Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting – March 4, 2026
Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting – March 4, 2026
The Wilmington Planning Commission met on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 5:55 PM in the City Council Chambers. Commissioners Woodruff, Jones, and Kofer were absent and excused. The commission considered two rezoning requests and approved both, with one passing 3-1.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes – February 4, 2026: Motion to approve passed 4-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 2 (910 S. 8th Street): A written comment from Mr. Sunberg of 23 Forest Hills Drive was received and entered into the record. No speakers appeared in favor or in opposition.
- Item 1 (4118 Market Street): No public comments were submitted or spoken.
Discussion Items
General Rezoning – 910 S. 8th Street (Z-3-326)
Staff presented a request to rezone a .125-acre lot from R-5 (medium-density mixed residential) to UMX (Urban Mixed-Use). The site currently contains a single-family home. The applicant, Cindy Wolf, stated the intent is to combine the lot with an adjacent approved 18-unit mixed-use project for additional parking. Commissioner Paul questioned the general rezoning approach and potential loss of homeownership, while Commissioner Collier noted limited parking on site. Staff found the proposal consistent with the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan. The commission voted unanimously (4-0) to approve, deeming it reasonable and in the public interest.
Conditional Rezoning – 4118 Market Street (CD-4-126)
Staff presented a request to rezone a 1.26-acre former hotel (76 rooms) from RB (Regional Business) to MD-17 (CD) for a 76-unit studio apartment conversion. The applicant, Nicholas Silivanch, proposed 20 workforce housing units at 80% AMI for 15 years. Staff recommended denial, citing insufficient amenities and open space, and noting that the site had previously received three variances from the Board of Adjustment (density, open space, parking). The applicant argued that the units are naturally affordable (estimated rent $1,050–$1,075/month inclusive of utilities) and that similar adaptive reuses (Vivo Wilmington, River City Studio Suites) have high occupancy. Commissioners debated the number of variances, the parking ratio (68 spaces for 76 units), and the lack of an adaptive reuse code. Commissioner Collier supported approval citing immediate housing need; Commissioner Adams voted no, citing a “square peg in a round hole” regarding code compliance. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve with the seven conditions in the packet plus additional conditions 2–5 (sidewalk connection, street trees, streetscape landscaping, monument sign). The motion passed 3-1 (Collier yes, Adams no, Pollock yes, Chair yes).
Key Outcomes
- 910 S. 8th Street: Approved 4-0 for rezoning to UMX.
- 4118 Market Street: Approved 3-1 for conditional rezoning to MD-17 (CD) with conditions including 20 workforce housing units, a pedestrian connection, street trees, landscaping, and monument signage.
- The commission will continue internal discussions on administrative procedures and fee schedules (Commissioner Pollock).
- Staff noted that City Council approved a rezoning from the February meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Once we get through everything we'll find out what we got. Good evening, I'd like to call the March fourth So you won't be complaining commission meeting to order and ask that you all join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. I'd like to note that Commissioners Woodruff, Jones, and Kofer are absent. All with all spoke to me and are excused. Mr. Attorney, do we have a quorum? And just to be clear for the chairman, just for the applicants in the room, a tie vote is a no vote. Is that correct? That is correct. I just want to make sure. Okay. Um the planning commission advises city council on applications for rezoning, land development code amendments, street closures, and long range plans and policies. Commission holds legislative hearings, meaning that anyone wishing to speak on a request may do so. 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 planning 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, the applicant will make the second presentation. To maintain an orderly meeting, all presentations shall proceed without interruption until 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 limit will be allowed for public comment in favor of an item, and a 10 minute time limit 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, one minute mark, five and one minute mark, and verbally call time when time expires. Who's our timekeeper tonight? Thank you, Ms. Painter. The chair and 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-based form located on the city of Wilmington's website. All comments received prior to 3 p.m. were today, but prior to 3 p.m. today were forwarded, unedited to the planning commission. And just for the record, we did receive one from Miss Bradshaw. Is there any others? No, just the one. Thank you. All comments received will be delivered to City Council when the item advances. All comments received will also be made available to the public if requested. All votes will be roll call votes after proper motions are made and consistency statements read into the record, and 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 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 City Council at the April 21st, 2026 meeting. First uh item of business is approval of the minutes from the last meeting. Are there any comments? Corrections to the minutes. If not, do I hear a motion to accept make a motion to accept the minutes from last month? I second and I second. Thank you. All in favor? Aye.
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