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Home My WebLink About11-04-2025 Agenda Review MinutesMinutes of the New Hanover County Planning Board Agenda Review November 4, 2025 An agenda review of the New Hanover County Planning Board was held on November 4, 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 Pete Avery , Vice Chair Andy Hewitt Hansen Matthews Kaitlyn Rhonehouse Members Absent Cameron Moore, Chair Clark Hipp Kevin Hine Staff Present Rebekah Roth, Director of Planning & Land Use Robert Farrell, Development Review Supervisor Lisa Maes, Administrative Supervisor Zach Dickerson, Senior Planner Katherine May, Development Review Planner Meeting called to order by Vice Chair Avery Conflict of Interest Review of Regular Meeting Agenda Special Use Permit S25-06 – Standard Technologies Mr. Beil presented an overview of Special Use Permit S25-06, a request by Max Valentine and Brian Thompson with Standard Technologies on behalf of property owners H. Philip Berman Jr. and Jim Teachey, for an “other fabricated metal product manufacturing” use on 34.7 acres at 4901 Las Tortugas Drive in the I-1, Light Industrial district. The proposal is for an approximately 85,000-square- foot, single-story warehouse to accommodate laser metal fabrication, welding, and powder coating operations adjacent to the FAA VORTAC facility. Mr. Beil explained that this use requires a special use permit in the I-1 district because the County’s transition to NAICS codes grouped many activities into a broad “other manufacturing” category, which is intentionally subject to case-by-case review to ensure suitability. It was noted that no Traffic Impact Analysis is required due to limited anticipated trips, the site is in the northern portion of the county off Sidbury Road, and water and sewer service from CFPUA would be available via a mainline extension. Mr. Beil also highlighted that while the Comprehensive Plan’s Future Land Use Map shows the site as General Residential, it directly abuts an Employment Center place type and existing commercial/industrial zoning, and the plan allows development to follow adjacent place types where appropriate. During discussion, board members asked why the use could not be permitted by right, and Mr. Beil reiterated that the broad “other manufacturing” category is precisely why a special use process is required. The board discussed the site’s context, noting that the building would be located as far as possible from nearby residential areas to the east and the FAA facility, with NCDOT’s district office and various HVAC/technology uses along Barbados Boulevard contributing to an established employment corridor. Members inquired about environmental permits and air emissions; Mr. Beil indicated those details are handled through DEQ and technical review and could be summarized more clearly in the hearing presentation. The board also reviewed soils constraints (problematic but not in flood hazard), plans for an opaque fence and vegetated buffer along the rear/eastern property line, and minor technical comments such as relocating two fire hydrants and removing two parking spaces. One member disclosed that his company was in conversations with the applicant and acknowledged a potential conflict, noting since it was a forum they would not be voting. 2026 Planning Board Meeting Calendar Mr. Farrell reviewed the draft 2026 Planning Board regular meeting calendar, noting that most meetings were proposed for the first Thursday of each month, except for January 8 and a July meeting proposed for Thursday, July 16. Mr. Farrell explained that the July date was selected to avoid the Fourth of July holiday and to reduce the difficulty of assembling packets during a holiday week while still meeting statutory deadlines for the Board of Commissioners’ August meeting. Board members were asked to review their calendars and be prepared to confirm the July date at the regular meeting. Mr. Farrell also advised that a 6:00 p.m. start time continued for 2025, but that a different start time could be considered for 2026 because the Board of Commissioners would be moving their agenda review meetings to the morning. Board members discussed possible start times of 5:00 or 5:30 p.m. versus retaining 6:00 p.m., weighing the benefits of ending earlier against potential concerns about public access, work schedules, and parking costs for earlier meetings. No decision was made, and members agreed to continue the discussion and consider action at the Thursday regular meeting. Destination 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update Ms. Roth reported that the Destination 2050 public review draft remained on track for release in mid- November and that final document components were being assembled and vetted. She noted that a companion Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amendment would be prepared to update references to place types and the comprehensive plan and to include early implementation items that could be adopted alongside the plan. Ms. Roth explained that one focus of the UDO amendment would be to refine the County’s master planning process for large parcels in the northern part of the county, where current requirements were expensive and not always yielding the desired project types. It was indicated that they would bring forward concepts for changes to large-parcel master planning at the Planning Board’s December meeting, with a text amendment public hearing anticipated in January and possible Board of Commissioners action in February. Ms. Roth confirmed that the previously reviewed RV park rezoning case was expected to be returned to the Planning Board in December. Board members asked about the recent release of draft future land use maps and draft goals, objectives, and policies for public review. Staff stated that the Board of Commissioners had indicated that the drafts were generally aligned with their direction and appropriate for public comment, and that additional feedback could lead to refinement. Staff Updates Planning Board Representative Calendar Ms. Maes briefly reviewed the draft 2026 Planning Board representative calendar for Board of Commissioners meetings and stated that assignments were initially prepared in alphabetical order, subject to adjustment for conflicts of interest or absences. Staff indicated that they would email the draft calendar to members and make necessary adjustments if assigned representatives were unable to attend their scheduled meetings. Adjournment at 3:35 PM