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Planning board recommends rezoning of 201 Ellington Street after neighborhood debate
Summary
The New Bern Planning & Zoning Board recommended that the Board of Aldermen approve rezoning 201 Ellington Street from R‑6S to C‑5, citing the applicant’s nonprofit use and staff findings; neighbors worried about spot zoning and future commercial uses. Vote: 5–2 in favor.
The New Bern Planning & Zoning Board on July 16 recommended that the Board of Aldermen approve a map amendment to rezone 201 Ellington Street from R‑6S (single‑family) to C‑5 (institutional/office) following public comment and technical discussion.
Nola, the city planner, told the board the roughly one‑third‑acre property sits at Ellington and Alabama and had been used as a church; the applicant, Cynthia Maddox, said the local chapter of Iota Sigma Zeta needs meeting space for youth programs and community outreach. "We are looking for a place where we can have our meetings, where we can meet with our youth," Maddox said, adding the organization avoids rowdy events and plans elder‑care and health‑education programming.
Nearby resident Dave Van Talbott opposed the request, saying the parcel "really should have always been strictly residential" and warning that a commercial designation could invite uses neighbors did not want. Owner Jan Pachalski, who said she bought the property as "residential‑commercial," supported the rezoning and described the building as a long‑vacant church that needs investment.
Board members questioned which uses would be allowed by right in a C‑5 district, whether the site could meet minimum parking requirements, and how state law limits later down‑zoning of a property. Maddox told the board the zoning office advised the property would need C‑5 (or C‑6) for the sorority’s regular meetings, and that the group plans to pave lawn areas and add diagonal spaces to meet an estimated minimum of 17 parking spaces.
Michael Duffy moved that the board recommend approval to the Board of Aldermen, saying professional offices and similar low‑intensity uses allowed in C‑5 could be an asset to the neighborhood; the motion passed on a roll call vote, 5 in favor (Danielle Peoples, Kelly Kaiser, Margo Fessman, Michael Duffy, Marshall Ballard) and 2 opposed (Brad Jefferson, Kit Paragoy).
The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Aldermen, which has final authority to adopt the rezoning. The applicant and owner may present additional supporting materials to that body when the item is scheduled.
