Commissioners approve conditional marina, storage and ice facility zoning near Core Creek

The Carteret County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13 approved a conditional rezoning to allow a marina, commercial boat ramp, boat storage and an ice facility on roughly 14.23 acres off Core Creek Road and Dickinson Lane.

County planning staff said the parcels are currently undeveloped and lie along Core Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway. The conditional zoning, filed by Core Creek Development Partners LLC, limits allowed uses on the site to a marina, commercial boat ramp, mini-storage and an ice machine, and includes site-specific conditions agreed to by the applicant.

The rezoning request had been recommended for approval by the Carteret County Planning Commission 6-0 at its Dec. 9, 2024 meeting. Chase Culver, an engineer with the Culver Group who spoke for the applicant, told commissioners that the project team pursued conditional zoning before other permits because a marina permit process is time-consuming and expensive. "The scope may change, but it will only get reduced," Culver said, referring to possible adjustments required by regulatory agencies.

Planning staff described the parcels as located in the county's "rural services" future land‑use classification, which allows scattered commercial uses amid primarily low‑density residential development. Staff said some central water service can be provided or extended and that wastewater would be by individual septic systems unless otherwise permitted.

Vice Chairman Mansfield moved to approve the conditional rezoning; Commissioner Clark seconded. The board also adopted a statement of consistency and reasonableness noting the proposed use is compatible with surrounding land uses and the planning commission's recommendation. The motion carried with the board's approval.

Applicant Patrick Bonner and his engineer told commissioners the proposal anticipates an inland marina basin with wet slips and boat lifts; the conditional zoning allows the project to be reduced later without restarting the conditional‑rezoning process. Commissioners and staff reiterated that any increase in intensity beyond the approved conditions would require a new rezoning process and further review by the planning commission and board.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed with required regulatory reviews and permitting for wetlands, shoreline work and marina construction, subject to the conditions recorded in the conditional zoning agreement.

Because the rezoning is conditional and site‑specific, any change to increase density or enlarge permitted uses would require re‑submission to the planning commission and the board for approval.