Rich Blankenship

This 5-year Strategic Plan for Pender County outlines a roadmap developed with input from county managers, employees, and the public. It focuses on five key goals: Supporting Schools & Education, Enhancing Public Safety, Strategic Growth & Infrastructure Planning, Enhancing Public Communication, and Internal Development & Retention. The plan aims to guide actions and decision-making for a sustainable, growing community that honors its heritage, preserves natural beauty, and fosters a high quality of life through responsible stewardship of resources and exceptional public service.

The document outlines the schedule of rules, standards, and values for appraising property in Pender County, effective January 1, 2026. It details the components of a reappraisal, including data management, sales analysis, and valuation systems. The document also covers statutory requirements, definitions of real property, and the powers and duties of the assessor. Additionally, it discusses appraisal theory, the concept of property, and the nature and meaning of value, including market value and value in use. The document further explains traditional approaches to value, such as the cost approach, sales comparison approach, and income approach, along with property valuation techniques.

This Preferred Development Guide for Pender County outlines strategies to balance development with the protection of natural assets and achieve green growth. It emphasizes guiding principles of protecting, connecting, and buffering wildlife habitat, and highlights the importance of green growth for fiscal sustainability, property values, stormwater resilience, wildlife habitat, sense of place, and public health. The guide proposes environmentally responsible site design elements, including conservation subdivisions and nature-based infrastructure, alongside incentive-based and regulatory-based approaches to promote sustainable development practices and ensure long-term prosperity for both the community and the environment.

The Imagine Pender 2050 Comprehensive Plan outlines a long-term vision for Pender County's physical development, land use, and conservation through 2050. It is structured around nine key goals: Sustainable and Managed Growth, Planned Public Facilities & Services, Expanded Economic Opportunities, Attainable Housing Choices, Supported Agricultural and Working Lands, Safe and Efficient Transportation, Environmental Conservation and Resilience, Community Unity and Civic Engagement, and Enhanced Quality of Life and Community Health. The plan aims to guide growth while preserving natural resources and rural character, ensuring robust infrastructure, fostering economic prosperity, providing diverse housing, and enhancing community well-being and civic engagement.

The meeting included the election of a chair and vice chair, followed by a discussion and approval of a zoning map amendment for a parcel to rezone it from a plan development zoning district to the general business zoning district. The board also discussed and approved a recombination plat to reconfigure two parcels.