Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - March 5, 2025
Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - March 5, 2025
The Wilmington Planning Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting focused on one new business item: a land development code amendment to restore a height exception for hospitals. The commission also received updates on traffic data resources and recent City Council actions. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes – February 5, 2025: The minutes were approved as amended with a 7-0 vote after correcting a misspelling of the applicant's name on page 2 (changed to "Cardamone").
- Recusal of Vice-Chair Danny Adams: Vice-Chair Adams recused himself from the LDC amendment item due to a professional conflict. The recusal motion carried 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the public hearing for the LDC amendment. The hearing was opened and closed with no comment.
Discussion Items
- LDC Amendment (LDC-6-325) – Height Exception for Hospitals: Assistant Planning Director Brian Chambers presented a staff-initiated amendment to amend City Code Chapter 18, Section 18-423. The amendment restores a height exception for hospitals that existed in the legacy code (2005), allowing hospitals a maximum height of 150 feet in any district where they are permitted, subject to prescribed conditions and step-back provisions (one foot of setback per foot of height above the base height from any front or side lot line, and from all lot lines when adjacent to a residential district). The current code limits hospitals in the O&I district to 96 feet. New Hanover Regional Medical Center is the only facility that previously used the exception (last expansion in 2017 at 104 feet). Staff noted that the 100-foot building setback already exceeds the current 96-foot height limit. Commissioner Lennon confirmed the amendment applies to all hospitals and that FAA/airport restrictions remain in place. After discussion, the commission voted 6-0 to approve.
- Items from the Commission – Traffic Data Resources: Commissioner John Lennon informed the commission about traffic count data available from NCDOT and the Wilmington MPO. He noted that historical counts show traffic on roads like Oleander Drive decreasing as relief routes (e.g., Independence Boulevard, I-140) are built, indicating the system is managing growth. He plans to provide a follow-up report after the Military Cutoff extension is completed. Commissioner Ace Cofer asked about data collection methods (road sensors) and adjustments for anomalies. Commissioner Lennon noted the data is adjusted for accuracy and that trends like the COVID-19 drop are visible.
- Items from Staff – Recent City Council Actions and Upcoming Plans: Planning Director Linda Painter reported that City Council approved four land use items from the February Planning Commission meeting: a commercial parking lot on College Acres Drive, an entertainment complex on Oleander Drive, and general rezonings on Meares Street and Market Street. She also noted that City Council adopted a substitute resolution (mayor's substitute motion) regarding a bridge. Chairman Pollock mentioned that the attorney's office is reviewing Rules and Procedures for all boards, with possible changes coming. A special meeting to review the downtown plan is being scheduled for April.
Key Outcomes
- LDC Amendment Approved (6-0): The commission recommends approval of the height exception for hospitals. The amendment will advance to City Council.
- Minutes Approved as Amended (7-0).
- Recusal of Vice-Chair Adams (6-0).
- Traffic Data Report: Commissioner Lennon will provide a follow-up on Military Cutoff extension traffic counts.
- Special Meeting: Staff to schedule a special meeting on the downtown plan in April.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call to order the uh March meeting of the uh Wilmington Planning Commission. Uh with those that are in the House please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. A pledge of leading the United States of America. Um, do we have a quorum? I notice we have no absences. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Okay. Um let me read the following preamble and then we'll move on. Planning commission advises 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 consistency of a request with the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan and other relevant adopted plans and policies. All matters requiring commission action shall be presented to the planning commission by the staff and the applicant. In situations where the planning staff is the applicant, there will only be one presentation. City staff will make the first presentation, applicant will make the second. Both presentations are limited to five minutes each. To maintain an orderly meeting, all presentations shall proceed without interruption unless the commission desires to intervene with questions or comments. The chair will open the public hearing for those physically present wishing to speak on an item. Those in favor of an item shall be heard first, followed by those opposed. Both sides of the equation will get 10 minutes each. Um Ms. Painter is the timekeeper tonight. Staff member will, and that is the staff member who will track the 10-minute time periods. Chair at uh my discretion may extend these time periods. All groups, organizations, neighborhoods or similar associations desiring to comment or ask to appoint one spokesperson to present their concerns or point of view to the commission on each agenda item. The public has been encouraged to submit their comments in writing via web-based form located on the city managers on the city of Wilmington's website. All comments received prior to 3 p.m. today were forwarded unedited to get it unedited to the planning commission. Amy, I'm assuming we have none. Okay. All comments received will be delivered to city council. Uh when the item advances, all comments received shall be made available to the public if requested. Voting will be voice votes after proper motions are made. The chair will state the outcome of the vote and the action. Uh any appeals uh on 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 clerk within 10 days of this hearing. Any item that is appealed uh will tentatively be heard by city council at their April 15 meeting. Uh having said all that, let's move forward. Um first item is the approval of the minutes from last uh meeting. Uh any additions, comments. Uh Commissioner Kofer. Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, on page two, um, that applicant's name is Cardamone. Uh C-A-R-D-A-M-O-N-E. So just uh paragraph eight and nine. He just had a misspelling of the name. That was my only comment. Amy, you got that one? Okay.
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