Planning board backs rezoning to expand business zoning along White Bridal/US‑17 corridor

The Pender County Planning Board voted March 4 to recommend approval of a general‑use rezoning that would convert about 11.36 acres of PD and RP zoning to General Business along White Bridal Road and U.S. Highway 17. The request is intended to align zoning with an emerging commercial node and to support neighborhood‑serving businesses and the existing Montessori school on the site.

Staff explained that surrounding zoning already contains commercial uses and that the county’s Imagine Pender 2050 future land use map designates the area as a neighborhood center supporting commercial activity. Kenneth Lloyd, the property owner, said the proposed rezoning would let the owner pursue a neighborhood commercial center and avoid confusion created by a patchwork of zoning on adjacent parcels. He emphasized the need for certainty to attract the investment required to build commercial projects at that location.

The White Bridge community and the Montessori director spoke in favor of the rezoning, saying commercial services and school expansion would benefit local families. Board members asked how General Business compares to the PD master‑planned option; staff noted PD allows more controlled, plan‑level standards while General Business is a straight rezoning that allows the full set of GB uses by right. After discussion members agreed the corridor context and existing commercial development made the rezoning appropriate and voted to recommend approval. Staff said, as with other zoning actions, the Board of County Commissioners will consider the request at a future meeting (April 20 in Berghaw was noted for items advancing from this agenda).