Carteret County applies county development regulations to 331 properties formerly in Cedar Point's ETJ

The Carteret County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 18 voted to apply current county development regulations, including zoning, to 331 properties that were formerly inside the Town of Cedar Point’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

Assistant County Manager Matt Renau told the board the move follows Cedar Point’s decision to dissolve the bulk of its ETJ and that, “Per state statute, from the point of the town's action, the county has 60 days to either apply development rules to it or let it go unzoned.” The planning commission recommended, 5‑0, that the county mirror the zoning districts that existed under Cedar Point.

Renau said the change mostly preserves the zoning expectations property owners had under the town and consolidates planning and permitting under county government. He told the board that, of the 331 parcels affected, “320 of them are R‑15M,” and the remainder include a small number designated in other districts such as R‑24, B‑1, IW and MC, according to county staff.

Commissioners discussed the risk of leaving the properties unzoned, including potential legal exposure tied to state down‑zoning rules. Renau and other commissioners stressed continuity for property owners who purchased expecting residential zoning.

A public hearing received no speakers. Following discussion the board adopted a motion to apply county development regulations and zoning to the affected parcels. The planning commission also read and adopted a statement of consistency finding the action aligned with the Campbell Lane use plan.

The action was taken during the Aug. 18 meeting; the board did not provide a roll‑call vote tally on the record but announced the motion passed.