[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6191840,"mediaKeyId","4407784-382799d1b7c29aed7008d564e55f3748","parentId",4407784,"title","Planning board recommends approval of Weyerhaeuser mega-site land-use change and rezoning after lengthy public comment","audioSeconds",7931,"startMs",2087109,"endMs",10018430,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4407784-382799d1b7c29aed7008d564e55f3748&start=2087&end=10018","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4407784-382799d1b7c29aed7008d564e55f3748/thumbnail_2087109.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191840/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Planning-board-recommends-approval-of-Weyerhaeuser-mega-site-land-use-change-and-rezoning-after-lengthy-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191840-5e081cd74c8ba00058405996456c145f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773552388&Signature=aflnk8LSpNi01KHbXWjHAiKApgQVx9IJEGAwEp5alGtQ31DQL1Z0Y9N7Jp0r9lsIzxT2kTxVyXEsOJdAt1sZoarH8htpOiyzTOIraaXSmm~Ot1Dt21Gx8RfRz0vMPN7jJdZRWwH8f4a~KLJrVpZxLIDo2bws0P7tDFcVqEkANL4eVkM2qw8erCLCp3bLF5~~K~NFD3k6M9c~3--Z4LtcnIB7U1eu8JaoRiM4q74rK7~kdrmEGxT6JBtfKtSZ3xISRJrFQbDe8IJo8ZAVj7IUnOmp4iMvAKKiHCbbz0BpWhYt59mfK4CakJP3ZLVLCIu-9QRZge3Jk7upii5cf-u6mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pitt County, NC","date","2025-06-20T12:22:00.613Z","article","The Pitt County Planning Board voted to recommend approval of a land-use map amendment and rezoning request from the Weyerhaeuser Company that would redesignate and rezone about 3,319.59 acres as an employment/industrial site and to establish a conservation-area overlay along portions of the property.

Planning staff presented the request as concurrent land-use and zoning actions intended to make the property viable as a potential 1,000-acre “mega site” suitable for large-scale industrial development. The staff presentation said the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) had identified the Weyerhaeuser site as one of seven potential mega sites in the state. Planning staff said approval of the land-use change and rezoning was required to access roughly $10 million in state grant funding for due diligence and approximately $97.8 million for site development (figures provided by staff during the presentation).

Jonas and planner Jonathan Hill described the property as largely timbered and in active forestry production; the county’s land-use map currently designates most of the parcel agricultural or rural residential. The Weyerhaeuser request would change the map to an employment/industrial designation and rezone the site from rural agricultural/rural residential to general industrial. Weyerhaeuser and representatives from the Greenville Eastern North Carolina Alliance told the board the county would negotiate an option to buy a minimum 1,000 contiguous acres for a pad-ready mega site and that the county/alliance would pursue state due-diligence and infrastructure grants if the planning and engineering work supported development.

Representatives at the hearing included Josh Lewis of the Greenville Eastern North Carolina Alliance and Tim Jackson, senior director of real estate development for Weyerhaeuser. Scott Anderson (ARC Consulting Group) said the proposed rezoning lines were set to leave at least 500 feet between proposed industrial zoning and any existing homes and included 100-foot conservation-area overlays where the property abuts private residences. Jackson said Weyerhaeuser would continue timbering and recreational leases on lands not sold for industrial development and would not clear trees for industrial development unless the county and alliance purchased the property and proceeded with development.

The board heard extended public comment (dozens of residents spoke) raising recurring concerns: localized flooding and drainage problems, standing water on properties after recent rains, wildlife and wetland impacts, road capacity and safety on Bridal Road, Saintsville Road and Brawley Road, and uncertainty about who would build and live near a future industrial site. Multiple speakers said they fear loss of trees, increased runoff, and greater traffic; several asked whether any local guarantees exist that tax revenue from a future industrial user would be dedicated to addressing local infrastructure such as drainage or emergency services.

Planning staff and economic-development speakers described the grant-driven process as phased: an initial due-diligence study (environmental, wetlands delineation, wildlife, traffic analysis) followed by potential state infrastructure funding and then site development. Josh Lewis said the state program requires a property be zoned for industrial before EDPNC will commit due-diligence funds so the community and state “know you want industrial in this area” before spending significant state money on feasibility work.

After a motion to deny the land-use amendment and rezoning failed, the planning board voted to recommend approval. Planning staff said the recommendation will be forwarded to the Pitt County Board of Commissioners for a public hearing on July 21, where the commissioners will make the final decision. Staff recommended approval based on the site’s size, single ownership, proximity to a four-lane road and utilities, and designation as a potential mega site by EDPNC; staff told the board the Greenville Utilities Commission agreed to provide sewer service for the site without requiring voluntary annexation.

If commissioners approve, planning staff said subsequent development would require detailed site-plan review, environmental permitting, stormwater control measures, traffic mitigation as required by N.C. Department of Transportation, and additional county-level approvals for subdivision or infrastructure that do not automatically come back to the planning board for final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025_06_18_Pitt County Planning Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Pitt County Planning Board voted to recommend approval of a land-use map amendment and rezoning request from the Weyerhaeuser Company that would redesignate and rezone about 3,319.59 acres as employment/industrial and establish a conservation-area overlay for parts of the property.","taxTitle","Pitt County, North Carolina","taxId",14194,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191847,"Planning board recommends denial of 5-acre rezoning along NC 43 South; opponents cite traffic and noise concerns",885,1091095,1976350,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4407784-382799d1b7c29aed7008d564e55f3748&start=1091&end=1976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4407784-382799d1b7c29aed7008d564e55f3748/thumbnail_1091095.jpg","/articles/6191847/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Planning-board-recommends-denial-of-5-acre-rezoning-along-NC-43-South-opponents-cite-traffic-and-noise-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191847-16777c8ed23aab319c7d166c41283ed7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773552388&Signature=RhAO-qGIbl5d9Y8Ow~36Qr5~6SThKLwMAe~ZLVAjbbfqSoFbyjZKYVlYOeHn8wcehDNjJT9TQ692L85929ScFsubrjoRG3ZU~W0NoCAzKxII1IrS9BVLrlspAIrzF9gAdJtWaiJ6HnaUrfQowv-CxqNcBNgPS2U2IO8qtE0KIWQEYNP~8I7vJbQCLVa5d-Y~ZgrP4c~kFnQ0~V1BfFteujuzHbxZiJQl~tk2DSQ~rzztnNFrdcqN78l4hiqA9Tn83kidh1QRnw~yuHGhnA3Bogqozxelq23mGuV-1qPm4PSFlUMHg~5TPUCQ9qK2uaPHQ-2AyRK82T~-YBxelnketw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pitt County Planning Board voted to recommend denial of a rezoning request from property owner Calvin Overcash to change 5 acres on Edwards Farm Road, adjacent to NC 43 South, from rural residential to general commercial.

Planning staff described the property as two 2.5-acre portions that straddle Edwards Farm Road and noted other nonresidential uses on NC 43 South nearby, including contractors, an automotive repair business and a dog training facility. Staff said the NC 43 South Corridor land use plan designates the corridor as primarily rural residential and agricultural but allows small-scale nonresidential uses with direct access to NC 43 South. Planning staff recommended approval in this case on the basis of direct access to NC 43 and proximity to other commercial uses.

One nearby resident, Jeannie Everett, who said she lives “a field away” from the property, told the planning board she opposed the rezoning because certain commercial uses such as a gas station could increase traffic, noise and theft and would add conflict at a location that already has collisions on a nearby road. Planning board members questioned whether sewer service or other utilities would be available; staff said properties outside Greenville’s jurisdiction would typically rely on septic and that Greenville Utilities generally requires voluntary annexation for sewer access but had waived that requirement for other projects in the Weyerhaeuser matter discussed later in the meeting.

After public comment, a planning board member moved to recommend denial of the rezoning, finding it inconsistent with the NC 43 South Corridor Land Use Plan and not reasonable because it was not compatible with surrounding uses. The motion to deny carried; the board chair noted the planning board’s recommendation will go to the Pitt County Board of Commissioners for a public hearing on July 21 where the commissioners will make the final decision.

Planning staff said future nonresidential development on the property—if approved by the commissioners—would still require site-plan approval and review for access, traffic, and other requirements.","The board voted to recommend denial of Calvin Overcash’s request to rezone five acres from rural residential to general commercial; nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, potential gas-station uses, and access to sewer.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191852,"Pitt County planning board backs creation of conservation-area overlay to protect buffers and open space",797,266775,1064075,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4407784-382799d1b7c29aed7008d564e55f3748&start=266&end=1064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4407784-382799d1b7c29aed7008d564e55f3748/thumbnail_266775.jpg","/articles/6191852/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Pitt-County-planning-board-backs-creation-of-conservation-area-overlay-to-protect-buffers-and-open-space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191852-28e62ba537d8b708fb5af7146376ef2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773552388&Signature=IbDTc2cfcxx~6dEsGLmQgrrKKwqzFr8ot1jxekYndwtDbZC00VjV2lAJn4Rlf-UwAXCzhog95AXy7otuEVDRJ3xc2Yc~LVXCpeQZnvXSkpCBLsS7dC6PpuWgiI7Ie7IqMG8O0YxOGLdeNT8STZ~Ye9Y8x5hGXBA6C5lAOHS3V1~L2Q0kzpFZrr4Ad86d8lrqqkZX6kRE4fMAfE3ldl69H1wG5CgYMhvSXoj6Oa~TREwPz~o8yBZlVZo4-GuEv66MWe78SZcOTWerri-wfSLbrIY4cFz-sVxI-VYZx1Cjyi3hxrvYuQyqXY6W7o40Q5DbWcFC8X1yDERM3bY3kHixNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pitt County Planning Board voted to recommend a text amendment to the county zoning ordinance that would create a conservation-area overlay district intended to protect permanent open space and provide enforced buffers between new development and adjacent properties.

The amendment, presented by county planning staff member Jonas and by Scott Anderson of ARC Consulting Group, would allow applicants to map a conservation-area overlay that prohibits building encroachments, parking, and other impervious surfaces inside the overlay and requires the overlay area to be undeveloped at the time of its creation. The proposal sets a 100-foot minimum width for the overlay and allows public infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, and stormwater detention to cross the area where needed.

Jonas told the board the language was modeled after Greenville’s zoning ordinance and is intended to give “some teeth” to buffering promises developers sometimes make only informally. Scott Anderson, who identified himself as an owner of ARC Consulting Group, said the overlay has worked in Greenville and “is something that is more than just a promise. It is something that is put on a map that everybody knows is there, and it's enforceable.”

The amendment would restrict initiation of a CA overlay request to the legal owner of record (or the owner’s authorized agent) and requires that the area proposed for the overlay be vacant and free of vested rights or principal structures. Private streets and pedestrian walkways may cross the overlay if they meet development standards and connect to public infrastructure; temporary or permanent parking is prohibited. The overlay may also satisfy required roadside or property-line buffer yards when it conforms with other ordinance requirements.

Planning staff recommended approval, saying the amendment aligns with policies in the Envision Pitt County 2045 comprehensive land use plan that call for transitional features such as buffers and tree planting when new development abuts existing neighborhoods. The planning board voted to recommend adoption; the item moves to the Pitt County Board of Commissioners for a public hearing and final action on July 21.

The board opened a public comment period before the vote; Scott Anderson answered questions about how the overlay would be applied and who may request it. No vote tallies were recorded in the public transcript.

The proposal will appear before the Board of County Commissioners on July 21 for final consideration. If commissioners approve the text amendment, staff said the overlay could take effect immediately following that vote.","Planning staff and ARC Consulting asked the planning board to create a 100-foot conservation-area overlay in the county zoning ordinance to preserve permanent open space and strengthen buffers; the board voted to recommend the text amendment to the Board of Commissioners for consideration July 21.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning board recommends approval of Weyerhaeuser mega-site land-use change and rezoning after lengthy public comment

Planning board recommends denial of 5-acre rezoning along NC 43 South; opponents cite traffic and noise concerns

Pitt County planning board backs creation of conservation-area overlay to protect buffers and open space