Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - May 6, 2026

The Wilmington Planning Commission met on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers to consider two major items: the adoption of the Greater Downtown Plan as an appendix to the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan, and a package of amendments to the Land Development Code (LDC). Commissioners heard a detailed presentation from Planning & Development Director Linda Painter, received public comments, and voted unanimously to recommend approval of both items. Commissioner Callier was excused.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes – April 1, 2026: Motion to approve passed 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Greater Downtown Plan:
  • Natalie English, President/CEO of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor. She commended staff for engagement but expressed frustration that job creation was consistently ranked lowest in surveys. She urged caution on focusing taller development only on the northern riverfront, and emphasized that the central business district must remain the region's economic center. She also warned that demands on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement could risk losing state funding, advocating for a "seat at the table" rather than prescriptive conditions.
  • Christina Haley, President/CEO of Wilmington Downtown Incorporated, spoke in favor. She noted serving on the steering committee and praised the community engagement. She asked for connectivity between the central business district and north end, and emphasized the significant tax revenue generated downtown ($1.18 million in property tax, over $3 million in city/county taxes, plus occupancy tax). She hoped the plan would help offset residential tax burdens.
• LDC Amendments: No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Greater Downtown Plan Adoption: Linda Painter presented a comprehensive overview of the three-year planning process, which engaged over 6,300 people through surveys, focus groups, and community events. The plan covers 18 neighborhoods within the city's 1945 corporate limits plus Love Grove, replacing three older plans. Four themes emerged: Local Character, Economy, Small Business, and Mobility, with a cross-cutting Resilience theme. Key community priorities included safe walking/biking, green spaces, affordable housing, support for existing businesses, and parking once to explore downtown. The plan also includes a section on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement, recommending design options that minimize impacts on downtown (e.g., a movable span). The consultant budget was $350,000. Commissioners raised several points:

  • Commissioner Pollock criticized calling it a "plan," calling it a "statement of aspirations." He stressed the need for a clear definition of affordable housing, questioned how non-downtown residents would be sold on funding, and asked about rail mobility. He also questioned the bridge's inclusion in a downtown plan.
  • Commissioner Koffer noted the 1945 corporate limits boundary and asked about parks (28 in study area). He cautioned against plan language becoming a regulatory burden and raised concerns about food truck regulations and the term "authentic."
  • Commissioner Jones asked about grocery stores/pharmacies; Painter confirmed actions on food security and using public lands.
  • Commissioner Adams supported the plan, noting its flexibility and need for a seat at the table on the bridge, but not overly prescriptive language.
  • Commissioner Woodruff commended the work, focusing on implementation.
  • Commissioner Pollock also suggested removing the bridge slide, but after discussion, the majority felt it was an important downtown issue. The commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval with the consistency statement read by Commissioner Adams.

• Item 2 – LDC Amendments: Linda Painter presented a maintenance package addressing:

  1. Administrative provisions: Removing a 6-month waiting period for refiling denied zoning applications (required by state statute), updating submittal requirements to reflect current practice (no more maps or stamped envelopes).
  2. Dimensional requirements: Correcting an omission for townhouse minimum lot area in R7 district (adding 3,500 sq ft).
  3. Height exceptions: Adding elevator rooms and mechanical equipment rooms to the list of features exempt from height limits.
  4. Floodplain management: Moving more restrictive provisions to general standards section, and limiting pool/spa requirements to coastal high-hazard zones (with addition of state model ordnance language requiring flotation calculations assuming pools empty).
  5. Typographical errors: Fixing "in" to "in" and "Cul de Act" to "Cul de Sac". Commissioners asked about HVAC/mechanical rooms, antenna height, and pool elevation language. Commissioner Koffer questioned the practicality of elevating in-ground pools; staff clarified it comes from the state model ordnance and will seek further guidance. Commissioner Cofer noted the pre-meeting work session. The commission voted 6-0 to approve with an amendment adding mechanical equipment and elevator rooms to the height exception and including the new state pool language.

Key Outcomes

• Greater Downtown Plan: Motion to recommend approval as an appendix to the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan passed 6-0 on a roll call vote (Commissioner Callier absent). The consistency statement noted the plan is consistent with the Comp Plan and updates three older area plans. The recommendation will go to City Council for final adoption.
• LDC Amendments: Motion to approve with modifications (adding mechanical equipment/elevator rooms to height exceptions and including state model ordnance pool language) passed 6-0 on roll call. The consistency statement cited correction of errors and issues from implementation. The ordinance will go to City Council.
• Other Business: Commissioner Pollock requested formation of a subcommittee (Pollock, Jones, Collier, staff) to review commission process (what items come to the commission and why). He also relayed a citizen inquiry about requiring solar panels on new buildings; staff clarified the process for submitting LDC amendments, with the next deadline in July and a required pre-application meeting.