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Board approves split rezoning near Piney Green and Old 30; developer to coordinate school‑site options
Summary
The board rezoned nearly 100 acres from rural agriculture to a split designation of highway business and R-5 residential. Planning staff warned full buildout could push nearby schools over capacity; the developer said it would assist with locating a suitable school site and engage with the county on cemetery relocation options.
On April 21 the Onslow County Board of Commissioners approved a zoning map amendment (PRZ 2025‑4) that will change about 99.74 acres at Old 30 Road and Piney Green Road from Rural Agriculture to a split of Highway Business and Residential‑5.
County planning staff described the request as a split rezoning of roughly 47.58 acres to Highway Business (HB) and 52.21 acres to Residential‑5 (R‑5). Staff noted available water and sewer mains nearby and said the county’s future‑land‑use map designates the site as urban growth. Planning staff also reported the property includes a regulated AE flood zone, wetlands, and a blue‑line stream (Poplar Branch) and that the property contains a historic cemetery with the burial of Jasper Etheridge, an early county commissioner.
At the Planning Board hearing March 6 the board unanimously recommended approval. Staff warned that if the parcel were developed to maximum allowed density it could push Morton Creek Elementary, Hunters Creek Middle and White Oak High School over capacity. The developer, represented by Avery Washington of Continental Ground, told commissioners he had spoken with Onslow County Public Schools Superintendent and would help locate a suitable school site to address capacity needs.
Washington also told the board he had engaged local funeral directors and would work with the county and stakeholders to relocate or make accessible the burial plots for Jasper Etheridge if required by development, and that alternatives could include moving remains on‑site to a marked, publicly accessible historical location or transferring them to a municipal cemetery.
Strong Rock Engineering Group, representing the applicant, said the zoning change aligns with the county’s comprehensive‑plan goals for growth and could increase the local tax base.
After public comment and discussion, the board voted to adopt a consistency statement for the map amendment and authorized the chairman to sign the required documents. The motion carried by voice vote; minutes do not show a roll‑call tally.
Planning staff said noise, military flight‑path overlays, and potential environmental constraints will be addressed during subsequent layout and permitting reviews. The developer said it will submit layout and traffic analyses before any final subdivision approvals and work with school officials on suitable site options.
