Wilmington Design Adjustment Committee Meeting

Date: November 20, 2024
Time: 1:30 p.m. (called to order at 1:32 p.m.) – 3:38 p.m.
Location: City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, Wilmington, NC

The Design Adjustment Committee (DAC) considered three requests for waivers from the city's Technical Standards and Specifications Manual (TSSM). All three items were approved unanimously (5-0) after deliberation and public testimony. The meeting began with approval of the October minutes, then proceeded to agenda item 2 (due to a delay for item 1), followed by items 1 and 3.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes – October 16, 2024: Moved by Vice-Chair Vielkanowitz, seconded by Chairman Gordon. Approved 4-0 (Member Henley abstained, having not been present at the September meeting).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2 (6430 & 6436 Head Road): Two residents spoke in opposition:
  • Laura Head Lambert (6432 Head Road) argued the existing 10–11 ft wide easement is insufficient, fences prevent passing, and the proposed pull-offs are inadequate for emergency vehicles or trailers. She stated the applicant was told in 1998 that a fourth house would require widening and paving.
  • Rob McEachern emphasized safety risks for emergency vehicles on the narrow, curved, and fenced road, noting that three homes already cause frequent conflicts.
• Item 1 (901 S. Front St.): Scott Anderson, owner of adjacent property, expressed concerns about increased on-street parking on Dawson and 2nd Streets, stating the area is already heavily parked.
• Item 3 (802 N. 23rd St.): No public comments.

Discussion Items

1. 901 S. Front St. – Two Design Adjustments for a 10‑Unit Townhome Development

• Applicant: Jimmy Fentress (Stroud Engineering), representing Cape Fear Solar.
• Proposal: Construct 10 townhomes on a 2.6‑acre parcel (zoned UMX). Five shared driveways (each serving two units) proposed along Dawson Street.
• Staff Presentation: Patrick O’Mahony summarized two waivers:
  • Driveway Offset: City requires 26 ft from intersection; proposed 13 ft.
  • Driveway Taper: City requires 5‑ft taper; proposed none (slab driveway design).
• Applicant Justification: Site constraints due to maximum 10‑ft setback requirement; shared driveways minimize number of curb cuts; slab design matches existing neighborhood; garages provide off‑street parking for two vehicles per unit.
• Committee Discussion: Concerns about sightlines and safety were eased because 2nd Street has a stop condition and Dawson Street is wide (37 ft). The reduction in taper allows for better municipal service access (trash/recycling).

2. 6430 & 6436 Head Road – Two Design Adjustments for a Single‑Family Lot

• Applicant: Cindee Wolf (Lobo del Mar), representing JMG Stem Trust.
• Proposal: Construct one new single‑family dwelling on either of two vacant lots (total 1.21 acres, zoned R‑20(L)) using an existing non‑conforming private access easement.
• Staff Presentation: Zac Smith detailed two waivers:
  • Non‑standard cross‑section: Required 34‑ft easement width (proposed 11 ft) and 20‑ft paved surface (proposed 10 ft with 16‑ft gravel turnouts at two locations).
  • Maximum length: Required 400 ft; proposed 1,115 ft.
• Applicant Justification: Easement predates city annexation; fences installed by neighbors restrict width; proposed gravel widening and a city‑standard turnaround will improve safety; only one additional dwelling unit.
• Committee Discussion: Members weighed the existing constraints (fences, limited width) against the benefit of one unit. A condition was added that the applicant clear underbrush and trees from the easement. The motion included both waivers.

3. 802 N. 23rd Street – Three Design Adjustments for a Commercial Parking Expansion

• Applicant: Jeremy Blair (Paramounte Engineering), representing Merit House (warehouse/distribution).
• Proposal: Add parking to a 13.06‑acre site (zoned LI) with existing warehouse. Parking at front and rear, accessed via existing driveway on N. 23rd St.
• Staff Presentation: Patrick O’Mahony summarized three waivers:
  • Driveway Property Line Offset: Required >75 ft; proposed 28.6 ft (existing driveway location).
  • Private Driveway Length: Max 500 ft; proposed 1,375 ft (extension of existing).
  • Parking Lot Turning Radius: Required 25 ft; proposed 15 ft (front parking area).
• Applicant Justification: Site geometry and operational needs (truck traffic) necessitate the deviations; the front parking area serves only passenger vehicles; DOT review will address driveway design.
• Committee Discussion: Members noted the site is in pre‑TRC stage and that DOT approval would be required. Concerns about parking count were addressed with assurance that minimum/maximum will be met. The long driveway extension was deemed acceptable because it includes an adequate turnaround for emergency vehicles.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 – 901 S. Front St.: Both waivers approved 5‑0.
  • Waiver 1 (driveway offset to 13 ft) – motion by Vice‑Chair Vielkanowitz, seconded by Chairman Gordon.
  • Waiver 2 (no driveway taper) – motion by Chairman Gordon, seconded by Member Henley.
• Item 2 – 6430 & 6436 Head Road: Both waivers approved 5‑0 as a combined motion by Chairman Gordon, seconded by Member Seidel.
  • Condition: Applicant must provide gravel widening at two locations (16 ft wide, approx. 30 ft long), a city‑standard gravel turnaround, and clear the easement of underbrush and trees, subject to engineering and zoning review.
• Item 3 – 802 N. 23rd St.: All three waivers approved 5‑0.
  • Waiver 1 (driveway offset) – motion by Chairman Gordon, seconded by Member Henley, conditioned on DOT review and approval.
  • Waiver 2 (driveway length) – motion by Vice‑Chair Vielkanowitz, seconded by Member Coleman.
  • Waiver 3 (turning radius) – motion by Chairman Gordon, seconded by Member Henley.
• Next Meeting: The December meeting will be moved up one week to Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at City Council chambers in Thalian Hall.