Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - July 8, 2026
Wilmington Planning Commission Meeting - July 8, 2026
The Wilmington Planning Commission met on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The commission considered two conditional district rezoning requests and approved both unanimously. No members of the public spoke at either public hearing, but written comments were received for the first item.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (June 3, 2026): Motion to approve passed 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 1 (524 S. College Road): No public speakers appeared. Two written comments were submitted in opposition, raising concerns about the proposed connection to University Drive and increased trip generation. These comments were forwarded to city council.
- Item 2 (1415 & 1417 42nd Street): No public speakers and no written comments were received.
Discussion Items
1. Conditional District Rezoning – 524 S. College Road (Wawa Convenience Store & Fuel Pumps)
- Proposal: Rezone 1.76 acres from O&I (Office and Institutional) to CB(CD) (Community Business Conditional District) to allow a Wawa convenience store with fuel pumps and a drive-through pickup window. The site is currently vacant (former Furniture Fair building).
- Staff Presentation (Haley Hopkins): The proposal includes a right-in/right-out entrance from South College Road, a connection to University Drive via an easement, cross-access to adjacent parcels, and a landscape buffer along the residential MD-17 (mixed density) zone to the west. Impervious coverage would decrease by over 900 square feet. The traffic impact analysis (TIA) approved by the MPO showed 75% of trips are pass-by, with a 60/40 traffic split between College Road and University Drive. Staff found modest policy support and recommended approval with five conditions.
- Applicant Presentation (Sam Frank, attorney): The applicant addressed concerns raised by commissioners: the drive-through variance (138 feet from residential vs. required 200 feet) was obtained for a low-impact pickup window; the University Drive connection is owned by the applicant but requires an agreement for the final 75 feet of private road; two of three existing crepe myrtles in the right-of-way conflict with site improvements and would be relocated using commercially reasonable efforts. The TIA compared proposed trips to the most intensive uses allowed by-right (e.g., strip retail, fast-food restaurant), showing similar or lower peak-hour trips. The applicant argued the site contributes to mixed-use at a broader area scale (complementing planned multifamily to the west).
- Commission Questions & Discussion: Commissioners inquired about trip generation methodology, parking exceeding code maximum (requiring a parking study), pedestrian connectivity across College Road (discussed with NCDOT), buffering along the east side of the building, and the difficulty of saving trees that are in the NCDOT right-of-way. The applicant agreed to additional landscaping and berming to screen the building from College Road. Condition #5 was revised to require relocation of three trees unless prevented by utilities, irreparable tree damage, or NCDOT refusal.
- Motion & Vote: Commissioner Pollock moved to approve with staff conditions and the revised Condition #5 (any existing trees removed within the right-of-way must be relocated on site unless: 1) existing utilities prevent relocation, 2) moving the trees would cause irreparable damage, or 3) the current owner (NCDOT) does not allow relocation). Seconded by Commissioner Cofer. Vote: 6-0 in favor.
2. Conditional District Rezoning Modification – 1415 & 1417 42nd Street (Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern, Barbershop, Plant Shop)
- Proposal: Modify an existing RB(CD) (Regional Business Conditional District) approved in 2022 to expand permitted uses beyond the original three (nightclub, personal service, retail plant shop) to include: restaurant, food catering, artisan food/beverage production, small-scale general retail, general personal services, offices, studios, performing arts, fine arts, dance, martial arts, and recreation facility. No site plan changes or building expansions are proposed.
- Staff Presentation (Tucker Cherry): The site is 0.45 acres on 42nd Street between Oleander Drive and Park Avenue. Existing uses include Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern, a barbershop, and a plant shop. The surrounding area includes single-family homes and commercial uses. The request is intended to provide flexibility for future tenants without requiring new rezoning each time. Staff found modest policy support and recommended approval.
- Applicant Presentation (Matt Hearn): The applicant stated the goal is long-term flexibility for small-scale commercial uses compatible with the neighborhood. The barbershop tenant is considering leaving, and finding a new barber is difficult; allowing other uses would help fill the space without physical changes. He noted no complaints since the 2022 approval.
- Commission Questions & Discussion: Commissioners asked about the rationale for the extensive list of uses and confirmed that no physical changes are planned. The commission noted the lack of public opposition as evidence the applicant has managed the site well.
- Motion & Vote: Commissioner Cofer moved to approve with staff conditions, finding the request reasonable and in the public interest because it introduces additional goods and services while maintaining the existing character of the surrounding area. Seconded by Commissioner Woodruff. Vote: 6-0 in favor.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1 (CD-6-226): Approved 6-0. The recommendation will go to the Wilmington City Council. The applicant may appeal an unfavorable recommendation within 10 days, but the vote was favorable.
- Item 2 (CD-PC-2026-0004): Approved 6-0. Recommendation forwarded to city council.
- Other: Staff announced that the Greater Downtown Plan was unanimously adopted by city council on June 16, 2026, and the Land Development Code amendments from May were also approved. The Military Cutoff rezoning item from the previous month will be heard by city council on July 21, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call the July 8th City of Wilmington Planning Commission meeting to order and ask all please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Legislature of the United States of America. One nation under liberty and justice for all. Thank you. I believe the only absence we have is Commissioner Collyer, which is excused. He notified us previously due to a work conflict. Mr. Attorney, do we have a quorum? Yes, Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir. 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. 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 commission action shall be presented to the planning commission by the planning staff and the applicant. In situations where planning staff is the applicant, there will be only one presentation. Excuse me. City staff will make the first presentation and 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 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 and one-minute marks and verbally call time when time expires. The chair and their discretion may extend these time periods. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. We have our timekeeper. 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 the city council when the item advances, and all comments received will be made available to the public if requested. Ms. Bradshaw, I know you sent two this afternoon. Do we have any others? No, that's all that we had. Thank you. For voting, all votes will be a roll call vote 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 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 its August 18th, 2026 meeting. Hearing none, do I have a motion? I'll make a motion to approve the minutes. Second, second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Minutes are approved. For the first item of new business.
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