PENDER COUNTY — Hotels are now allowed in more Pender County zoning districts after the county’s planning board signed off on changes to its zoning earlier this month.
Specifically, planning staff requested hotels and motels be allowed in the industrial transitional and general industrial districts. They particularly wanted to welcome more accommodations along N.C. Highway 421 and Interstate 40, to which the planning board agreed unanimously.
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“It targets areas near transportation corridors and employment centers,” Senior Planner Virginia Norris presented, noting on Highway 421 it would give lodging to travelers near Pender Commerce Park where Acme Smoked Fish and Coastal Beverage are located, with the new Amazon facility nearby. “This reflects growing demand, tied to economic activity as well as regional travel.”
Norris added structures could max out at 75 feet in height with design bonuses. Developers could receive 1 foot of additional building height for every 2 feet of additional setback installed. This would allow more space between developments and prevent clustering near already established businesses.
She added if the zoning additions proved fruitful, staff could look at other potential rural areas for hotels to be allowed but they may limit height restrictions.
The proposal is consistent with Pender’s 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, in that it supports economic and commercial business, while expanding and retaining the county’s employment base, tourism support, and small business and workforce investment. Norris said it also pushes travelers away from already established residential areas.
Planning Board member Delva Jordan wanted to know if the zoning change helped highly trafficked areas like Scotts Hill and Hampstead.
Interim Planning Director Justin Brantley explained lodging establishments are already permitted in planned development, general business district and office and institution, both of which include regions near the Hampstead Bypass. However, targeting places like the Pender and New Hanover county line along 421 or Rocky Point at I-40 brings more options outside of sending travelers to Pender County beach towns or Burgaw.
Jordan agreed and favored adding to the Pender County tax base as people who stay in the county lines also will need to eat, shop and spend money there.
“Anything we can do within reason to allow more hotel development here, even for workers who come in and are working for the county — right now, they stay in Burgaw or go to Wilmington,” Jordan said.
Rob Satterfield believed building lodging near an employment base also could account for fewer vehicles on the road that have to travel from afar and therefore alleviate traffic congestion.
“Did you guys come up with this or has someone expressed interest?” Satterfield asked Norris about potential hotels scouting the area.
The long-range planning team found the need by researching the county’s UDO, assessing current zoning and underutilized parts, she explained. Hotels appeared to fit most appropriately for now in industrial transitional and general industrial zoning districts. Norris pointed again to I-40.
“Especially because of its location next to Highway 210, I thought someone may want to take advantage of putting a hotel there,” Norris said. “I don’t know about you all, but when I’m traveling late at night, it’s just nice to get one off the interstate. That was part of the thought process.”
Planning board member Brett Keeler expected it would also reduce pressure on other commercial areas filled with nonvacancies. It could also boost tourism to a lacking region of western Pender County.
Norris agreed and added once hotels are built, usually restaurants and other businesses follow.
No one spoke during the public hearing and the zoning text amendment passed.
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