2015-10-20 Special Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33
SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 20, 2015 PAGE 397
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for a Work Session on Tuesday, October 20, 2015,
at 2:00 p.m. in the Harrell Conference Room at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government
Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present: Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Beth Dawson; Commissioner Skip
Watkins; Commissioner Woody White and Commissioner Rob Zapple.
Staff present: County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; County Manager Chris Coudriet; and Deputy Clerk to
the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell.
Chairman Barfield called the meeting to order stating the purpose of the work session is to discuss the New
Hanover County Comprehensive Plan – Chapter 4: Visualizing the Future and requested that Planning Staff provide
the presentation.
Planning and Inspections Director Chris O’Keefe thanked everyone for attending, recognized Planning
Board Chairman Donna Girardot and stated that several of the Planning Board members were unable to attend the
th
meeting due to calendar conflicts but would be receiving the information on October 28. He asked Long Range
Planners Jennifer Rigby and Dylan McDonnell to present the information on Chapter 4 of the New Hanover County
Comprehensive Plan.
PRESENTATION NEW HANOVER COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – CHAPTER 4: VISUALIZING
THE FUTURE
Long Range Planners Jennifer Rigby and Dylan McDonnell provided an overview of Chapter 4:
Visualizing the Future as follows:
Comprehensive Plan Process:
Completed to date:
Chapter 1: Authentic Participation: Public Engagement; Work Plan/Time Line
Chapter 2: Evaluating the Present: Inventory of Data; Population Projections; and
Appointment of Citizen Advisory Committee
Chapter 3: Framing the Policy: Theme Committee work process; Theme Committee
Recommendations; and Citizen Advisory Committee Recommendations
To be completed:
Chapter 4: Visualizing the Future: Visioning and Future Scenarios; Future Land Use Map
Chapter 5: Coastal Area Management Act Consideration; Areas of Environmental Concern
Chapter 6: Implementation Plan; Strategy Map; CIP Process; Plan Compliance Toolkit for
development
Future Land Use Map:
Replaces the 2006 CAMA Land Use Map
Reflects the vision established by the Goals and Implementation Strategies established in Chapter
3 of Plan NHC
Used as a guide for future development decisions (Rezonings, SUPs, Variance Requests, etc.)
Used to help determine areas that need further study (through Small Area Plans)
Used to help create new zoning classifications and districts in the new Unified Development
Ordinance
Big Changes:
No Urban Services Boundary
Mixed Use Development is the predominant focus
Land Use is not restricted by existing infrastructure (i.e. new roads, water, sewer, etc.)
Future Land Use Map Creation:
Population projections
Existing development patterns and land use
Regional growth scenarios
Goals and Vision/ Public Input
Extensive community conversations (led to 5 versions of the map)
Public Meetings Overview:
The Planning Department held extensive community meetings during the months of January,
February, and March of 2015.
9 public meetings were held during this time:
3 at Executive Development Center (Stakeholder, Public, and City-County Planning Staff joint
meeting)
Bellamy Elementary
Ogden Elementary
Murray Middle School
Eaton Elementary
Myrtle Grove Middle School
Wrightsboro Elementary
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33
SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 20, 2015 PAGE 398
Individual Meetings with Key Stakeholders:
Osher Learning Center
Chamber of Commerce (3 times)
Porters Neck Community
Coastal Federation
CFPUA
Emergency Management
Engineering
UNCW MPA Class
NorthChase Community
Parks Conservancy Board
Fire Services
Individual Developers
Elements of the Future Land Use Map:
Place Types: Categories of development types that outline function and intensity.
Exceptional Resource Areas: Areas of environmentally sensitivity that need additional
consideration during development
Place Types:
Commerce Zone: Area serves as employment and production hubs, predominantly composed of
light and heavy industrial uses, though office and complementary commercial uses are also
allowed. Densities are dependent in part on the type of industry. Commerce Zones, unlike
Employment Centers, do not allow residential uses. Commerce Zones require arterial or major
collector road access connecting them to areas outside their boundaries. Focuses mostly on light
and heavy industrial uses. Types of uses include heavy industrial, light industrial, and office.
Employment Center: Area serves as employment and production hubs, with office and light
industrial uses predominating. Densities are dependent in part on the type of industries located
here. Employment Centers can also include residential, civic, and recreational uses, but should be
clearly delineated from rural and conservation areas. Commercial uses designed to serve the needs
of the employment center are appropriate. Employment Centers require arterial or major collector
road access connecting them to areas outside their boundaries. Types of uses include office,
industrial, single-family residential, commercial/retail, and recreation.
General Residential: Focuses on lower-density housing and associated civic and commercial
services. Housing for the area is typically single-family or duplexes. Commercial uses should be
limited to office and retail spaces, while recreation and school facilities are encouraged
throughout. Access to areas outside these residential areas is provided by arterial roadways, but
still allowing for interconnection between other place types. However, limiting cul-de-sacs is
encouraged to promote better internal circulation and minimizing high-volume traffic roads within
the area. Types of uses include single-family residential, low-density multi-family residential,
light commercial, civic, and recreation.
Urban Mixed Use: Provides access to a mix of residential, office, and retail uses at higher
densities. Multi-family residential uses are preferred, though higher-density single family
developments will not be prohibited. Mixed uses are encouraged in the same footprint in a vertical
pattern, but they can also be adjacent, or separated by lower traffic local and collector roads in a
horizontal pattern. It can include big box retail that has included appropriate urban design features.
These areas place an emphasis on multimodalism through the requirement of sidewalks on all non-
local streets, crosswalks at all intersections, dedicated bicycle lanes or wide outside lanes, and bus
access. Types of uses include office, retail, mixed use, small recreation, single-family and multi-
family residential.
Community Mixed Use: Focuses on small-scale, compact, mixed use development patterns that
serve all modes of travel and act as an attractor for county residents and visitors. These areas share
several qualities with the urban mixed use place type, including first-floor retail with office and
housing above, wider sidewalks, and an emphasis on streetscaping. However, these centers are
generally small, no more than a few square blocks. Civic uses, particularly recreation and public
gathering places, are particularly encouraged here. Ideally, large-scale, lower density commercial
and industrial developments are prohibited. The mixed use, retail and office spaces are generally
smaller while more housing options of encouraged. Types of uses include office, retail, mixed use,
recreational, multi-family and single-family residential.
Rural Residential: Focuses on rural areas where new development occurs in a manner consistent
with existing rural character while also preserving the economic viability of the land. Residential
uses are the predominant, but not exclusive, use. Agricultural and rural recreational uses are
intermixed with large-lot residential areas. These areas can be quite large. Clustering of homes in
smaller lots can provide for conservation of other land while still providing opportunities for
residential and agricultural growth. Rural areas have minimal transportation infrastructure
requirements; rural collector and arterial roads are sufficient. Types of uses include single-family
residential, small-scale agriculture and forestry, recreation, and open space.
Conservation: Covers areas of natural open space and are intended to protect the natural
environment, water quality, and wildlife habitats. They serve the public through environmental
education, low-impact recreation, and in their natural beauty. Protection may also extend to
important cultural or archaeological resources and to areas where hazards are known to exist.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33
SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 20, 2015 PAGE 399
Conservation areas and tools may apply to land that also falls into another zoning category, such
as single-family residential, though density is limited and conservation requirements generally
take precedence. In such areas, increased density would be discouraged, and low impact
development methods would be required. Such requirements place limits on development so as to
ensure the protection of resources. Active efforts to acquire these areas should be pursued.
Exceptional Resource Areas: Areas that are valued and protected to ensure the longevity of New
Hanover County’s natural environment and safety of its citizens. The Exceptional Resource Area
Map identifies environmental and flood hazard areas that are governed by the State of North
Carolina. The delineation of these areas are to be used in conjunction with the Future Land Use
Map and aid in the development process by providing foresight of possible hazard and critical
environmental areas.
Conservation Place Type:
Properties acquired for the purpose of conservation: NC Coastal Land Trust, NHC, CFCC, State of
NC, and DOT.
Marshlands and Open Water areas: Tidal Creeks, HOA open space and subdivision conservation
areas adjacent to tidal creeks, Intracoastal Waterway, Cape Fear River and Northeast Cape Fear
River, and non-buildable marshlands between Intracoastal Waterway and barrier islands and beach
areas (Figure 8 Island).
Public Water Supply: CFPUA Well Head Area (Greenview Ranches)
Exceptional Resource Area Purpose:
Maintain CAMA Compliance
Bridge 2006 CAMA Land Classification Map and new Future Land Use Map
Recognize Valuable and sensitive Natural Resources
CAMA Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC)
CAMA Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC):
The Estuarine System
Public Trust Areas
The Ocean Hazard System and Flood Plains
Public Water Supply
Natural and Cultural Resource Areas
Significant Natural Heritage
Exceptional Resource Area Regulators:
Public Inland Waters (CAMA)
Public Coastal Waters (CAMA)
Outstanding Resource Waters (CAMA)
Flood Zones (FEMA)
Significant Natural Heritage Areas (CAMA)
Wetlands (Army Corps/Coastal Resource Commission)
Primary Aquifer Recharge Area (CAMA)
Story Map creation – Future Land Use Story Map and Exceptional Resource Areas:
Need online mapping component to allow multiple ways to access information when reviewing
development projects
Collaboration with New Hanover County IT
Utilize ESRI Story Maps online interface
Next Steps:
th
October 28 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Planning Board Work Session
th
October 28 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Public Open House
th
November 5: Planning Board Votes
th
December 14: Board of Commissioners Vote
January: Chapter 5 and Chapter 6
Chairman Barfield thanked Long Range Planners Rigby and McDonnell for their presentation and opened
the floor to general discussion. In response to questions about criteria for how an area in the northern portion would
be classified as Urban Mixed Use, Long Range Planner McDonnell stated in the process of reviewing a particular
area items such as major thoroughfares and how much of an existing corridor is present are considered. An existing
example of Urban Mixed Use is Mayfaire Town Center. Analysis of current development patterns and
anticipated/continual development of an area of interest is also taken into consideration of place type classification.
Staff confirmed that the Board will be asked to adopt a land use map which will essentially be a guide for
where certain things are wanted as a county. At this time the challenge for staff is to help the community understand
the land use maps have nothing to do with zoning. With the exception of the conservation area, from a development
or landowners perspective it lays out a map more of opportunities; things that are not currently eligible for one to try
to achieve will now be attainable. It has been heard during the presentations about how difficult it is with the
current zoning ordinance to administer through the planning side and maneuver through the development side. By
adding the additional classifications, the process will be made easier as it will add an additional element into it such
that the county can achieve mixed use development.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33
SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 20, 2015 PAGE 400
In discussion of the development of a new zoning ordinance, Long Range Planner Rigby further explained
that it takes two to three years to develop a zoning ordinance. It can be crafted in a way to address not only bringing
the concept to life but ensure one step follows the other. There will be a time when there is an adopted future land
use map that is not consistent with current zoning. Minor text amendments will need to be made to bridge the gaps
until the zoning ordinance is fully developed. In response to questions about current City zoning being shown on the
future land use map, Long Range Planner Rigby said that it is not currently shown but can be added. Staff does
intend to work with the City but it was noted that the two will be unable to have the same zoning ordinance due to
different legislative authorities. However, it is critical that the two zoning ordinances are consistent and have similar
goals and there has been a great deal of coordination and will continue to be between the two groups. Staff
confirmed that these maps are not enforceable as zoning maps but will set the framework for future zoning. It is not
the intent to go into developed residential areas and reverse the zoning but rather, it is an effort to enhance and make
an area compatible going forward.
In regard to the Special Use Permit process, Planning and Inspections Director O’Keefe responded the
process will be largely the same and he does not see it going away all together. Until the new ordinance is written
the Special Use Permit process will remain with the findings used to help support evidence. The Board will still
have to make findings but in terms of plan consistency, staff will be tying it to the new plan.
In brief discussion on areas labeled “wetlands” it was noted that the County has no jurisdiction to declare or
enforce wetlands as it is an U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) term. Planning and Inspections Director
O’Keefe explained that while the area(s) on the map are not considered Army Corps of Engineers wetlands in that
they are not jurisdictional, the areas are in the CAMA Land Use Plan. Notations are based on State criteria via the
National Wetland Inventory used to allow identification of potential wetlands from a high level. Some Board
members asked staff to change the term to “potential wetlands” to provide clarity and raise the awareness that it is
not a definite delineated area and there would be a need to work with the Corps or DENR to determine such
designation.
Staff confirmed that the beach towns are not included in this plan; there will be 5 different plans; county
and city staff have been working together in this effort. In response to questions about the City of Wilmington
adopting its own CAMA Land Use Plan, Long Range Planner Rigby stated that CAMA has been changing its rules
and regulations and initially, the City decided not to have its comprehensive plan CAMA compliant. However, due
to the rules and regulations changes they are now considering having their comprehensive plan approved by the
Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) to be CAMA compliant. Staff has spoken with CRC officials and confirmed
that the County can move forward with or without the City and their endorsement.
The Board generally agreed with staff’s direction and particularly for the northern area of the county. Due
to these efforts the framework will be in place to assist the consultant in the review of the existing zoning ordinance
and to develop the new ordinance. The Board thanked staff and citizens for their efforts to help the county work to
achieve its goals.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 3:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kymberleigh G. Crowell
Deputy Clerk to the Board