City of New Bern planning board outlines public-comment rules and process for three rezoning requests

Jessica Ru, director of development services for the City of New Bern, opened the planning and zoning board meeting with procedural guidance and staff introductions for a capacity audience. "I am Jessica Ru. I am the director of development services," she said, noting her tenure began in January 2023 and that staff's role is to provide the plan and supporting documents to help the board assess consistency with the land use plan.

Ru told attendees the board is advisory: it will recommend whether requested zoning changes align with the adopted land use plan, but the Board of Aldermen has final authority. She advised that once this board makes a recommendation, the item typically moves to a public hearing with notification required under state statute 160D. "Tonight is simply public comment," she said, and added that the items could be scheduled for a public hearing "as early as November 10th."