01-02-2024 PBoard Agenda Review MinutesMinutes of the New Hanover County Planning Board
January 2, 2024
An agenda review of the New Hanover County Planning Board was held on January 2, 2024, at 3:00 PM
in the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Dr., Conference Room 138 in
Wilmington, North Carolina
The meeting started at 3:00pm.
Director Rebekah Roth informed the board members that staff had received a request to continue the
Preliminary Forum for S23-05, a special use permit for a sand mine at the 5700 block of Hwy 421 while
they conducted additional engineering related to the raw water line that crossed the property. Since the final
decision to approve the continuance would need to be made at the meeting, staff and board members
discussed how to notify the public of the continuance request; board members concurred that since the
purpose of the preliminary forum was to provide an opportunity for the public to get additional information
about the request, they were inclined to support the request.
Senior Planner Zach Dickerson provided an overview of item 1, Rezoning request Z23-23 for mixed use
commercial businesses at 7600 Carolina Beach Road. Discussion focused on the lack of visual & sound
buffers, and how to better visually integrate the commercial look to be compatible with the surrounding area
and provide a transition to the adjacent residential properties. Staff and board members discussed
regulations around building heights, types of commercial uses allowed, and TIA recommendations.
Senior Planner Zach Dickerson provided an overview of item 2, Rezoning request Z23-24 for residential at
1132 Seabreeze Road, from B-2 to R-7 to allow for two single family dwellings. Discussion focused on lack
of water and sewer infrastructures, the preservation of the 2 live oak trees on the property and additionally
being in a flood plain. Staff and board members discussed the need to take a greater look at this area as
part of the comprehensive plan update.
Associate Planner Love Ott provided an overview of item 3, Rezoning request Z23-25 at 3100 block of Blue
Clay Road. Discussion focused on the previous request back in 2022. Staff and board members discussed
the lack of open space and its compatibility with the pattern for development in that area.
Development Review Supervisor Robert Farrell asked if any board members had comments on the Sand
Mines project prior to his follow up meeting. Questions that were raised about how long they would be in
operation, how would storm water be handed, any kind of buffer requirements, ensuring protection of
existing water lines.
The staff and board members discussed the Comprehensive Plan Update project and the possibility of
having presentations, such as one on infrastructure availability, at future agenda review meetings.
Meeting adjourned at: 4:36pm
Members Present
Jeff Petroff, Vice Chair
Clark Hipp
Hansen Matthews
Cameron Moore
Staff Present
Rebekah Roth, NHC Director of Planning & Land Use
Ken Vafier, NHC Planning Operations Supervisor
Robert Farrell, NHC Development Review Supervisor
Zach Dickerson, NHC Senior Planner
Amy Doss, NHC Associate Planner
Love Ott, NHC Associate Planner
Lisa Maes, NHC Administration Coordinator Members Absent
Kevin Hine
Pete Avery