33.43
Acres Proposed for Rezoning
The request covers 33.43 acres located at 1305 Millpond Road.
THE ISSUE
This Is a Rezoning Decision — Not Just a Subdivision Proposal
Rezoning Request #26-03 concerns approximately 33.43 acres at 1305 Millpond Road in Pasquotank County. The applicant has indicated an intent to develop a major residential subdivision. Major residential subdivisions are not permitted under the property's current A-1 Agricultural zoning.
Approving the rezoning would change the permitted use of the property and open the door to residential development that county staff estimates could include as many as 30 homes under the zoning and septic assumptions described in the staff analysis.
Our position: the rezoning should be denied. At a minimum, no rezoning should move forward until the county has fully evaluated the impacts associated with converting land designated Agricultural/Rural to residential subdivision use.
WHAT THE COUNTY'S OWN ANALYSIS SAYS
The Facts Behind Rezoning Request #26-03
A-1
Current Agricultural Zoning
The property is currently zoned A-1 Agricultural, a district intended to retain large, open land areas and limit incompatible development.
30
Potential Homes
County staff estimated a maximum anticipated density of approximately 30 homes based on the residential zoning and lot-size assumptions described in the analysis.
NO
Land-Use Plan Consistency
The county's 2023 Land Use Plan classifies the site as Agricultural/Rural. Staff states that the proposed rezoning is not consistent with that classification.
THE COUNTY STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Record Already Raises a Fundamental Problem
The county staff analysis states that most of Newland Township should remain agricultural and rural, finds the rezoning inconsistent with the Future Land Use Classification Map, and recommends that the Board find the rezoning not reasonable and not in the public interest.
This matters because the requested change is not simply about placing homes on vacant land. It would change land specifically classified by the county as Agricultural/Rural into land available for major residential subdivision development.
QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD BE ANSWERED FIRST
Major Land-Use Changes Deserve a Complete Review
The four-page county staff analysis identifies the zoning request, surrounding land uses, flood-zone status, land-use classification, anticipated residential density and staff recommendation. It does not identify detailed studies addressing several practical impacts that can accompany a new subdivision.
Stormwater & Drainage
How will roads, driveways, roofs and other new impervious surfaces change runoff and drainage onto neighboring properties and agricultural land?
Septic & Groundwater
If homes rely on septic systems, what site-specific evaluation has been completed regarding soils, septic suitability, groundwater and cumulative impacts?
Traffic & Road Safety
What will additional daily vehicle trips mean for Millpond Road, access points, school traffic, emergency response and rural-road safety?
Agricultural Compatibility
What protections will prevent future conflicts between residential development and existing agricultural uses involving livestock, equipment, dust, noise, odors, fencing and normal farm operations?
Environmental Effects
What review has been completed for wetlands, habitat, erosion, water quality and other site-specific environmental conditions beyond the staff report's flood-zone determination?
Long-Term Precedent
If land designated Agricultural/Rural can be rezoned despite the adopted land-use plan, what precedent does that set for similar agricultural property throughout Newland Township?
THE PETITION
Ask Pasquotank County to Deny Rezoning Request #26-03
To the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners and appropriate county officials:
We, the undersigned, respectfully oppose Rezoning Request #26-03 concerning approximately 33.43 acres at 1305 Millpond Road.
The county's own planning analysis identifies this property as Agricultural/Rural under the 2023 Pasquotank County Land Use Plan, states that the proposed rezoning is inconsistent with that classification, and recommends that the rezoning be found not reasonable and not in the public interest.
The applicant has indicated an intent to use the property for a major residential subdivision, with county staff estimating that the rezoned property could accommodate as many as 30 homes under the assumptions stated in the analysis.
Before agricultural land is permanently converted to residential subdivision use, the public deserves a complete evaluation of the consequences, including stormwater and drainage, septic and groundwater impacts, traffic and road safety, environmental conditions, compatibility with surrounding agricultural uses, and the long-term effect on the county's adopted land-use plan.
For these reasons, we ask the County to deny Rezoning Request #26-03. If the County is unwilling to deny the request at this time, we ask that any decision be deferred until these issues have been fully evaluated in a transparent public process.
ADD YOUR NAME
Sign the Petition
Sign below to ask Pasquotank County to deny Rezoning Request #26-03 or defer action until the impacts of the proposed residential subdivision have been fully evaluated.
SOURCE
Built From the County's Public Record
The facts summarized on this site are based on the Pasquotank County Planning & Inspections Department staff analysis for Rezoning Request #26-03, prepared for Planning Board review on August 20, 2026.
Note: Page 1 of the county packet describes the requested residential district as R-15, while the zoning description, staff comments and final recommendation on subsequent pages identify R-25A. This site therefore refers generally to the proposed residential rezoning except where describing the county's later analysis.
Share the Facts. Ask for Responsible Land Use.
This issue affects more than one property. It concerns how Pasquotank County applies its adopted land-use plan and how major residential development is evaluated in agricultural and rural areas.