HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-28- 2025 Agenda Review MinutesMinutes of the New Hanover County Planning Board Agenda Review
August 28, 2025
An agenda review of the New Hanover County Planning Board was held on
August 28, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the New Hanover County Government Center,
230 Government Center Dr., Conference Room 138 in Wilmington, North
Carolina
Members’ Present
Cameron Moore, Vice Chair
Pete Avery
Clark Hipp
Hansen Matthews
Members Absent
Andy Hewitt
Kevin Hine
Kaitlyn Rhonehouse
Staff Present
Rebekah Roth, Director of Planning & Land
Use
Ken Vafier, Operations Supervisor
Robert Farrell, Development Review
Supervisor
Katia Boykin, Planning & Land Use Supervisor
Lisa Maes, Administrative Supervisor
Zach Dickerson, Senior Planner
Amy Doss, Development Review Planner
Shauna Bradley, Administrative Specialist
Katherine May, Development Review Planner
Virginia Norris, Long Range Planner
Meeting called to order by Chair Moore at 3:03 PM
Review of the Regular Meeting Agenda
Item 1: Rezoning Request (Z25-16 – 2624 Castle Hayne Road)
Ms. May presented an overview of a rezoning request submitted by Atilano Cardenas
and Sebastian Cardenas on behalf of Phillip and Princetta Pierce to rezone
approximately 0.39 acres located at 2624 Castle Hayne Road from an existing (CZD)
B-1, Neighborhood Business district to a new (CDZ) B-1 district for the uses of grocery
store and restaurant.
The board did not have questions or comments on this matter.
Item 2: Text Amendment Request (TA25-04)
Ms. Roth presented an overview of New Hanover County’s text amendment request
to Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, and 12 of the Unified Development Ordinance to modernize
and clarify sign standards and ensure consistency with legal requirements. She also
summarized comments received during the public comment period and explained
how they were incorporated into the public hearing draft. In response to Board
questions, she noted that the scope of the amendment was limited to non-policy
components.
Item 3: Preliminary Forum – Carolina Beach Road & Rosa Parks Lane
Mr. Farrell presented an overview of the request by James Yopp for an Additional
Dwelling Allowance for additional density up to 6.54 dwelling units per acre in a R-15,
Residential district on approximately 43.10 acres located at 5669, 5713, 5831 Carolina
Beach Road and 1046, 1051, 1055 Rosa Parks Lane.
Board members were reminded that offering comments or advice to the applicant is
optional and generally intended for non-professional applicants. Since this
application is being submitted by a professional team, providing detailed guidance
may not be necessary.
The board revisited concerns raised during previous hearings, particularly those
related to road connectivity and discrepancies between the applicants’ and staff’s
interpretations of the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA).
Members were encouraged to review the proposal considering the Comprehensive
Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Ordinance to determine its compliance with
established planning standards.
Public comments on the revised project remained consistent with earlier feedback,
focusing primarily on traffic and infrastructure concerns in the Monkey Junction area.
One neutral comment acknowledged the reduced scope of the development but
continued to express reservations.
Destination 205 Update
Staff provided a brief update on the Destination 2050 project. The public release of
the plan remains on schedule for February 8.
The number of land use alternatives being considered has been reduced from four
to two. One scenario represents a “business as usual” approach, based on current
zoning and full buildout, while the second scenario focuses on development along
key corridors such as Market Street and Carolina Beach Road, particularly in areas
between Holly Shelter and Seaview Road.
Staff are in the process of reviewing a well-prepared draft of the plan, which includes
the introduction, planning conditions, and public engagement sections. The next
steps will involve finalizing policy language, implementation strategies, and the
future land use map, along with conducting more detailed analyses for specific areas,
Further updates will be provided as additional components of the plan are
completed.
Staff Updates
MS. Roth mentioned the departing of Virginia Norris from our department,
recognized and thanked her for her service, wishing them success in their new role
with Pender County.
Meeting Adjourned 3:25 PM