day stay limits. Neighbors warned the 180-day cap effectively allows year-round residency; the board added conditions on dual access points.
Point South Master Development Plan revision
The developer of the Wyndwater community in Topsail Township asked the county to revise its master development plan. Changes to a master plan can shape how many homes and what types of uses go into a large development, affecting traffic, infrastructure, and neighborhood character.
Wyndwater commercial expansion along US 17
The Wyndwater development can now add more commercial uses (including fast food, gas stations, and drinking places) along its US 17 frontage, raising resident concerns about traffic — about 6,300 new daily trips — and neighborhood impacts like dumpsters near homes.
Surveillance Technology Ban
Pender County just became the first place in North Carolina to completely outlaw automated license plate readers. It's a huge test case for balancing everyday privacy against modern police surveillance.
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.
Bus Driver Shortage and Transportation
The district needs 90 drivers to run 90 buses and often falls short. Radios, cloud cameras and lockboxes improved safety, but recruiting stays tough given split-shift hours and benefit limits.
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.
Well Filtration and Water Infrastructure Investments
Several big water and sewer items were on the agenda: a $1.17 million well filtration contract, grant paperwork for the West Pender Water Project, updated system specifications, and Topsail Township sewer facility hearings.
Hampstead wastewater capacity and Pluris expansion
The board approved a second Pluris wastewater plant off Hoover Road, rezoning 32 acres for a 1.5 million-gallon-per-day facility serving up to about 7,500 homes and businesses. Some commissioners wanted capacity closer to the original 3 MGD permit, worrying a smaller plant will hamstring East Pender growth.
CFCC Burgaw building roof leaks
A Pender Early College teacher said the leaky roof at the CFCC Burgaw building has gone unfixed for three years despite state repair funds available with a county match. The chairman asked that it be included in next year's budget.
Rural Public Transit Funding (PAS-TRAN)
Pender Adult Services' transit program is the county's only local public transportation, providing over 21,000 rides last year including 1,811 wheelchair-accessible trips. The board was scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider a $165,908.10 local match to keep it running.
Tax bill printing error
Roughly 2,219 property tax bills went out with wrong amounts after a software rollback issue tied to Senate Bill 889's schedule-of-values requirement. Corrected bills should mail within days, but commissioners are demanding a deeper look.
Government Fraud and Cybersecurity
Commissioner Tate pressed for an audit update, saying citizens have been calling him, and asked for a public update at the next meeting.
Failure to reach a quorum blocks county business
Only two of four commissioners showed up, so nothing could be voted on — including the long-delayed appointment of Beth Burns to the county's largest district. Commissioner Tate accused absent members of a political no-show and called it an embarrassment to the county.
NC Capital Needs Based Grant / Tier Status
The county's largest water grant application is due Saturday and just needs a board vote — but there was no quorum to approve it. The county manager's team has been working on it and hopes for alternatives before the next meeting.
PAS-TRAN Public Transportation Funding
PAS-TRAN is the county's only public transportation service, providing 21,128 rides last year including 1,811 wheelchair trips. The board was asked to hold a hearing on and approve $165,908 in local match funding for federal grants that keep the buses running.
Tax Collection and Foreclosure
The tax office reported a 97.71% collection rate and 254 active foreclosures (down from 377 in 2023). Commissioners debated foreclosure practices and asked whether legal work could be done in-house to save money; details went to closed session.
EMS/Fire merger effective July 5
County staff were set to report that the July 2026 merger of fire and EMS services took effect without service interruption, but both divisions remain short-staffed — fire down 26 of 96 firefighters and EMS down 26 of 92 employees. Crews have been closing stations on occasion and working heavy overtime. The update was for information only, with no action requested.
Pender EMS & Fire Merger
County staff were set to report that the July 2026 merger of fire and EMS services took effect without service interruption, but both divisions remain short-staffed — fire down 26 of 96 firefighters and EMS down 26 of 92 employees. Crews have been closing stations on occasion and working heavy overtime. The update was for information only, with no action requested.
Emergency Services Merger — REDLG Obligations
The merger took effect July 5 with no service interruptions, but the county is short about 26 firefighters and 26 EMS workers, causing overtime, burnout, and occasional ambulance or firehouse shutdowns. New hires and recruit classes should help by late October.
Pelican Reef fatal crash and traffic safety
Commissioners raised speeding issues at Highway 133 in Little Kelly, a needed traffic light on Highway 117, and a fatal crash at Watts Landing Road and NC 210, which is slated for 2028 STIP improvements.
Combined County/School Fleet Garage
The proposed garage site near Rocky Point Elementary has cleared geotechnical and rezoning work, but the project needs school board commitment before the board will fund full design.
Vacant Board Seats Following Commissioner Brad George's Departure
The seat stayed empty after the board tabled the appointment over litigation challenging the local GOP's recommendation. Residents say the delay is unfair to the nominee and her family and want the party's decision respected.
Ambulance Fleet Replacement
The county bought five ambulances that were pre-ordered by the old Pender EMS & Fire board without county knowledge, plus tech upgrades. Several commissioners were frustrated by the surprise and the lack of competitive bids, but approved it because fleets are aging and new orders would take years.
Housing Voucher Program Shortfall
Two housing items were slated: a Project Based Voucher housing assistance contract and a resolution to cover a projected Housing Choice Voucher shortfall using the county's unrestricted net position. Together they address how the county keeps rental assistance flowing for lower-income residents.
Maple Hill Infrastructure Improvements
Kimley-Horn will design a replacement for the aged, unrepairable UV system at the Maple Hill wastewater plant and study stormwater infiltration into the closed collection system.
Residential growth in Topsail and Long Creek townships
Two rezoning requests together would add 104 townhomes and 85 single-family homes, affecting traffic, infrastructure, and neighborhood character. Residents in nearby communities have previously raised concerns about traffic, stormwater, and emergency access on similar projects.
355-home subdivision planned for Topsail Township
A developer is seeking approval of a Master Development Plan for a 355-lot single-family neighborhood across 147 acres in Topsail Township. Residents may weigh in on traffic, schools, and stormwater impacts at the hearing.
Wastewater plant siting near Castle Bay
A resident asked that the planned wastewater plant near Castle Bay be sited where it would be least disruptive to neighbors.
FY27 Water Treatment Chemical Contracts
Nearly $843,000 in fiscal year 2027 contracts for water treatment chemicals — ferric sulfate, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, aluminum sulfate, and activated carbon — were scheduled for approval. These keep the county's drinking water systems running.
Washington Acres water plant and sewer
Utilities Director James Proctor updated residents: land easement negotiations with Walmart for sewer access to Highway 210 are underway, NCDEQ review of the Mill Creek discharge is in progress, well-field bids are expected within 90 days, and service should be operational by late 2028 or early 2029.
Traffic congestion and road planning
Residents pressed officials on Country Club Road traffic, missing signage, timed lights, and how the new Hampstead Walmart will affect roads. Officials said roads are a state DOT responsibility and the county must lobby Raleigh; Vice Chairman George noted Pender is in District 3, receiving $31 million this year but less than usual due to the bypass funding.
Flock camera surveillance concerns
A resident asked what data flock cameras collect, who can access it, and warned the technology has been misused before. Chairman Burton said the Sheriff's Office uses them for safety; the resident remained skeptical.
Falls Mist subdivision traffic and drainage
A Rocky Point resident criticized the coming Falls Mist subdivision for lacking dedicated turn lanes despite adding about 500 cars, and for having no retention ponds. Planning staff said the project is under review with no DOT permit yet, and Chairman Burton noted the county can't deny by-right development.
Financial Fraud
A resident linked tax concerns to the county's vendor fraud. Manager Colby Sawyer clarified the ACH fraud involved utility dollars, not tax dollars; $250,000 has been recovered from insurance and the SBI is still investigating.
Road Construction
Residents pressed officials on Country Club Road traffic, missing signage, timed lights, and how the new Hampstead Walmart will affect roads. Officials said roads are a state DOT responsibility and the county must lobby Raleigh; Vice Chairman George noted Pender is in District 3, receiving $31 million this year but less than usual due to the bypass funding.
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.
Countywide physical security refresh
Phase 2 puts all county building security under one system for about $503,000; the price lock expires August 1.
Drought status and water conservation
Brunswick and New Hanover counties have water restrictions and Pender is one drought stage away from mandatory limits. Residents are being asked to cut daytime sprinkler use and fix leaks before D3 hits.