Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - December 3, 2025
Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - December 3, 2025
The Wilmington Planning Commission met on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM in the City Council Chambers. The commission considered a revised Land Development Code amendment for the R-3 residential district, approved the October 2025 meeting minutes, and discussed the 2026 meeting calendar and other business.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes – October 1, 2025: After a correction (rear setback vs. side setback), the minutes were approved by a unanimous roll-call vote (7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition. No written comments were received.
Discussion Items
- Land Development Code Amendment (LDC-3-1225): Planning Director Linda Painter presented a staff-initiated revision to amend dimensional standards and duplex design standards in the R-3 residential district. The original applicant-initiated proposal (unanimously recommended in October) to eliminate minimum lot area for duplexes was withdrawn after staff identified potential unintended consequences, including state statute restrictions on reducing development intensity. The revised proposal uses an incentive approach: reduce minimum lot area for duplexes from 4,000 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft, but only if four building orientation standards are met:
- A. Facade oriented to the primary street, consistent with the block face.
- B. At least one primary entrance facing the primary street.
- C. A front porch at least 8 feet deep and 50% of the front facade width.
- D. For properties in National Register Historic Districts: glazing (windows/transparency) covering at least 25% of the front facade. Existing dwellings (or those permitted as of January 6, 2026) are exempt from standards C and D. Requests for adjustments would go to the Design Adjustment Committee (DAC), which may approve if one or more criteria are met (e.g., unnecessary hardship, conformity with adopted plans). Staff found the amendment consistent with the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan, increasing housing options while preserving neighborhood character. Commissioners expressed concerns about the specificity of the front porch standard (C) and the need for DAC review, but ultimately supported the amendment after discussion.
- 2026 Meeting and Submission Deadline Calendar: Unanimously approved (7-0).
Key Outcomes
- Motion to Approve LDC Amendment (LDC-3-1225): Commissioner Collier moved approval, citing consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and public interest. Seconded by Commissioner Pollack. The motion passed unanimously (7-0) on a roll-call vote.
- 2026 Calendar: Approved unanimously (7-0).
- Staff Updates: Approved projects by City Council include the 100% affordable housing development on Market Street (Azalea Inn) and two duplexes on Raitsville Avenue. Staff noted upcoming work on a tree ordinance proposal and ongoing public engagement for the Greater Downtown Plan.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, I'd like to call the December third City of Wilmington Planning Commission to order. If you would all please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Under God and justice for all. For the record, Commissioner Jones will be here momentarily. Mr. Attorney, do we have a quorum present? Yes, Mr. Chair. Thank you very much. The 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 consistency of a request with the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan and other relevant adopted plans and policies. For the presentation of items, all matters requiring commission action shall be presented to the planning commission by the planning staff and the applicant. In situations where the planning staff is the applicant, there will be only one presentation. City staff will make the first presentation. The applicant will make the second presentation. To maintain an orderly meeting, all presentations shall proceed without interruption unless the commission desires to intervene with questions or comments. For the public hearings, 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. A 10 minute time will be allowed for public comment in favor of an item, and a 10 minute time will be allowed for public comment in opposition to an item. A staff member will track the 10 minute time periods and will notify the speaker at the five minute mark, one minute mark, and verbally call time when time expires. The chair and their discretion may extend these time periods. Excellent. I'm not sure it's going to be relevant, but 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-based form located on the City of Wilmington's website. All comments received prior to 3 p.m. today were forwarded unedited to the planning commission. 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. Ms. Bradshaw, I'm assuming we didn't get any. That's correct. Thank you. Voting. All votes will be roll call 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. Rezoning requests that receive an unfavorable recommendation from the planning commission may be appealed to the by the applicant to the Wilmington City Council. Appeal should be in the form of a letter submitted to the city within clerk within 10 days of this hearing. Any item that is appealed will tentatively be heard by city council at the January 20th, 2026 meeting. All right. Any commissioners have any comments, corrections? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the minutes. I'm sorry, excuse the call. Commissioner Coach. Sorry to interrupt. I was not at the meeting. But um I was using this these minutes to keep bring up this get me up to speed on the agenda item for tonight. And it's that in the minutes, it says the reduced aside setbacks from 15 to 10. I think it was meant to be the rear setback from the October meeting.
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