The Onslow County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 1 approved a package of county actions that included a funding agreement with Coastal Carolina Community College, an amendment to an airport task order for runway work, zoning changes in Sneads Ferry and a county resolution promoting low‑impact stormwater practices.

County Manager David Smitherman and representatives from Coastal Carolina Community College gathered at the dais for a ceremonial signing of an annual operating and capital funding agreement meant to provide the college with predictable support similar to the county’s longstanding commitments to the Onslow County School System. Smitherman said the financing formula “will adequately fund the annual operating and the annual capital maintenance requirements of the community college” and give trustees and the college president “the confidence necessary to plan for their future knowing that resources will be coming, to take care of their campus.”

The board also approved Amendment No. 2 to Task Order 3 with RS&H Engineering to provide construction administration and resident inspector services for the Albert J. Ellis Airport runway extension and related highway relocation. Airport staff said the work is expected to be completed within 492 calendar days and is funded with State Capital Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) grant dollars, NCDOT airport improvement funds and passenger facility charges. The agenda text lists the amount in a format that reads “$2,000,000.446311” and a commissioner later referenced $2,446,131 during discussion; the board approved the amendment and a commissioner requested staff clarify the funding line items and exact contract total for public records.

On land‑use matters, planning staff presented a staff‑initiated rezoning (PZ‑2025‑26) for a 0.28‑acre lot at 117 Peggy’s Trace in Sneads Ferry to change the parcel from Highway Business to Residential‑5. Staff noted utilities are available, the parcel is surrounded by residential development, the Planning Board unanimously recommended approval, and there were no public speakers on the item; the board adopted the zoning map amendment and authorized a statement of consistency with the comprehensive plan.

The board also adopted ZOTA‑2025‑3, a zoning text amendment to exempt water‑dependent accessory structures on waterfront lots from a provision that otherwise requires a principal structure before accessory structures. Planning staff told commissioners the change clarifies permitting for docks or boat lifts that developers and property owners sometimes need to install before building a home.

Other items approved by voice vote included a modification to the Hines Farm Park & Stables fee schedule to grant a 50% discount on cabin rentals to North Carolina local government employees (staff noted current cabin rentals are $75 per night and proposed a 50% discount for eligible employees), adoption of Resolution 25,015 supporting low‑impact development strategies for county‑funded public facilities, and the appointment of William Sanders to an environmental seat on the Onslow County Planning Board through July 31, 2028.

Votes at a glance
- Adoption of meeting agenda: approved (voice vote).
- Consent agenda: approved (voice vote).
- PZ‑2025‑26 (117 Peggy’s Trace) rezoning: approved (voice vote).
- ZOTA‑2025‑3 (water‑dependent accessory structures): approved (voice vote).
- RS&H Task Order 3, Amendment No. 2 (airport runway/resident inspector services): approved (voice vote; staff to clarify exact contract total and funding sources).
- Hines Farm Park & Stables fee schedule (50% discount for NC local government employees): approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25,015 (Low Impact Development statement): approved (voice vote).
- Planning Board appointment (William Sanders): approved (voice vote).

Each vote was recorded in the meeting by voice; no roll‑call tallies were read into the public record.

The board closed its public session and entered closed session at the end of the meeting.