Carteret County commissioners deny rezoning request for Laurel Road parcel after widespread public opposition

The Carteret County Board of Commissioners on Monday denied a request to rezone a 15.62‑acre parcel on Laurel Road from R15M (single‑family residential) to B1CC (general business, conditional), after residents, local advocates and several commissioners raised concerns about flooding, runoff and what they called potential “spot zoning.”

The planning department presented the application for property owner Leslie Hawes, represented by applicant Jeff Pilcher. Greg Hartman, interim planning director, said the conditional zoning would have limited uses to mini‑storage buildings, storage for overnight recreational vehicles and campers, a contractor’s office and a boat storage yard; the applicant also agreed to a 20‑foot vegetative buffer around residential districts, double the county minimum. Hartman told the board the planning commission voted 6–0 on…