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Commissioners approve conditional zoning to allow equipment sales, boat/RV storage on US 17 site with conditions
Summary
A conditional zoning map amendment was approved for approximately 6.4 acres along U.S. 17 to allow heavy equipment sales/service and outdoor boat/RV storage; approval included buffers, stormwater controls and a requirement that any dry‑stack storage be treated as a major modification requiring a new conditional zoning application.
The Pender County Board of Commissioners on May 19 approved a conditional zoning (CZ) map amendment for about 6.4 acres along U.S. 17 (north of Royal Turn Drive) to permit heavy equipment sales, rental and service along with outdoor boat and recreational vehicle (RV) storage. The parcels are currently zoned GB (General Business) and the approved CZ replaces that designation with use‑specific conditions.
What was proposed and approved - The applicant sought a CZ to allow uses not permitted by right in the general business district: commercial industrial machinery and equipment rental/leasing/sales and outdoor boat/RV storage. - Staff and the planning board recommended approval with conditions that align the site with surrounding commercial uses while protecting nearby residential areas. Conditions included compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), state and federal regulations, runoff controls (post‑development runoff limited to no more than 10% above predevelopment for 10, 25 and 50‑year events with analysis for the 100‑year event), recombination of multiple parcels before site plan approval, and a provision that any future dry‑stack storage would be treated as a major modification and require a new CZ application and public hearings.
Traffic and access - County staff noted the project’s vehicle trip generation is below the thresholds that require a traffic impact analysis; driveway access will use an existing access from U.S. 17 and a secondary access from Top Road. N.C. Department of Transportation approval for highway access remains required.
Process and vote - The planning board had unanimously recommended approval. At the commissioners’ hearing the developer representative and a neighbor spoke in support. The board adopted findings that the conditional zoning is consistent with applicable Pender 2 comprehensive plan policies and approved the CZ with the listed conditions.
Why this matters - The decision allows expansion of commercial and light industrial uses in a mixed‑use corridor, with conditions aimed at limiting impacts on neighboring residential areas and requiring additional review if storage uses change (for example, dry‑stack boat storage).
