Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - February 5, 2025
Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - February 5, 2025
The Wilmington Planning Commission met on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers. Chairman Jack Pollock presided with six members present (Commissioner Richard Collier absent). The commission considered four rezoning requests and one withdrawn item, all resulting in recommendation to City Council. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes – January 8, 2025: Motion to approve passed 6-0.
- Withdrawal of Item #5 (LDC Amendment): Applicant Christine Carmody requested withdrawal of the amendment to include commercial kennels in UMX as "permitted with conditions" after further due diligence determined it was unnecessary. Motion to withdraw passed 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- For each of the four rezoning items, public hearings were opened and closed with no members of the public speaking. One written comment (email) was received for Item #4 (5601 Oleander Drive) but was not read aloud. No other written comments were noted.
Discussion Items
- Item #1 - General Rezoning (102 & 104 Meares St): Staff Planner Haley Hopkins presented a request to rezone 0.14 acres from R-3 (Medium-High Density Mixed Residential) to UMX (Urban Mixed-Use). The site, located at South Front and Meares Streets, is vacant and falls within the South Side Small Area Plan which recommends UMX zoning. Applicant Christian Cardamone stated the rezoning aligns with city strategic plans and noted NCDOT interest in acquiring part of the property. Commissioners discussed the flexibility of UMX vs. R-3 zoning. Motion to approve carried 6-0.
- Item #2 - General Rezoning (6624 & 6710 Market St): Planning Manager Patrick O'Mahony presented a request to rezone 4.19 acres from R-15 (Moderate-Density Single-Dwelling) to RB (Regional Business). The property, currently used for boat storage, is surrounded by commercial uses. Access is via a 30-foot deeded easement; staff noted that frontage on a city street is not required for rezoning but will be needed for development. Applicant Henry Nadeau argued that single-family development is incongruous with the commercial corridor. Commissioners questioned the feasibility of access improvements. Motion to approve carried 6-0.
- Item #3 - Conditional District Rezoning (4717 College Acres Dr): Planner II Todd Rademacher presented a request to rezone 0.69 acres from R-5(CD) (Medium-Density Mixed Residential Conditional District) to CB(CD) (Community Business Conditional District) for a 48-space commercial parking lot. The site was previously rezoned in 2020 for two triplexes (not built). Applicant Cindee Wolf explained that the adjacent Cottages at College Acres student housing complex (397 beds) has a parking deficit of 57 spaces despite earlier code compliance. Staff recommended denial due to inconsistency with the Comprehensive Plan which discourages auto-oriented uses. Commissioners debated precedent and parking code. Motion to approve passed 4-2, with Vice-Chair Adams and Commissioner Lennon voting no.
- Item #4 - Conditional District Rezoning (5601 Oleander Dr): Todd Rademacher presented a request to rezone 6.12 acres from CB to RB(CD) for a commercial recreation facility. The proposed 40,816 sq ft two-story complex includes an arcade, bowling alley, restaurant, bar, and outdoor pickleball courts. A Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) is in process and will require signalization of the intersection and a deceleration lane, funded by the applicant. Applicant John Reece (architect) and owner David Edmonds presented detailed plans. Hours are expected to be 10 AM-10 PM weekdays, with possible extended weekend hours. No amplified outdoor music will be allowed. Commissioners praised the thorough presentation. Motion to approve carried 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: Items 1, 2, and 4 received unanimous 6-0 votes in favor. Item 3 passed 4-2 (Vice-Chair Adams and Commissioner Lennon dissenting). All four recommendations will advance to City Council.
- Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Cofer suggested monitoring parking provisions for multi-family developments near universities. Commissioner Lennon cited a citizen group email advocating for moderation in multifamily development and countered with housing supply data showing a need for 12,147 rental units over 10 years. He encouraged data-driven analysis.
- Chairman's Request: Chairman Pollock requested a review of the Commission's Rules and Procedures with staff.
- Staff Updates: Planning Director Linda Painter reported that City Council approved all January recommendations. A special meeting is proposed for April or May to receive a presentation on the draft Greater Downtown Plan. Staff declined a request for a presentation on a proposed Legacy Park at 3990 Independence Blvd., noting no active application; commissioners will be provided a link to the City Council video instead.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I'd like to call to order the uh what's the date today, the sixth the uh February meeting of the uh planning commission. At this point, I would ask you to uh please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. The United States of America and through the requirement for which it stands one nation under God with liberty and justice referral. I'll just make note of the fact that uh Commissioner Collier has been excused uh a little bit under the weather and thank him for his consideration of not wanting to make the rest of us under the weather. Uh having said that uh Mr. Attorney uh do you do you notice a quorum? Yes, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Um let me read the preamble, a couple comments, and then we'll get started. We have a pretty full agenda tonight, so let's get to it. Planning commission advises city council on applications for rezoning, land development, code amendments, street closures, and long range plans and policies. The commission holds legislative hearings, meaning that anyone wishing to speak on a request may do so. The commission issues a recommendation based on consistency of the request with the intent and purpose of the land development code and consist consistency of a request with the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan and other relevant adopted plans and policies. Uh relative to presentation of items, all matters requiring commission action will be presented to the planning commission by the staff and the applicant. In situations where the staff is the applicant, there will only be one presentation. City staff will make the first presentation, the applicant will make the second presentation. Both presentations are limited to five minutes. To maintain an orderly meeting, all presentations shall proceed without interruption unless the commission desires to intervene with questions or comments. Relative to public hearing, the chair will open the public hearing for those physically present wishing to speak about an item. Those in favor of an item shall be heard first, followed by those opposed to an item. Ten minute time limit will be allotted to each side of the discussion. A staff member will track the 10 minute time periods and will notify the speaker at the five minute mark, the one minute mark, and verbally call time when time expires. The chair in their discretion may extend these periods. All groups, organizations, neighborhoods, or similar associations desiring to comment are asked to appoint a singular spokesperson to present their concerns or point of view to the commission on each agenda item. Public has been encouraged to submit their comments in writing via a web-based form located on the City of Wilmington's websites. All comments received prior to 3 p.m. today were forwarded unedited to the to the planning commission. And I believe, Amy, there was just the one. And you all got the okay. All comments received will be delivered to city council when the item advances. All comments received will be made available to the public if requested. Relative to voting. All votes will be voice votes after proper motions are made and consistency statements read into the record. The chair will state the outcome of the vote and the action. Relative to appeals. Rezoning requests that receive an unfavorable recommendation from the planning commission may be appealed by the applicant to the Wilmington City Council. Appeals should be in the form of a letter submitted to the city to the city clerk within 10 days of this hearing tonight. Any item that is appealed will tentatively be heard by city council at the March 18th, 2025 meeting. At that point, let's move on to the agenda. And the first item is approval of minutes from the uh you know from the last meeting. Has everybody had a chance to look at the meeting the meeting minutes and is there any are there any connect corrections? Mr. Chair, um just a procedural question. Um do I abstain from the vote if I was not present? Or do you what? Do I abstain from voting if I'm not present from the previous meeting? Huh? I haven't missed a meeting in a while, so what do I vote for the minutes approval?
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