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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-03 Special Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 OCTOBER 3, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 340 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for a Joint Special Meeting with the New Hanover County Planning Board on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 1:03 p.m. at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present: Chair Bill Rivenbark; Vice-Chair LeAnn Pierce; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Commissioner Dane Scalise; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell; and County Attorney K. Jordan Smith. New Hanover County Planning Board Members present: Chair Colin J. Tarrant; Vice-Chair Cameron Moore; and members Pete Avery, Clark Hipp, and Hansen Matthews. Planning Board members absent: Kevin Hine and Kaitlyn Rhonehouse. Planning staff and others present: Planning and Land Use Director Rebekah Roth; Community Planning Supervisor Katia Boykin; Associate Long Range Planner Dylan McDonnell; Planning and Land Use Coordinator Katherine May; Associate Long Range Planners Karlene-Ellis-Vitalis and Virginia Norris; and Clarion Associates Consultant Leigh Anne King. Chair Rivenbark and Chair Tarrant called their respective Boards to order for the Joint Special Meeting, reporting that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss updates to the 2016 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. PRESENTATION ON DESTINATION 2050 Planning and Land Use Director Rebekah Roth provided an overview of the agenda, noting that the meeting would be divided into two parts: first, staff updates on the comprehensive plan project, and second, a discussion to gather feedback and determine priorities for the next phase. She reviewed the following slides:  General Timeline of Update:  Role of Update in Continuous Planning Process: Planning and Land Use staff presented the following Phase 1 activities and findings information:  Overview of Phase 1 work:  Project development tasks: consultant selection process, project branding and website creation, and creation of Technical Advisory Committee  Planning Board technical presentations  Baseline existing conditions data: review of available sources and update of information included in the 2016 Comprehensive Land Use Plan  Initial public engagement: online pulse surveys, initial stakeholder interviews, and open house and mobile meetings  Existing Conditions:  Population: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 OCTOBER 3, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 341  Land Development:  Housing:  Economy:  Transportation:  75.5% of individuals commuting to work drove alone  Mean commute is less than surrounding counties, state, and nation NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 OCTOBER 3, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 342  Environment/natural resources:  New Hanover County tree canopy assessment:  North Carolina flood plain mapping program:  Public engagement update:  Activities: public forum/open house, ambassadors, website, engagement interviews, mobile meetings, pulse surveys, and Technical Advisor Committee  Pulse Survey – overall themes:  Stakeholder Interviews – emerging themes:  Open house and mobile meeting:  Public Engagement Comments: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 OCTOBER 3, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 343  As of 9/13/2024: 299 topic specific comments received  Top five comments by topic: placemaking (62), environment/natural resources (56), transportation (39), land development and decision making processes (33), and infrastructure (29)  Additional engagement events and meetings:  Pop-ups: Main Library, Senior Resource Center, Northeast Regional Library, and Pine Valley Library  Mobile meetings: Scotts Hill, Seabreeze, and Woodlake  Engagement interviews: NHC Hispanic-Latino Commission, Waccamaw Siouan Tribal Council, NH County Schools, Workforce Housing Advisory Committee, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, and NAACP DISCUSSION ON PHASE 2 PRIORITIES Clarion Associates Consultant Leigh Anne King presented information as part of the Phase 2 priorities discussion:  Clarion by the numbers:  31 years of effective land use solutions, 20 staff to meet the needs of client’s communities, 600+ diverse community partnerships, 125+ adopted community plans, and 237+ adopted development codes  Important legal context:  Comprehensive Plan required for communities that have zoning  Dillon’s Rule state: NC General Assembly determines what land use tools local governments can use  Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) managed by the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) applies to New Hanover County  Coastal Resources Commission certifies the CAMA Plan (i.e., Comprehensive Plan)  Overview of technical analysis: Ms. Roth presented Phase 2 potential focus areas:  Destination 2025 Phase 2 potential focus areas:  Major roadway corridors (transitional areas versus nodes), tree canopy preservation, green infrastructure/open space corridors, master planning in coordination with owners of large parcels, communities impacted by upcoming transportation projects, communities where land use recommendations may need refining (Seabreeze, Greenview Ranches), affordable housing land use strategies, reducing residential risk in flood prone areas, impacts of new development on adjacent properties, public education on planning process, regional coordination (Pender County and City of Wilmington), and more guidance on residential densities Discussion ensued on the various aspects of the potential focus areas as follows:  Housing needs and regional collaboration: Participants discussed the infeasibility of the housing goals outlined in the recent housing needs assessment. They emphasized that the projected demand for over 25,000 units conflicts with the community’s preference for controlled growth, given the County’s limited land availability. Participants agreed on the need to coordinate with neighboring counties like Pender, Brunswick, and Columbus to address regional growth challenges. They also stressed that pursuing the assessment's housing goals may not be practical or desirable, advocating for a more balanced approach that aligns with the County's growth capacity and community values.  Adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of existing properties: Participants emphasized the importance of looking beyond new construction, focusing on adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of existing properties to address some of the County’s housing needs. They highlighted that this approach could better utilize existing infrastructure without expanding into new green spaces. They also framed this strategy as a feasible way to conserve undeveloped land, helping to balance growth while preserving the County's character. They suggested integrating this approach into broader housing strategies, especially in areas with limited space for new construction.  Vision for undeveloped areas: Participants stressed the need for a clear, community-driven vision for underdeveloped areas in the County, particularly as large-scale developers continue to shape growth in these regions. They highlighted the importance of creating a strategic development plan that includes careful consideration of infrastructure needs like water and sewer, where the County holds significant interests. Additionally, they pointed out challenges in the southern part of the County, where development pressure is high, but infrastructure remains insufficient. This gap, NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 OCTOBER 3, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 344 especially in water and sewer services, limits the feasibility of new developments, and underscores the need for long-term planning to address these service shortages.  Stormwater management and flood mitigation: Participants emphasized the need to address flood risks, expressing concerns that the County’s existing stormwater infrastructure relies on outdated models, such as those designed for a 25-year storm. They agreed that recent extreme weather events highlight the need to revise these standards to better align with current conditions, including more frequent and severe flooding. They also discussed the financial and logistical challenges of upgrading stormwater systems, noting the need for additional funding for projects like adding new pumps and drainage lines to prevent recurring flooding.  Private property rights and zoning challenges: Participants raised concerns about the County’s legal standing in regulating land use and zoning, emphasizing the need to balance crafting a community vision while respecting private property rights. In response to these concerns, County Attorney Smith agreed to review the history of zoning-related lawsuits from the past 15 years and provide a report on potential legal challenges the County may face as it develops new policies.  Engagement of large landowners: Participants highlighted the need for direct engagement with large landowners of undeveloped parcels in the County, suggesting that it could foster a more collaborative approach to land use planning and ensure that development aligns with the County’s vision. They briefly discussed the potential of using development agreements to negotiate community benefits, such as setting aside land for parks or schools in exchange for development rights. This approach aims to ensure that growth delivers tangible benefits to the community while balancing the needs of developers.  Green space and park expansion: Participants emphasized the importance of preserving and expanding green space as a key part of the County’s long-term vision. They noted that acquiring and preserving land for parks and recreational use demonstrates to citizens that their input is valued and that the County is committed to maintaining quality of life. They highlighted the success of past investments in park spaces and stressed that similar actions are needed in the County’s northern regions.  Transportation and traffic concerns: Participants discussed community feedback indicating that transportation is a top concern, especially regarding the impact of new developments on local roads. Planning Board members acknowledged that while they frequently address these concerns, the County faces limitations without state-level support. They further discussed ongoing efforts to improve communication with state agencies to address traffic flow, road capacity, and the overall network. They stressed that better planning for future needs is essential to accommodate the anticipated growth in the County and surrounding region.  Education and school capacity: Participants discussed the importance of planning for school facilities, especially in areas where new housing developments are expected, emphasizing the need to secure land for new schools. However, they also noted that some parts of the community are experiencing an increase in retirees and a decline in young families. They highlighted the need to consider how the County’s shifting demographics will impact future planning for community and school facilities.  Approach to growth and community engagement: Participants stressed the need for the County’s planning processes to remain transparent, ensuring that community input is genuinely reflected in decision-making. They emphasized the importance of updating the 2016 Comprehensive Land Use Plan to align with residents' current concerns and priorities. They also highlighted the hiring of a sustainability manager as a positive step toward more holistic planning, focusing on long-term resilience and environmental stewardship. This role is expected to integrate sustainability into all aspects of the County’s growth strategy. WRAP-UP AND NEXT STEPS Ms. Roth reported that she and her team will compile the discussed priorities into a detailed work plan, which will guide the County’s efforts over the coming months, focusing on stormwater management, transportation, and strategic land acquisition. The Board agreed that improving the quality of life for residents should remain the overarching goal. Ms. Roth noted that the next touchpoints will occur in late winter and early spring of 2025. The Board thanked the Planning Board members for their service to the community. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark and Chair Tarrant adjourned the meeting at 2:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kymberleigh G. Crowell Clerk to the Board Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the Special Meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. The entire proceedings are available online at www.nhcgov.com.