HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ21-05 Staff Report BOC 5.3.2021Z21-05 Staff Report BOC 5.3.2021 Page 1 of 12
STAFF REPORT FOR Z21-05
CONDITIONAL REZONING APPLICATION
APPLICATION SUMMARY
Case Number: Z21-05
Request:
Rezoning to a Conditional B-1 district
Applicant: Property Owner(s):
Cindee Wolf with Design Solutions Bonnie D. & David M. Narron
Location: Acreage:
3419 N. Kerr Avenue 0.8
PID(s): Comp Plan Place Type:
R03316-004-018-000 Community Mixed Use
Existing Land Use: Proposed Land Use:
Undeveloped Vehicle Service Station
Current Zoning: Proposed Zoning:
AR, Airport Residential (CZD) B-1
SURROUNDING AREA
LAND USE ZONING
North Commercial Services, Single-Family Residential,
Undeveloped Land B-1, AR
East Single-Family Residential AR
South Single-Family Residential, Undeveloped Land,
Commercial Services AR, B-2
West Commercial Services B-1, B-2
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ZONING HISTORY
October 4, 1976 Initially zoned AR (Area Airport)
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Water/Sewer
Water services are available through CFPUA. Sanitary sewer is available
through CFPUA with a force main connection or can be serviced by a private
septic system approved and permitted by the NHC Health Department.
Fire Protection New Hanover County Fire Services, New Hanover County Northern Fire
District, New Hanover County Wrightsboro Station
Schools Wrightsboro Elementary, Holly Shelter Middle, and New Hanover High
Schools
Recreation Optimist Park
CONSERVATION, HISTORIC, & ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Conservation No known conservation resources
Historic No known historic resources
Archaeological No known archaeological resources
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APPLICANT’S PROPOSED CONCEPTUAL PLAN
Includes Staff Markups
• The applicant is proposing to construct a 6,000 square foot vehicle service station.
• Under the proposed B-1 zoning district, vehicle service stations are restricted to performing
repairs of vehicles that are minor in nature such as tune ups, oil changes, and tire
replacement, etc. Major repairs that require assembly or disassembly of engine parts, body
parts, transmissions, etc. are prohibited in the B-1 zoning district.
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ZONING CONSIDERATIONS
• The AR district in this area was established in 1974. At the time, the purpose of the AR
district was to promote low density housing in the vicinity of the Airport and discourage uses
which tend to concentrate large number of people like schools, hospitals, and rest homes.
• While the site is zoned AR, it directly abuts B-1 zoning within the Wrightsboro commercial
node.
• As currently zoned the subject site would be permitted 1 residential lot with a minimum area
of 30,000 square feet.
• The subject 0.8-acre site is currently part of a parent parcel approximately 2.27 acres in
area. The residual property is not included with this proposal and will remain zoned AR.
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AREA SUBDIVISIONS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
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TRANSPORTATION
• Access is proposed to be provided to the subject property from N. Kerr Ave, an NCDOT-
maintained minor arterial street.
• The proposed driveway will consist of two egress lanes and one ingress lane. A parking lot
cross-access connection will also be provided to the undeveloped portion of the parent
parcel.
• As currently zoned, it is estimated the site would generate about 1 trip during the peak
hours if developed at the permitted density. The proposed development would increase
the estimated number of peak hour trips by about 15-20 trips.
• The estimated traffic generated from the site is under the 100 peak hour threshold that
triggers the ordinance requirement for a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA).
• Because a TIA is not required to analyze transportation impacts at this time, Staff has
provided the volume to capacity ratio for the adjacent roadway near the subject site. While
volume to capacity ratio, based on average daily trips, can provide a general idea of the
function of adjacent roadways, the delay vehicles take in seconds to pass through
intersections is generally considered a more effective measure when determining the Level
of Service of a roadway. However, the available volume to capacity data indicates
capacity currently exists in this area.
NCDOT Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) - 2019
Road Location Volume Capacity V/C
N. Kerr Ave Castle Hayne Road to Blue
Clay Road 9,500 18,000 0.52
• According to the TIA completed for the nearby Wrightsboro Commons project, the Castle
Hayne Road and N. Kerr Ave intersection was estimated to operate at a “D/E” Level of
Service (LOS) in 2021 when Phase 1 of that project was expected to be completed.
Intensity Approx. Peak Hour Trips
Existing Development: Undeveloped 0 AM / 0 PM
Typical Development
under Current Zoning:
1 Single-Family
Dwelling 1 AM / 1 PM
Proposed
Development:
6,000 Square Foot
Vehicle Service Station 14 AM / 19 PM
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Nearby Planned Transportation Improvements and Traffic Impact Analyses
Nearby NC STIP Projects:
• STIP Project U-5863
o Project to widen Castle Hayne Road from I-140 to Division Drive. This project will
add a center turn lane or median to sections of the road.
o The project is currently scheduled to begin construction after 2029.
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Nearby Traffic Impact Analyses:
Traffic Impact Analyses (TIAs) are completed in accordance with the WMPO and NCDOT standards.
Approved analyses must be re-examined by NCDOT if the proposed development is not completed
by the build out date established within the TIA.
Proposed Development Land Use/Intensity TIA Status
1. Wrightsboro
Commons • 226 Multi-Family Units
• TIA approved November 28,
2018
• 2023 Build Out Year
The TIA requires improvements be completed at certain intersections in the area. The notable
improvements consisted of:
• Installation of a new signal plan at the intersection of N. Kerr Avenue and Castle Hayne
Road.
Nearby Proposed Developments included within the TIA:
• Riverside
Development Status: Project is currently being reviewed by the Technical Review Committee
Proposed Development Land Use/Intensity TIA Status
2. Riverside
• 165 Single-Family
Dwellings
• 72 Multi-Family Units
• TIA approved August 13,
2015
• 2019 Build Out Year
(no update required per
NCDOT)
The TIA requires improvements be completed at certain intersections in the area. The notable
improvements consisted of:
• Installation of an eastbound right turn lane on Riverside Drive at Castle Hayne Road.
Nearby Proposed Developments included within the TIA:
• River Bluffs
• Trasco Distribution Center
Development Status: Currently under construction. The required roadway improvement has
not been installed at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL
• The property is not within a Natural Heritage Area or Special Flood Hazard Area.
• The property is within the Ness Creek watershed.
• Per the Classification of Soils in New Hanover County for Septic Tank Suitability, soils on the
property consist of Class II (moderate limitation) soils.
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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
REPRESENTATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Representative Developments of AR:
Representative Developments of B-1:
Ace Hardware in Wrightsboro
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First Quality Imports in Wrightsboro
Context and Compatibility
• The property is located on a minor arterial road and abuts the Wrightsboro commercial
node.
• The business seeking the rezoning (First Quality Imports) has an existing location in
Wrightsboro on Castle Hayne Road approximately one quarter mile south of N. Kerr Ave.
2016 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The New Hanover County Future Land Use Map provides a general representation of the vision for
New Hanover County’s future land use, as designated by place types describing the character and
function of the different types of development that make up the community. These place types are
intended to identify general areas for particular development patterns and should not be
interpreted as being parcel specific.
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Future Land Use
Map Place Type Community Mixed Use
Place Type
Description
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.
Types of appropriate uses include office, retail, mixed use, recreational,
commercial, institutional, and multi-family and single-family residential.
Analysis
The Comprehensive Plan classifies the Wrightsboro commercial node and
the adjacent N. Kerr Avenue corridor as Community Mixed Use. It is the
intent of the plan to allow for the continued growth of this node with
commercial services and moderate to high density residential development
while also providing a transition between the lower density housing to the
north and the higher intensity Airport Commerce employment center to the
south and east. The subject site is located on the boundary of the existing
commercial node making it appropriate for lower intensity commercial uses
that will help provide that transition, such as the proposed vehicle service
station.
The vehicle service station is also consistent with the types of commercial uses
that would be appropriate in a Community Mixed Use place type and
would provide services to the surrounding community.
Consistency
Recommendation
The proposed rezoning for a vehicle service station is generally
CONSISTENT with the types of commercial uses encouraged in the
Community Mixed Use place type.
PLANNING BOARD ACTION
The Planning Board considered this application at their April 1st meeting. At the meeting, two
residents spoke in opposition of the item, citing concerns over commercial development encroaching
closer to nearby residential homes on N. Kerr Ave. The Planning Board recommended approval of
the application (6-0) with conditions, finding it to be:
CONSISTENT with the purposes and intent of the Comprehensive Plan because the proposed
business is consistent with the types of commercial uses that would be encouraged in the
Community Mixed Use place type. The Planning Board also found APPROVAL of the
rezoning request is reasonable and in the public interest because the site is located on a
minor arterial street near existing commercial services, the use would have limited traffic
impacts, and approval supports the success of an existing business.
Conditions
1. A connection and easement for a future parking lot cross-access shall be provided
to the undeveloped land adjoining the site to the east.
2. The business hours of operation shall be limited to Monday through Friday, 8:00
a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff concurs with the Planning Board’s recommendation and suggests the following motion:
I move to APPROVE the proposed rezoning to a Conditional B-1 district. I find it to be
CONSISTENT with the purposes and intent of the Comprehensive Plan because the
proposed business is consistent with the types of commercial uses that would be
encouraged in the Community Mixed Use place type. I also find APPROVAL of the
rezoning request is reasonable and in the public interest because the site is located on
a minor arterial street near existing commercial services, the use would have limited
traffic impacts, and approval supports the success of an existing business.
[Optional] Note any conditions to be added to the district:
1. A connection and easement for a future parking lot cross-access shall be provided to
the undeveloped land adjoining the site to the east.
2. The business hours of operation shall be limited to Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m.
Alternative Motion for Denial
I move to DENY the proposed rezoning to a Conditional B-1 district. While I find it to
be CONSISTENT with the purposes and intent of the Comprehensive Plan because the
proposed business is consistent with the types of commercial uses that would be
encouraged in the Community Mixed Use place type, I find DENIAL of the rezoning
request is reasonable and in the public interest because the proposal is not consistent
with the desired character of the surrounding community and the intensity will adversely
impact the adjacent neighborhoods.