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Planning board backs zoning text change to allow pervious parking surfaces
Summary
The board recommended approval of a zoning text amendment that adds professionally designed pervious or permeable materials as an option for parking areas, with design and maintenance standards tied to NCDEQ guidance.
The Pender County Planning Board on March 4 recommended approval of a zoning text amendment (ZTA‑2026‑34) that changes Unified Development Ordinance surfacing standards to allow pervious or permeable materials for required off‑street parking and vehicular use areas.
Virginia Norris, senior planner, said the amendment permits porous pavers, grid pavers, porous asphalt, pervious concrete and other approved permeable systems for parking areas when designed and certified by a qualified professional and constructed in accordance with NCDEQ stormwater design guidance. The proposal also requires an operations and maintenance manual for pervious systems, and places use limitations in high‑pollutant locations (for example fueling stations). For small parking areas (20 spaces or fewer) staff proposed additional flexibility such as non‑compacting gravel or ABC stone with appropriate delineation and barriers.
Board members suggested clarifying objective baseline criteria for administrator review of new materials (for example a hydraulic conductivity threshold used by state guidance) to reduce subjectivity; staff agreed to consult the county’s stormwater consultant and incorporate objective thresholds as appropriate. A minor redline typo in the draft (agency acronym) was flagged and noted for correction.
After brief discussion the board voted to recommend approval of the text amendment, finding it consistent with the Unified Development Ordinance and Imagine Pender 2050 policies on stormwater and small‑business flexibility.
