Surf City council approves zoning change, annexation, ordinance cleanup and financing resolution; votes at a glance

The Surf City Town Council voted on several agenda items during its April 7 meeting, approving a set of land‑use and finance actions the town described as necessary for development flexibility and infrastructure investment.

Zoning amendment: The council approved a text amendment to Section 7.6 (off‑street parking and loading standards) to allow alternative permeable surfacing for parking lots of five spaces or more. Town Planner Jeremy Smith said the change — submitted by engineer Nick Lanier of Creek Development Group LLC and recommended by the planning board — is intended to improve stormwater control and reduce the need for large detention ponds; Smith told the council the change would be developer‑driven and would not directly affect property taxes.

Annexation: The council approved annexation of three town‑owned parcels totaling about 248 acres adjacent to Sarge Martin Road (previously under Holly Ridge/Onslow County jurisdiction). Town Clerk Carlos Citarelli explained the parcels include the town’s wastewater treatment facility and associated infrastructure; staff said annexation would streamline permitting and avoid repeated special‑use permit processes with an adjoining municipality.

Beach strand ordinance cleanup: Council considered an administrative cleanup to chapter 4 (the beach strand) that restores previously intended language on dune protection, accidental vs. purposeful sand removal, restrictions on certain sign orientations and polystyrene use, and requirements for spotters during authorized beach driving by town staff or contractors. Council accepted the ordinance changes with requested clarifying edits to language (for example, to remove a noted double negative and to clarify permitted crossovers) and voted to adopt the amended wording.

Installment financing for public utilities building: The council authorized execution of an installment financing contract with JPMorgan Chase to fund Phase 2 of the Public Utilities Building, not to exceed $5,200,000; staff said the debt will be funded from utility accounts and is not expected to require immediate rate changes. Attorney Bridal DeSalmes later stated he reviewed the contract and described the loan as a 15‑year note at 3.74% with a negotiated payoff option after five years without penalty.

Each of these items was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the meeting; the record contains no roll‑call tallies. All formal votes that produced an outcome at the meeting are summarized below.