"New Bern aldermen approved the final historic preservation master plan Tuesday night in hopes of protecting historic resources and improving quality of life.

Mike Avery, director of planning and inspections, said the city received a grant in the summer of 2010 from the N.C. Historic Preservation office and the city contributed local funds to prepare its first master plan. Hanbury Preservation Consulting was hired to assist, he said.

Mary Ruffin Hanbury of the consulting firm said the vision of New Bern’s preservation programs will be to “create a distinctive and high quality of life” by balancing private rights and public values to reflect the diversity of people and resources which make the city unique."

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Sun Journal (12/17/2011)