Planning board recommends conditional rezoning for proposed private wastewater plant after applicant caps system capacity

The Pender County Planning Board on Aug. 4 recommended conditional approval of a conditional‑zoning map amendment for a private wastewater treatment facility proposed by Pluris, the utility proposing a new plant east of Hoover Road.

Staff summarized the resubmitted application and told the board the applicant had revised its request to limit the new site to 1,500,000 gallons per day while reducing capacity at an existing Scotts Hill facility to 1,500,000 gpd so the combined systemwide capacity remains 3,000,000 gpd. Planning Director "Mister Brantley" said staff recommended approval with standard conditions requiring compliance with all applicable federal, state and local permits.

Applicant consultant Mike Gallant described the proposed advanced membrane bioreactor and the site's separation from nearby homes, saying the proposed discharge would be “over a mile away from the Castle Bay site” and the plant location was chosen after evaluating soils and discharge points. Jeffrey Hudson, a consulting engineer for the applicant, told the board Pluris followed the county's notice requirements and had voluntarily proposed the capacity cap.

Opponents raised environmental and procedural concerns. Stan Green, a lawyer speaking for Castle Bay residents, urged the board to require an NPDES permit and said he had not seen evidence of the second public hearing he expected under the UDO. Andy Wood of the Coastal Plain Conservation Group pressed the board to consider possible impacts to Holly Shelter Game Land and downstream waters.

Board members pressed staff and the applicant on enforceability of permit‑related conditions. The county attorney advised against conditioning the rezoning on action by a parcel not before the board, but the recommended motion requires that the plant “shall not commence operation until applicant has obtained all applicable federal and state environmental permits and approvals and has provided documentation of such permits to Pender County.” Board member Keeler made that motion; it was seconded and carried. The planning board's recommendation will go to the county commissioners for a decision in September.

The applicant and staff emphasized that DEQ permitting and any required environmental review would be performed by the state during the formal permitting process. The board's action was advisory; final authority rests with the Pender County Board of Commissioners.