Planning Board recommends conditional rezoning for Richlands Heights with sidewalks required

The Onslow County Planning Board voted unanimously March 5 to recommend approval of a conditional rezoning for the Richlands Heights subdivision, with an added condition requiring sidewalks as shown on the submitted plan.

Senior Planner Joseph Bauer told the board that staff’s recommendation included resubmittal of the conditional zoning site plan for major-subdivision review, authorization for the Planning & Development director to allow limited minor amendments, and a restriction to 259 single-family residential dwellings. Bauer described those elements as part of the proposed conditions for CREZ-2026-00001.

Applicant representatives said the project is designed around existing ditches and retention ponds to manage runoff. Avery Washington, speaking for the applicant, said the site’s design and existing retention features help control stormwater, and applicant Ricky Ward said the development would be built in three phases, that the existing sewer lift station needs repair and that Ward plans to make improvements and obtain a stormwater permit.

Chair Marilyn Bunce and board members pressed the applicant on community outreach and sidewalks. Ward said roughly 700 letters were mailed to nearby addresses and that only one resident initially responded with substantive concerns, which he said he addressed. When asked whether sidewalks would be included, Ward agreed; Brandon Howard moved to recommend approval with the added condition that sidewalks be required as shown on the plan, and the motion passed unanimously.

The board also approved the staff-prepared consistency statement for CREZ-2026-00001 by unanimous vote. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.

Action recorded: the board recommended approval of CREZ-2026-00001 and approved the consistency statement; the record shows the motion passed unanimously.