Residents press for berms, lot‑size guarantees and stormwater study at New Bern zoning hearing

During the public‑comment period on three rezoning applications, multiple Greenbryer residents urged the board and developer to commit to protections before construction begins. Residents described large, wooded backyards and drainage ditches they say currently act as a sponge for stormwater and wildlife habitat, and they urged recorded measures to preserve those functions once development proceeds.

“I represent Greenbryer Homeowners Association,” attorney Perry Clemens told the board, and he urged berms and vegetated buffers to reduce light, noise and runoff. Residents described previous flooding events and said clearing hundreds of acres could accelerate runoff into existing ditches and downstream channels. Commenters also raised property‑value concerns, saying much of Greenbryer was developed on larger lots (R‑15 standards) and that small‑lot development immediately behind established yards could harm home values.

City staff and the applicant repeatedly told the audience that many of those technical details — stormwater design, buffers and maintenance responsibilities — are addressed at the development‑agreement stage and through engineering and permitting. The board encouraged residents to continue engaging at the next public hearing before the Board of Aldermen and at subsequent development‑permit reviews.