[{"_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",6495425,"mediaKeyId","5487721-a84a70e173b6a6b3930d44da6214fc80","parentId",5487721,"title","Pender County commissioners debate expanded noise ordinance after Rocky Point dirt-bike complaints","audioSeconds",4096,"startMs",1384000,"endMs",5480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487721-a84a70e173b6a6b3930d44da6214fc80&start=1384&end=5480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487721-a84a70e173b6a6b3930d44da6214fc80/thumbnail_1384000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6495425/Pender-County/North-Carolina/Pender-County-commissioners-debate-expanded-noise-ordinance-after-Rocky-Point-dirt-bike-complaints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495425-50eb38fa90d51b2a9e3aacc90526a876/orig.mp4?Expires=1773348960&Signature=Nf2xk3mBrfL3GfIdam~1R9t1XGaf0B6z3gAEUt0kT8~k29LmclgdT4swcXcUgpHq0LEOZipHATpRDYqJOTv4fllKgpa8z-Mb8q69wFdujynAB51zBxm8kgS7a6ULMdGixabPydzlyaeIiS8lqNDvpY3iDBveGvcLUwPa3tjwOWL8AymJooxPUPZN21ETqo5KE6gdRq2MsgNOKaEGDq34EoAyU-KFIosRDzOJgizFob-eYM6R1hhXBN7ikP6rixnTStQQeTofRl495MsP4-jpVZGolCdNeCA1zas7iO~~i0~7cisUwA9kWzMK0IKeQQuNYjah2Odp5TN7QiLC0Mu0uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pender County","date","2025-07-28T19:40:36Z","article","Pender County commissioners spent the bulk of a July 28 special meeting debating a proposed change to the county noise ordinance after public comment from residents near a Rocky Point motocross/dirt-bike track and from riders and property owners. The draft amendment would add “motorbike” to the list of off-road vehicles and define “plainly audible” as sound detected at 70 decibels or greater at the property line; the sheriff’s office asked that the off-road-vehicle provision apply 24 hours a day.

The proposal drew sustained comment from neighbors who said noise from an Airbnb-hosted motocross track has made their properties difficult to use, and from riders and the property owner’s attorney who warned the ordinance would imperil property rights and small businesses.

The debate focused on three central points: how the ordinance would be enforced, whether it singles out dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles, and prior approvals or zoning determinations for the property where the track operates. Commissioners did not adopt the ordinance as written that night; instead they directed staff to continue work, and several commissioners asked that a subcommittee or negotiation between affected parties be formed to produce a revised draft for future consideration.

Neighbors described disturbance at close range. Julie Walker, who lives near the track, told the board she is “about 2,000 feet away” and can sit inside with the TV on and still hear the bikes. “I retired from the military to just live the rest of my life in peace and quiet. I can't do that anymore,” Walker said during public comment.

Several speakers urged the board to weigh property investments and rural character. Jay Dixon, who said he lives on Sawgrass Road in Hampstead, told commissioners that people invest “their entire life, their savings” and should be protected from activities that make adjacent properties unusable; he said current county enforcement leaves some residents without redress.

Riders and the property owner’s representatives said the ordinance, as written, would criminalize ordinary private recreation or shut down a small business. Trey Cook, who identified himself as a licensed attorney and motocross racer, asked the board to consider property rights and the risk of “selective enforcement and targeted harassment.” “Apparently, per this ordinance, it's gonna be illegal to ride a dirt bike in Pender County,” Cook said. “I think it's wrong.”

Grady Richardson, representing the property owners and their short-term rental business, told the board he believed the ordinance as drafted would be unconstitutional and could produce significant liability for the county. Richardson said staff previously advised the owners that short-term rental activity and motocross use on the site were permitted under county zoning; he described a letter from county staff (Daniel Adams) dated April 25, 2024, that he said supported his client’s interpretation. “If this ordinance is passed … it's unenforceable,” Richardson told the board, and he warned it could “constitute an inverse condemnation” and trigger attorney fees and damages.

County staff and the county attorney explained legal distinctions between police-power noise ordinances and land-use/zoning decisions. The attorney told commissioners that a zoning determination and a noise ordinance are separate legal matters: “What you're looking at here is a noise ordinance, which is a police power ordinance,” he said, and that exemptions for farming and traffic remain part of the draft. Staff also said the draft adds an objective decibel threshold because “plainly audible” had been difficult to enforce.

Key details in the draft discussed at length included the 70-decibel threshold, which staff said would make enforcement more objective, exemptions for agricultural and construction activities, and the existing time-based standard (previously 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) that covers other categories of noise. The sheriff’s office recommended the off-road-vehicle provision apply 24 hours a day; several commissioners expressed concern about a 24/7 rule that would mean riding on private property at any hour could violate the ordinance if the decibel threshold were exceeded at a property line.

Commissioners and speakers also questioned enforceability. The board heard that deputies commonly respond by asking people to quiet down and that by the time law enforcement arrives a transient noise source may have stopped. Several commissioners said they did not want to single out one category of activity—dirt bikes—when the ordinance deals broadly with noise sources.

After public comment and discussion, a motion was placed on the table to adopt the ordinance as written and was seconded; a voice vote followed in which commissioners signaled both support and opposition. Multiple commissioners said the draft should be revised and returned to the board with more stakeholder engagement. One commissioner specifically asked for a subcommittee that would include residents on both sides of the dispute to produce a proposed resolution for a future meeting.

The board did not finalize the ordinance at the July 28 meeting. Commissioners asked staff to gather additional examples, consider time-of-day distinctions and exemptions, and return with a revised draft; one commissioner asked staff to convene interested residents and property owners for a negotiated solution prior to a future vote.

The Rocky Point discussion drew numerous references to pending separate proceedings: staff told the board there is an active zoning violation appeal related to the property and that the Board of Adjustment has a pending appeal. The county’s planning and legal staff and the property owner’s attorney acknowledged those are separate processes from a noise ordinance.

What’s next: Commissioners asked staff to continue redrafting the noise ordinance and to consider creating a subcommittee that includes residents and affected parties. No final adoption occurred July 28; the matter will return to a future agenda after additional stakeholder discussions and staff revisions.

Votes and formal actions connected to this item were procedural: a motion to adopt the ordinance as written was made and seconded and a voice vote was taken; commissioners signaled both aye and nay, and the board agreed to continue work and convene a smaller group to seek a compromise. The board instructed staff to bring back a revised ordinance for further consideration.

End note: The transcript includes multiple detailed public comments from neighbors and riders, and a legal letter that an attorney for the property owner said staff previously provided. The board emphasized the difference between zoning determinations and police-power noise regulation while seeking an enforceable, legally defensible approach that balances rural property use, public peace, and equitable enforcement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 28, 2025 Board of County Commissioners Special Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Pender County commissioners spent the bulk of a July 28 special meeting debating a proposed change to the county noise ordinance after public comment from residents near a Rocky Point motocross/dirt-bike track and from riders and property owners.","taxTitle","Pender County, North Carolina","taxId",75713,"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},6495415,"Pender County hires Developmental Associates for county-manager search; routine budget and IT items approved",311,5715000,6026000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487721-a84a70e173b6a6b3930d44da6214fc80&start=5715&end=6026","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487721-a84a70e173b6a6b3930d44da6214fc80/thumbnail_5715000.jpg","/articles/6495415/Pender-County/North-Carolina/Pender-County-hires-Developmental-Associates-for-county-manager-search-routine-budget-and-IT-items-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495415-b34a69352d28e1063967eeeafacb9c0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773348960&Signature=V05jLJW5oJrVD8HazWKCgtmEY598vFK9Gt0CqpdhTdVVR283vZft5iVnLRbh9fY-1J2scLgzAqOZZnB68vch-yW-8csY5i4jyiX4YF3AXN701SKQp7rGR6n9dxpYn-2OF3REPtkSoYKIXxYcuEEi3pskWf1-CjUUukqQkpM1TRCTAFalo1NHZql0HG-PWIgfsYMetZV6aHMWpOYf6fX863VmiJI5-WFYY9NGnMDgu9lWG65oFLh2dr0LBEid7UkBsZD2~rdxTdjRm5AdmTJMlMT8d6MRrhYSX-K7AyXD5KlLuv18h4VelVeVzEQZOQTsuMTUhCoufrRu2Ykyspk6GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pender County commissioners on July 28 approved a contract with Developmental Associates LLC (Stephen Strauss) to assist in recruiting and screening applicants for the county manager position. County staff reported 114 applications were on file from the initial May posting and the consultant told the board he would reach out to those applicants to determine interest in formal consideration.

Commissioners said they favored an outside, professional search and assessment process. The board approved the purchase order/contract for Developmental Associates by voice vote; commissioners also agreed to carve out a short closed-session opportunity on the August 4 meeting to speak with the consultant about the board’s preferences and the recruitment process.

In routine business the board approved two end-of-year budget amendments (items 9.3 and 9.4), consolidating them for approval. County staff described those amendments as accounting treatments to pay collections to towns, EMS, fire and schools and to maintain trust-account payments for Department of Social Services rep-payee accounts. The board voted to approve the consolidated budget items unanimously.

The board also approved two IT renewals (items 9.5 and 9.6) for email protection and a cloud backup solution after staff said the procurement had competitive quotes and the recommended vendors were on national contract. Those renewals were combined on the consent-style vote and approved by the board.

No dissent was recorded on these consent and routine procurement items; commissioners asked that the search consultant speak with the full board (in closed session) after the August 4 meeting so the board could outline the county’s desired qualifications and process.

End note: The contract with Developmental Associates will proceed with outreach to the existing applicant pool and the board will consider next steps and candidate interviews after the consultant’s screening.","The board approved a contract with Developmental Associates LLC to lead the county-manager recruitment from a pool of 114 applicants, and approved routine end-of-year budget amendments and IT renewals that had been slated for consent; commissioners scheduled follow-up with the search firm.",{"_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},6495420,"Dispute over Union Rescue contract and Pender EMS arrangement raises service and timing questions",943,3054000,3997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487721-a84a70e173b6a6b3930d44da6214fc80&start=3054&end=3997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487721-a84a70e173b6a6b3930d44da6214fc80/thumbnail_3054000.jpg","/articles/6495420/Pender-County/North-Carolina/Dispute-over-Union-Rescue-contract-and-Pender-EMS-arrangement-raises-service-and-timing-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495420-81bea7b3054fff9db9a31b652eb15554/orig.mp4?Expires=1773348960&Signature=P7uBlInYSiEtoU4j0903m2WOY34SBmj8ZmbCcgrUTXEwM3VW86C4vZb1dWAJmTYAINvXaOzrtBZvJ13e3yQhklPOnk~pNS-2EOcuZkrilV61XfDMY6cOVPt3sN7YkHOifa7o3YoSfEs7ELb74V8J5SRSaR8hYStjwTgUoQNi174AnZkrBPVQhlPaU~l4qNaXrbW5O9QkoyY6Ei3iIpNldk~7iKt~kuJw-PTZZI-UUQcDSSf8l2VnyBOfI67qZlu5nnF1EW1mIVqWhljzxJ1M17jDgbKPZzhYogVlWZQUKfmgkMLhRSJkUx4XcyLJ7aMnKuyuR2~x51ZHf0decoe4VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A July 28 special meeting of the Pender County Board of Commissioners included extended public comment and commissioner discussion about emergency medical services after Union Rescue Squad representatives said they received notice that Pender EMS planned to end Union’s subcontracting relationship.

Union Rescue Chief Diane Giddens told the board she learned informally that Pender EMS planned to remove Union Rescue from its subcontract and that Union would be asked to vacate a station assigned to them as soon as the following morning. Giddens said she had been told a “quick response vehicle” (QRV) or transport unit would be placed at Penderlea Fire Department and that Union Rescue would continue to respond with a basic (non-transport) unit while a contract with the county was finalized; she said she had not received a copy of the termination letter that others had referenced.

“Without a contract, we cannot” move an ambulance or continue transport service, Giddens told the board. She said she had spoken with Pender EMS leadership about temporary QRV support but that she lacked a signed contract with the county to maintain operations.

Commissioners, Union Rescue and county staff described overlapping, but separate, processes. County staff said Pender EMS is the system-planned EMS provider and that Pender EMS currently subcontracts with Union Rescue; the county does not directly direct Pender EMS’s subcontracting decisions. If the board wished to contract directly with Union Rescue as a county contractor, staff said it could place the item on a future agenda and pursue a county contract, but that would not change a private subcontracting decision by Pender EMS.

County staff also discussed the state Office of EMS (OEMS) system-plan process. Staff said an amended system plan that named a different provider or added a subcontractor would require state approval and that OEMS estimated roughly a 30-day process for a system-plan revision; the county contract under discussion would include a 90-day grace period for staffing and compliance. The county attorney reiterated the distinction between a Pender EMS subcontract and a county-level contract tied to the EMS system plan.

Commissioners repeatedly urged clarity and timely resolution. One commissioner said the county had been in discussions about a contract since May and that staff was awaiting budget numbers. Commissioners and Union Rescue agreed that continuity of paramedic-level service for Penderlea and Willard areas was a priority; staff assured the board that paramedic-level service would continue while the county and Pender EMS worked through options.

Union Rescue representatives and other speakers asked for better notice and involvement in discussions they said had taken place without their participation. Several commissioners said they too were surprised by the timing of notices and asked staff to provide clearer communications to district commissioners when matters affect their constituents.

County staff outlined options: (1) ask the board to place a county contract with Union Rescue on a future agenda (the August 4 agenda was mentioned), or (2) rely on Pender EMS’s subcontracting decisions and pursue a system-plan revision for state approval if the board chose to name a different provider. Staff said the system-plan revision would likely take 30 days for state review and that the proposed county contract includes a 90-day compliance/grace period.

The board directed staff to pursue clarification and to place contract-related items on the August 4 agenda. Commissioners asked that staff provide copies of letters and communications referenced in public comments and to coordinate with Pender EMS, Union Rescue and OEMS to avoid service interruptions.

No final contract award or termination was made by the board at the July 28 meeting; commissioners sought more information and asked staff to return with formal documentation and options for the August 4 meeting.

End note: The public discussion highlighted operational dependency on private subcontracting decisions, the state system-plan approval timeline, and the political and communication challenges of coordinating EMS coverage during contract transitions.","Union Rescue officials and the county exchanged conflicting representations about a contract and station staffing. Union Rescue Chief Diane Giddens said she was told service would change and that Union could be removed from Pender EMS subcontracting; commissioners pressed staff for clarity and options for continuity of paramedic-level service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pender County commissioners debate expanded noise ordinance after Rocky Point dirt-bike complaints

Pender County hires Developmental Associates for county-manager search; routine budget and IT items approved

Dispute over Union Rescue contract and Pender EMS arrangement raises service and timing questions