HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-3-2024 Agenda Review MinutesMinutes of the New Hanover County Planning Board Agenda Review
An agenda review of the New Hanover County Planning Board was held on December 3, 2024, at
3:00 PM in the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Dr., Conference
Room 155 in Wilmington, North Carolina
Members Present
Colin Tarrant, Chair
Cameron Moore, Vice Chair
Pete Avery
Clark Hipp
Hansen Matthews
Kaitlyn Rhonehouse
Members Absent
Kevin Hine
Staff Present
Rebekah Roth, NHC Director of Planning & Land Use
Ken Vafler, Planning Operations Supervisor
Robert Farrell, NHC Development Review
Supervisor
Katia Boykin, NHC Housing Supervisor
Zach Dickerson, NHC Senior Planner
Amy Doss, NHC Associate Planner
Virginia Norris, NHC Long Range Planner
Marshall Fugate, NHC Administration Specialist
McCabe Watson, Planning Coordinator
The meeting was called to order by Chair Tarrant at 3:03 PM
Agenda
Item 1: Rezoning Request (Z24-14) Carolina Beach Road
Ms. Doss provided an overview of the application request to rezoning of approximately 2.67 acres
located at 6208, 6216, and 6218 Carolina Beach Road from R-15 Residential and B-2 Regional
Business District to (CZD) B-2 for retail sales. This would be for a new location for Biggers Market
featuring 16,000 sq. ft. of retail space, restaurant, nursery, and a 5,000 sq. ft. porch area. Ms. Doss
made note that there was support from the community, but there were some concerns about traffic
and noise.
The board discussion included building design and enclosure, with questions arising regarding the
level of enclosure of the market and outdoor entertainment and noise. Staff mentioned that no
formal conditions were currently recommended but suggested that a condition like one imposed on
a bottle shop project, limiting outdoor noise after 10 PM, could be considered. Traffic and
infrastructure impacts were also a point of concern, particularly regarding increased traffic on
weekends. The Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) for the project included extensive road improvements,
estimated at over $600,000, which could impact project feasibility. The applicant had agreed to
consider pedestrian connections to adjacent developments but had not committed to them yet.
Several board members disclosed potential confiicts of interest with the property or parties
involved.
The board’s discussion was around the need for clear conditions regarding noise, traffic mitigation,
and operational standards.
Item 2: Rezoning Request (Z24-11) Castle Hayne Rd. For a bottle shop, retail sales, and outdoor
recreation establishment
Mr. Dickerson gave an overview of the rezoning request for 0.41 acres at 5406 Castle Hayne Road
from R-15 Residential to (CZD) B-2 for bar and retail sales. The home was constructed prior to
zoning regulations and straddles a property line between B2 and R-15 zoning.
The Boards discussion was around the enforceability of such agreements as noise, traffic
mitigation and hours of operation. The proposed plan includes outdoor entertainment and games
such as mini golf, which could generate signiflcant noise. Board members discussed the potential
for noise restrictions and limited hours of operation to mitigate residential impacts. They also noted
the lack of public comment.
Item 3: Text Amendment Request (TA24-05)
Mr. Farrell provided an overview of the text amendment, which aligned regulations with state
statutes by removing restrictions on shipping container use and size limitations. The amendment
also reduced space requirements for larger warehouses to refiect lower employee density, added
administrative fiexibility for landscaping placement, and ensured that residential units in
commercial districts were part of deflned mixed-use developments to prevent misinterpretations.
The proposed amendments were approved for submission to a public hearing in early 2025.
The Board’s discussion focused on changes to zoning regulations, including updates to parking
ratios, accessory dwelling units, and mixed-use residential requirements. Adjustments to
warehouse parking minimums were discussed, with the board recommending modiflcations to
align with actual usage trends. The board suggested revising requirements for warehouses over
100,000 square feet to require one parking space per 2,000 square feet instead of the proposed one
per 1,000 square feet. Further discussion was had on the maximum square footage allowable for
Accessory Dwelling Units, with the board requesting additional analysis and comparisons with the
City of Wilmington’s regulations. Regarding mixed-use residential rules, discussion centered on
whether to allow ground-fioor residential units in mixed-use developments..
Updates
Ms. Roth gave an update on the 2025 meeting calendar, noting that the August 29th 2025 planning
board agenda review was moved to a Friday because of a confiict with Labor Day weekend and a
confiict with the commissioners meeting.
Mrs. Norris provided an update on the Destination 2050 Public opinion survey, The survey has been
reflned to focus on environmental, housing, and infrastructure and demographics concerns.
Consultants have been gathering input from key community members regarding housing strategies
and infrastructure priorities.
Ms. Roth also provided an update on Senate Bill 382, a state legislative measure, that along with
other topics included provisions that would affect local zoning powers. The bill expanded the
deflnition of downzoning to include any regulation reducing density or creating non-conforming
uses and would require explicit property owner consent for such changes. The bill would limit the
county’s ability to change zoning in areas such as the Western Bank and Seabreeze, and could
create challenges in implementing future regulatory updates, such as sign ordinance changes and
FEMA fiood zone adjustments. This change would increase reliance on incentive-based rezoning
approaches rather than mandatory regulatory changes. The bill had been vetoed by the governor,
but the veto was expected to be overridden. Staff will continue monitoring developments and will
provide updates to the board and county commissioners.
Meeting Adjourned at 4:14 PM