The Wilmington Planning Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. The commission addressed four new business items, approved the minutes from May 7, 2025, discussed updates to the Rules of Procedure, and began a subcommittee process to review the use of Special Use Permits (SUPs). All votes were unanimous (7‑0) unless otherwise noted.
Good evening. I'm going to call to order the uh what day you say the June 10 June 4th uh meeting of the Planning Commission. At this point, I would ask you all to please rise and join me in a pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Um Commissioner Jones, as I understand, has just walked into the room. So that is timing is everything. Um Mr. Attorney, do we have a quorum? Yes, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Allow me to read the following procedure statement. 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. Both presentations are limited to five minutes each. Followed by those opposed by an item. Staff member, Ms. Painter will keep uh track of the 10 minute time periods and notify the speaker at the five minute mark, one minute mark, and verbally um call time. The chair may extend these time periods as I said. Groups and organizations present and desiring to comment are asked to appoint a spokesperson to present their concerns or point of view to the commission. Public has been encouraged to submit their comments in writing via a web paged form located on the city manager's website. All comments received prior to 3 p.m. today were forwarded unedited to the planning commission. Amy, I'm assuming we've had no uh emails from or comments from anything. None. Okay. Um all comments received are delivered to city council as the item advances. Votes uh votes will be voice votes after proper motions are made and consistency statements are read into the record. The chair will state the outcome of the vote and the action. If there is an appeal, rezoning requests that receive an unfavorable recommendation may be appealed by the applicant to the Wilmington City Council. Appeal should be in the form of a letter submitted to the city clerk within 10 days of this hearing. Any item that is appealed will tentatively be heard by the city council at their July 15 meeting. Um at that point, let me move on. And uh first thing is I need approval of the minutes from last meeting. So uh commissioners, any uh inputs, additions. Commissioner Lennon. Um thank you, Mr. Chairman. On page four, third paragraph from the bottom. I just don't remember anybody saying this, and uh I just if if you all do please correct me. The reference or the says others maintain that this shift aligns with modern best practices and trends and other North Carolina municipalities such as Charlotte, Oak Island, and Wrightsville Beach, which are either reducing or eliminating SUPs. I just don't remember anybody saying aligns with modern best practices and trends. Does anybody remember that? Commissioner Adams. I feel like that was coming from staff and not the commission. That was that was my recollection. And in the the um I I know the reference to those municipalities was I just it's a picky thing. I just don't remember that term being used in the minutes or in the in the dialogue, excuse me.