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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-24 PB Agenda Review MinutesMinutes of the New Hanover County Planning Board Agenda Review   June 4, 2024        An agenda review of the New Hanover County Planning Board was held on June 4, 2024, at 3:00 PM in the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Dr., Conference Room 138 in Wilmington, North Carolina       Members Present     Colin Tarrant, Vice Chair  Pete Avery Clark Hipp        Members Absent   Jeff Petroff, Chair     Kevin Hine   Hansen Matthews       Cameron Moore    Staff Present     Rebekah Roth, NHC Director of Planning & Land Use  Karen Richards, Deputy County Attorney Jessica Loeper, NHC Assistant County Manager Ken Vafier, NHC Planning Operations Supervisor Robert Farrell, NHC Development Review Supervisor Katia Boykin, NHC Housing Supervisor   Zach Dickerson, NHC Senior Planner Amy Doss, NHC Associate Planner    Love Ott, NHC Associate Planner Dylan McDonnell, NHC Long Range Planner   Windell Biddle, NHC Associate Planner Lisa Maes, NHC Administration Coordinator    Damion Fulford, NHC Administration Specialist        Technical Review Presentations: WMPO Abby Lorenzo Deputy Directory with the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO) provided an update on the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). She explained the role and responsibilities of the MPO, which is required when a metropolitan area reaches a certain population in order to ensure coordinated transportation planning. She outlined the six modes of transportation that the WMPO is responsible for planning for. Ms. Lorenzo outlined the process for developing the MTP and gave a brief overview of the two committees that helped guide the development of the plan. These two committees are the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and the MPT Technical Steering Committee (MTPC). She explained that the MTP had to be flscally constrained—only projects that could be reasonably funded through the plan’s time horizon could be included—and provided an overview of potential funding gaps and possibilities of alternative funding sources. Ms. Lorenzo outlined the remaining steps in plan development, including revisiting transportation demand management strategies and exploring transportation systems management improvements. She discussed the timeline for releasing the draft plan for public review and adoption by November 2025. The Board had questions about the alternative funding sources and speciflc projects like the bridge replacement. Ms. Lorenzo stressed the importance of coordinating between land use and transportation planning efforts. NCDOT Michelle Howes, Corridor Development Engineer, Division 3 from NCDOT, along with Trace Howell, Senior Project Manager, Division 3 gave a presentation to the Board of upcoming roadway projects in unincorporated areas of New Hanover County to inform the update to the comprehensive Plan. Ms. Howes gave an overview of the Map Act Claims which were claims that had to be paid out to property owners due to from previous holds on corridors for projects which were determined to be unethical. Going forward NCDOT cannot require that a corridor be reserved since they do not know when the funding will be coming through for said project. Ms. Roth provided additional information on the importance of considering limitations on the ability to reserve corridors when making recommendations for potential roadway connections. She reiterated that restricting someone’s use of their land is considered a taking of their property as there is no guarantee the project would be funded. Ms. Howes highlighted the collaborative efforts with various planning organizations and the scope of NCDOT's responsibilities, including maintenance, bridges, and ports. Updates on several ongoing and proposed projects: 1. Gordon Road Widening (US 6202): Construction starting in the next few months to include two lanes in each direction, median, and sidewalk. 2. Carolina Beach Road at College Road (US 5790): Improvements to the intersection, including widening and upgrades to signals. 3. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway at College Road (US 5792): Plans for a grade separation with college road going over MLK Jr. Parkway. 4. US 74 at US 17/NC 421 (US 731): Proposal for a grade separation to improve travel time and reduce confiict points. 5. Hampstead Bypass Projects: Updates on Arthur 300A and 300B, with construction timelines and visual representations provided. 6. Castle Hayne Roundabout at North 23rd Street (STIP 5954): Plans for a roundabout with pedestrian improvements. 7. Antoinette Drive to Shaw Highway Pedestrian Improvements (STIP 5703C): Pedestrian accommodations and signal upgrades to enhance safety. 8. US 17 Widening (STIP 4902D): Progress update on ongoing construction, with additional milestones and challenges discussed. 9. Military Cutoff Extension (STIP 4751): Completion status and visuals of completed interchanges and connections. Western Bank Ms. Roth provided an update to the Board about the public comment period draft of the Western Bank Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. She mentioned that previously these overviews are given at the regular Planning Board meetings; however, due to the anticipated length of the meeting and the boards request to provide information before the release of the public comment draft she would be providing an update. Ms. Roth mentioned that the amendment was prompted by the Board of Commissioners back in October 2023. She stated that while previous considerations mainly involved properties east of the Thomas Holmes Bridge, this amendment would impact all properties along the Cape Fear and Northeast Cape Fear Rivers between the Isabel Holmes Bridge and Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. She pointed out key components of the amendment which included establishing speciflc place types tailored to the area's unique characteristics, addressing constraints related to environmental features and infrastructure, and having a common understanding among stakeholders regarding development possibilities. Ms. Roth informed the Board that the proposed amendment aimed to incorporate recreational components, mixed-use projects, and urban design features while ensuring structures were resilient to environmental challenges. The desire for low-impact and intensity land uses, resiliency considerations, and the balance between height allowances for resiliency and concerns about visual impact on downtown Wilmington. Ms. Roth concluded her presentation with the next steps for this amendment, which include continued coordination with relevant authorities for infrastructure maintenance and initiated studies on water and salinity levels and the release of a public comment review draft of the Western Bank amendment after Thursday's Planning Board meeting. Agenda Item 1: Comprehensive Plan Amendment - Western Bank - Initial Public Comment Draft Release No further update was provided. Item 2: Comprehensive Plan Amendment- Residential Density and Infill Development The board requested no update on this item. Item 3: Special Use Permit- Senior Living Request by Samuel Franck with Ward and Smith, P.A., applicant, to amend Article 4 of the Unifled Development Ordinance to change the use of Senior Living: Independent Living Retirement Community from requiring a Special Use Permit to permitted-by-right in the RA, Rural Agricultural district. The Board did not have questions on this item. Item 4: (Z24-05) – Commercial Retail Space on Castle Hayne Road – Straight Rezoning Mr. Biddle gave an overview of the Rezoning Request (Z24-05) to rezone approximately 0.93 acres zoned RA, Rural Agricultural located at 4737 Castle Hayne Road to (CZD) B-2, Regional Business, for two commercial structures totaling 8,700 square feet for the use of General Retail for a tire store and other limited uses. The Board questions focused on the lack of utilities and the relocation of well and septic Item 5: (Z24-06) – Commercial Office Space on Manassas Drive – Straight Rezoning Mr. Biddle gave an overview of the Rezoning Request (Z24-06) to rezone approximately 0.86 acres zoned R-15, Residential located at 501 and 505 Manassas Drive to (CZD) O&I, Office and Institutional for one commercial structure totaling 8,000 square feet for the use of Medical and Dental Office and Clinic and other limited uses. The Boards questions focused on whether NCDOT had looked at the concept plans regarding the fiow of traffic on to Carolina Beach Road during the project additionally the location of the utilities. Item 6: (Z24-08) – Multi-Family Development on Carolina Beach Road – Straight Rezoning Mr. Farrell gave an overview for the Rezoning Request (Z24-08 to rezone approximately 4.65 acres of land located at 6634 Carolina Beach Road from R-15, Residential to (CZD) RMF-M, Residential Multi- Family – Moderate Density for a maximum 64-unit multi-family development. He mentioned to the board that this application was flrst submitted in 2023. At the time, staff had recommended approval, but the Board of Commissioners did not approve in a 3-2 vote. The applicant waited for the year requirement and is now reapplying. There were no questions from the Board. Item 7: (Z24-09)- General Retail Sales on S. Seabreeze Road – Straight Rezoning Mr. Biddle provided the board with an overview of the rezoning request (Z24-09) to rezone approximately 0.25 acres zoned R-15, Residential located at 802 S. Seabreeze Road to (CZD) CB, Community Business, for 1,800 square feet of General Retail Sales and other limited uses. The Boards questions focused on parking and the location of the main entrance. Mr. Farrell informed the board that parking on the concept plan is not necessarily what it will be, he mentioned that the Storm Water engineer will be able to answer questions at the regular Planning Board meeting regarding fiooding. Item 8: Expand Freight Transportation on N. 23rd Street – Straight Rezoning Ms. Ott gave an overview of the rezoning application for Southeastern Freight Lines. The applicant was requesting to rezone approximately 3.73 acres of a 4.24-acre parcel zoned B-2, Regional Business located at 2824 N. 23rd Street to (CZD) AC, Airport Commercial for the use of Motor Freight Transportation Warehousing to expand the existing Southeastern Freight Lines facility. The Boards questions focused on the logistics of larger vehicles entering and exiting the facility. Announcements: Ms. Roth informed the Board that a brief update to the Comprehensive Plan will be provided Thursday at the regular meeting. For the July 11, 2024, meeting there will be 7 public hearings and if the Board wishes to amend the calendar to have a 5:00 pm start time they will need to vote this Thursday at the regular June Board meeting. The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:45 PM.