The Wilmington Design Adjustment Committee (DAC) held a public meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The committee reviewed and approved the minutes from September 17, 2025, and considered two variance requests for the CFPUA wastewater treatment plant at 3436 River Road, as well as the 2026 meeting schedule. The meeting was quasi-judicial with sworn testimony. One member recused himself from the 3436 River Road item due to employment with CFPUA.
Call the um design adjustment committee meeting to order. Um, 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, manual, building design and material standards, and subdivision standards. The design adjustment committee does not consider the 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 are like a court hearing, and the committee's decisions are constrained by the standards in the ordinance and based upon the facts presented. All variants require a four-fifths vote of the committee to grant the variants. Appeals of DAC can decisions are to Superior Court. The parties to these cases are entitled to an impartial board. If a board member has a fixed opinion about the matter, a financial interest in the outcome, a close relationship with an affected person, or has had any ex parte communication about the matter, please disclose that information to determine if a recusal is necessary. The applicant may present additional information about the project, and the members may ask questions. If anyone wishes to provide evidence at today's hearing, witnesses must sign in on the back of the clipboard and be sworn in. Because witnesses are to provide sworn testimony, please focus on the facts and the 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 staff, applicant, and member of the public, please stand up and raise your right hand if you intend to speak today. Do you sorry? Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Thank you. Or comments. It it had me listed as closing the meeting. That correction has been noted. Is there a motion? I will second. All in favor of approval of the minutes say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The minutes are approved. The first item on the agenda is a uh variance request for 3436 River Road. Mr. Gordon, I'd like to recuse myself from this agenda item. Uh it was determined that being employee for CFPUA would be a conflict of interest. Okay. The applicant is requesting relief from the city standard commercial driveway apron requirements. The existing driveways are currently asphalt street style driveways. The applicant is requesting to retain the existing driveway aprons as is, and not pro is not proposing any improvements. The technical standards and specifications manual specifies the city standard commercial driveway apron requirements to include the following. Driveways shall be constructed of Portland Cement concrete. No other material will be allowed. The city technical standards require concrete commercial driveway aprons with 13-foot flares per city standard detail. The applicant has provided justification for the request and attachment three of your package. These are photos of the existing driveway aprons, and they are also included in your package. The applicant is also requesting relief to exceed the maximum length for a private driveway. The technical standards and specification manual stipulates that the maximum length of a private driveway would be no more than 500 feet, and a waiver is required. I would like to note that staff received an updated exhibit earlier this week. The original exhibit proposed a private driveway length of 766 linear feet. The updated exhibit is proposing a private driveway length of 783 linear feet to the administration's building's parking lot and 924 linear feet to the furthest proposed parking space. The exhibit before you accurately reflects the requested private driveway length. This concludes staff's presentation. I'd like my case summary to be entered in the record.