Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - October 1, 2025
Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - October 1, 2025
The Wilmington Planning Commission met on October 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street. Chairman Jack Pollock called the meeting to order with a quorum present (six members; one excused). The meeting included approval of prior minutes, two land development code amendments, receipt of the FY2025 annual report, and election of officers. The meeting adjourned at 6:36 PM.
Approval of Minutes
- The minutes from the August 6, 2025 meeting were approved as amended (7-0) after correcting a speaker's name spelling error. Note: The agenda indicated a 6-0 vote, but the minutes record 7-0; all six present members plus the chair voted in favor.
Discussion Items
1. Land Development Code Amendment – R-3 Residential District (LDC-1-1025)
- Travis Henley, Planning Manager, presented the proposal to remove the minimum lot area requirement for duplexes, reduce rear setbacks from 15 to 10 feet, and correct a typographical error ("mixed use" misspelled as "missed use"). The amendment aims to remove barriers to missing-middle housing, allowing duplexes on existing smaller lots and conversions of single-family homes. The applicant, JC Lyle, emphasized that the change would enable senior duplexes and smaller units near services.
- Commissioners observed the change would not increase overall density but could lower construction costs and improve affordability. No public comments were received. The motion to approve passed 6-0, with a consistency statement referencing the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan.
2. Land Development Code Amendment – Food Bank as Permitted Use (LDC-2-1025)
- Kathryn Thurston, Zoning Administrator, presented the amendment to add "food bank" as a new use classification, separating it from warehousing/distribution. The amendment permits food banks by right in Regional Business and Central Business districts, and by prescribed conditions in Urban Mixed Use, Community Business, and Office & Institutional districts. Staff noted that previous classification as warehousing had caused a zoning conflict with Nourish NC.
- Commissioners praised staff's comparative research with other municipalities and acknowledged the LDC is a living document. No public comments were received. The motion to approve passed 6-0, with a consistency statement referencing the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan and city strategic plan.
Other Business
Annual Report FY2025
- Brian Chambers noted the FY2025 annual report was provided in the meeting packet for informational purposes; no formal presentation was given.
Election of Officers
- Chairman Pollock thanked the commission for his service. Commissioner Jones nominated Commissioner John Lennon for Chair; seconded and elected unanimously. Lennon then nominated Vice-Chair Danny Adams to continue; seconded and re-elected unanimously. Commissioner Pollock passed the gavel to Chairman Lennon.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes of August 6, 2025 (7-0).
- Approved LDC-1-1025 (6-0) revising R-3 dimensional standards.
- Approved LDC-2-1025 (6-0) adding food banks as a permitted use.
- Elected John Lennon as Chair and Danny Adams as Vice-Chair (both unanimous).
- The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 6, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
I'm gonna do one, but you're just good. Well, um we'll we'll see. Uh at this point I'd ask everybody to please rise and join me in a pledge of allegiance. Um Commissioner Cofer will not be joining tonight. He's on an excused absence, tending to a personal situation. So at that point, Mr. Attorney, do we have a quorum? Yes, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Let me go ahead with the usual uh preamble and such. 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 action shall 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, and city staff will make the first presentation. Applicant will make the second presentation. Both presentations are limited to five minutes each. To maintain order, all presentation shall proceed without interruption unless the commission desires to intervene with questions or comments. Just for the record, Ms. Payner, you're keeping time should should that become an issue. I'm looking at JC here. It's like, yeah, yeah, I know. That's what I did. I looked over here and I just like, oh no, she's not there. Um public hearing. The chair will open the hearing for those physically present wishing to speak about an item. Uh those in favor shall be heard shall shall be heard first, followed by those opposed to an item. A 10 minute time will be allowed for public comment in favor of an item. 10 minutes will be allowed for opposition. Staff member will track the 10 minute periods. We establish that Ms. Painters that person. Chair, in their discretion, may extend these time periods. All groups, organizations, neighborhoods, or similar associations desiring to comment are asked 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 a web-paste form located on the Wilmington's website. All comments received prior to 3 p.m. today were forwarded unedited to the planning commission. Amy, I'm just gonna double check. No, you have nothing. Okay, thank you. All comments received will be delivered to council with the when the item advances. All comments received will be made available to the public if requested. Uh all voice all votes will be voice votes after the proper motions are made. The chair will state the outcome of the vote and the action. Appeal statement. Rezoning requests that receive unfavorable recommendation from the commission may be appealed by the applicant to the Wilmington City Council. Appeals will 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 city council on October 21st. At that point, um, let's go to the next item on the agenda, which is the approval of minutes from last meeting.
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