ENC officials opposing Senate Bill 382 zoning

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WITN) - Eastern Carolina city officials are pushing back against Senate Bill 382 and asking state lawmakers for an exemption because they say they want control of their zoning decisions.

The bill prevents cities and towns from downzoning, which involves altering zoning laws to limit the size or intensity of future developments, such as a plan Morehead City has been developing for years.

“So our Morehead City 2032, our land use development plan, that was built specifically in mind with taking into account growth that we are currently seeing as well as future growth anticipate on seeing with maintaining Morehead City character,” says Morehead City Public Information Officer Anna Smith.

Years have been spent updating its zoning rules, which haven’t been fully reviewed in over 20 years within the town.

However, with Bill 382 in place, Smith and other Morehead City officials say their ability to shape future growth is now in question.

“With this state law, that process has come to a halt,” Smith says. “We want to make sure that we’re able to serve our community the best we can.”

One resident says she hopes the town continues looking into the legislation to see what the full impacts will be.

“They [councilmen] should research and get together with focus groups and stakeholders and decide what’s best for our community,” says Morehead City resident Tammy Scott.

The Town Council is seeking an exemption so the town can move forward with its zoning updates.

“It’s more or less impacts future development and that’s not to say it would impact every future development such as housing, industry, retail, etc. But this could have long-standing implications if it stands on how it’s currently presented,” Smith states.

Smith and other officials add that, with State Bill 382 being new and established in December 2024, there is still uncertainty regarding the repercussions.

After the council passed the resolution, the request now goes to state lawmakers who will decide whether or not to exempt them.

Morehead City is not the only community facing Senate Bill 382 challenges - New Bern also held a meeting regarding the bill this week.