Design Adjustment Committee Meeting – January 15, 2025
Design Adjustment Committee Meeting – January 15, 2025
The Design Adjustment Committee of the City of Wilmington met on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Rob Gordon with a quorum present. The committee reviewed and voted on two agenda items: a request for design adjustments for Still Meadow Village Apts. and a continuance request for Vista Verde. The meeting adjourned at 1:51 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (December 11/13, 2024): The committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The agenda listed the minutes as December 11, 2024, but the minutes refer to the regular meeting of December 13, 2024. The motion to approve carried 5-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Nicole Hozart (5211 Gatepost Lane) expressed concerns about potential flooding and the height of proposed buildings. She noted that the new buildings would be directly behind her property and questioned environmental impact studies. Staff clarified that stormwater and flooding issues would be addressed during the Technical Review Committee (TRC) process and that the separate rezoning request would be heard by City Council on February 4, 2025.
Discussion Items
- Vista Verde (5651 Greenville Loop Rd.) – The applicant, Chauncey Archer (Brick and Mojo), requested a continuance to February 19, 2025, after planning staff identified additional variances needed. The committee granted the continuance unanimously (5-0).
- Still Meadow Village Apts. (4504 & 4632 Still Meadow Drive) – The applicant (Cindee Wolf) requested design adjustments to exceed the maximum private driveway length allowed by the Technical Standards & Specifications Manual (TSSM). The site is 27.01 acres zoned MD-10. The three proposed driveways would have lengths of 770 feet, 920 feet, and 1,580 feet, each exceeding the 500‑foot standard. The applicant argued that the extensions would improve site circulation by connecting dead-end parking lots into looped driveways and enhance emergency access. The committee discussed the improved circulation and lack of reasonable alternatives for public street extensions.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to approve the Still Meadow Village design adjustments passed 5-0, citing improved circulation and lack of reasonable alternatives for public street extensions. The waiver addresses the maximum private driveway length standard.
- Motion to continue Vista Verde to the February 19, 2025 agenda passed 5-0.
- Approval of the December minutes passed 5-0 (noting the date discrepancy between the agenda and the minutes).
- No further business was discussed.
Meeting Transcript
We'll bring the meeting of the design adjustment committee to order. Before we get started, I have to read an introduction. The design adjustment committee's purpose is to establish clear and measurable review criteria for the consideration of major deviations from the city's technical standards and specifications, building design, material standards, and subdivision standards. The committee does not consider housing type, cost of the proposed unit, occupants, building material, unit size, number of bedrooms, or the architectural design of the structures. These hearings are quasi judicial evidentiary hearings. That means they're like court hearing, with committee's decisions are constrained by the standards and the ordinance and based on the facts presented. All variance requests require four fifths vote of the committee to grant the variance. Appeals of the design adjustment committee are to superior court. The parties in these cases are entitled to an impartial board. If a board member has a fixed opinion on the matter, a financial interest in the outcome, a close relationship with the affected person, or has had any ex parte communication about the matter. Please disclose that information to determine if a recusal is necessary. City staff will introduce the proposed project to the committee and design adjustment committee members may ask questions. The applicant may present additional information about the project and members may ask questions. If anyone wishes to provide evidence at today's hearing, witnesses must sign in at the clipboard in the back of the room and be sworn in. Because witnesses are to provide sworn testimony. Please focus on the facts and standards, not personal preference or opinion. When a witness comes forward to give testimony, please come to the podium, state your name and address for the record, and speak clearly. At this time, staff will administer the oath for all individuals who intend to provide witness testimony. If I could have all staffed applicants and members of the public, please stand up and raise your right hand. Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Thank you. The first item on the agenda is approval of the December minutes. Has everybody had a chance to review those minutes? And if so, any comments. I have no comments. I'll make a motion to approve minutes. Second. Second. Okay. Um all in favor of approval of the minutes say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Minutes are approved. Um at this time the we are going to switch items. Um, Vista Verde has, I believe, is going to request a continuance. So to keep things moving, we're going to have them go first. Good afternoon. How are you doing? I'm uh Chauncey Archer with Brick and Mojo. Our project is Vista Verde at uh 5651 Greenville Loop Road. Um our talks with planning, they've identified a few additional waivers that they feel like we'd need to obtain in order to have our project be a success, so we're respectfully asking for a 30-day continuance at this time. Any questions? Um continue the item to the February 19th agenda. Second. All in favor of the continuance say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right.
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