PETITION TO DENY REZONING REQUESTS REZ-003679-2026 AND REZ-003680-2026

TO: The City of New Bern Development Services Department, Planning & Zoning Board, and Board of Aldermen

FROM: Residents of the Greenbrier Community and Concerned Citizens of New Bern

DATE: September 13, 2026

PETITION STATEMENT

We, the undersigned property owners and residents of New Bern, respectfully present this petition to request that the Planning & Zoning Board and the Board of Aldermen DENY the rezoning requests submitted for two parcels totaling over 690 acres:

• Rezoning Request REZ-003679-2026 (Parcel ID: 8-211-011): Request to rezone 376.2 +/- acres located east of the future NC Hwy 43 connector and south of US Hwy 70 from Agricultural 5F (A-5F) and Residential 15 (R-15) to Residential 6 (R-6).
• Rezoning Request REZ-003680-2026 (Parcel ID: 8-209-13000): Request to rezone 315.74 +/- acres located at the southwest and southeast corners of US Hwy 70 and NC Hwy 43 from Agricultural 5F (A-5F) to Commercial 3 (C-3).

Map of Parcels to be Rezoned:  

REASONS FOR OPPOSITION & COMMUNITY CONCERNS

• Disruption of Neighborhood Character: Placing a high-density residential district containing single-family units, townhomes, and apartments directly adjacent to Greenbrier—an established, low-density neighborhood—will significantly alter the neighborhood’s character and diminish quality of life for current residents.
• Negative consequences for residential property values and municipal tax revenues 
• Adverse Visual Impacts: Transitioning from low-density to high-density housing introduces smaller lot sizes, shorter setbacks, and lower architectural standards.
• Increased Pollution, Noise: The massive development across 700+ combined acres will result in substantial increases in ambient noise, street lighting glare, and traffic pollution.
• Stormwater Runoff Threats: Excessive stormwater runoff from the extensive acreage threatens to overwhelm existing municipal and community drainage infrastructure.
• Pedestrian Trespassing and Safety Hazards: Increased foot traffic to and from nearby commercial areas on S. Glenbernie Rd risks trespassing, littering, and security concerns within Greenbrier.
• Invasive Traffic Routes: The proposed rezoning raises serious concerns regarding the potential creation of new vehicular access roads cutting directly through Greenbrier.
• Displacement of Local Wildlife: Developing these parcels will displace local wildlife populations, including deer, coyotes, bears, and protected bird species such as barn owls and woodpeckers.
• Strain on Municipal Services and Infrastructure: A development of this scale will place severe stress on essential municipal services, including:
  - Fire and rescue services
  - Police protection
  - Water and sewer utilities
  - Electrical power grid capacity
  - Stormwater management capacity
  - Damage to City Reputation: Prioritizing dense commercial and residential development over protecting established residential communities will harm New Bern's reputation for preserving quality of life for its citizens.

NEIGHBORHOOD PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS (IF DEVELOPMENT PROCEEDS)

Should any portion of these rezoning requests receive consideration, petitioners submit that the City of New Bern will impose the following legally binding site transition requirements and covenants to protect adjacent residential properties:

• Vegetation Buffer: A continuous 200-foot buffer zone of existing natural vegetation (trees, shrubs, and underbrush) and a 10’ to 15’ berm must be permanently maintained along the specified boundaries as a perpetual visual and acoustic screen.
• Security Fencing: An 8-foot-high anti-climb perimeter fence must be constructed and maintained entirely on the developer's side adjacent to the vegetation buffer.
• Access Restrictions: Direct vehicular or road access to or from either property through the Greenbrier subdivision must be strictly prohibited under all circumstances.
• Building Height & Sightline Restrictions: Strict building height limits must be mandated so that no structure or component is visible from any residential parcel within Greenbrier.
• Commercial Parcel Covenants (Parcel 8-209-13000):
  - Operating Hours: Cargo pickup, commercial deliveries, and loading dock activities must be prohibited between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM daily.
  - Site Layout: Shipping/delivery bays, loading docks, waste dumpsters, and refuse compaction systems (equipped with certified sound-damping enclosures) must be located exclusively on the north or south elevations and strictly prohibited on eastern elevations.
  - Lighting Standards: All outdoor illumination must use full cutoff, fully shielded luminaires to eliminate glare and light trespass onto neighboring properties.
  - Stormwater Management: All stormwater runoff generated by the property must be managed exclusively through on-site systems, with zero discharge permitted into Greenbrier retention ponds or municipal drainage infrastructure.

CONCLUSION & REQUEST FOR ACTION

We urge the Planning & Zoning Board and the Board of Aldermen to protect established neighborhoods, natural wildlife habitats, and municipal infrastructure by voting to DENY rezoning requests.

Respectfully submitted,

Residents of Greenbrier, in New Bern, NC