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Planning board approves UDO change to allow hotels in more Pender County districts
Summary
The Pender County Planning Board voted to approve ZTA 2026-35, a staff-initiated zoning text amendment that would permit hotels and motels (as D permitted with use standards) in additional zoning districts including Industrial Transitional and General Industrial to increase lodging availability near I-40 and employment centers. The amendment will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners.
The Pender County Planning Board approved a zoning text amendment (ZTA 2026-35) that would expand where hotels and motels are permitted in the county’s Unified Development Ordinance. Staff described the proposal as a way to provide lodging options near transportation corridors and employment centers, and to support tourism, workforce housing and commercial activity.
Staff presentation: Planning staff said the amendment revises UDO section 5.2.3 to list hotels and motels as permitted (with use standards) in additional districts including Industrial Transitional (IT) and General Industrial (GI). The presentation said the amendment includes use standards (citing section 5.3.10 for accommodation and food services) and a building-height flexibility (one foot of additional building height for every two feet of increased setback up to a 75-foot maximum for eligible cases). Staff recommended approval as consistent with the UDO and Imagine Pender 2050.
Board questions and rationale: Members asked for maps showing where the affected districts are concentrated; staff and GIS screenshots identified higher concentrations near southern U.S. 421, the Pender County Commerce Park around Rocky Point, and areas near I-40. Staff said the county has a shortage of conventional hotels and that allowing lodging in additional districts could retain visitor and workforce spending in Pender County rather than in neighboring counties.
Motion and outcome: A board member moved to approve the text amendment with a finding that it is consistent with the UDO and Imagine Pender 2050; the board recorded a voice vote in favor and the motion carried. Staff indicated the amendment will proceed to the Board of Commissioners for consideration.
Implications: If adopted by the Board of Commissioners, the change would allow lodging development in locations that staff identified as near transportation corridors and employment centers; any individual hotel proposal would still be subject to applicable use standards, site plan review, dimensional standards, and required permits.
Authorities cited in meeting: Pender County Unified Development Ordinance (section 5.2.3 and 5.3.10) and the Imagine Pender 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
