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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-29 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW, JANUARY 29, 2026 PAGE 752 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met on January 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for Agenda Review in Conference Rooms 137-139 at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present: Chair LeAnn Pierce; Vice Chair Dane Scalise; Commissioner Bill Rivenbark; Commissioner Stephanie A.C. Walker; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell; and County A?orney K. Jordan Smith. Chair Pierce called the mee?ng to order, sta?ng that Emergency Management Director Steven S?ll will provide a weather briefing, which will then be followed by a staff update and discussion of the agenda items for the February 2, 2026 Regular Mee?ng. WEATHER BRIEFING Emergency Management Director Steven S?ll provided a detailed weather forecast for the weekend and the following week, including extremely low temperatures, nega?ve wind chills, and hazardous marine condi?ons. He discussed projected snowfall amounts and emphasized the high variability due to coastal systems and precipita?on bands. Regarding travel and public preparedness, Mr. S?ll advised residents to protect water pipes, bring pets indoors, stay home, and avoid travel during the event. He stated the snow is expected to be dry and powdery rather than ice-laden, which lowers the risk of widespread power outages. Mr. S?ll reported that staff is coordina?ng with the school district, municipali?es, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the North Carolina Department of Transporta?on (NCDOT). He noted the County con?nues to support warming shelters and is working with partners to expand shelter capacity, including a poten?al addi?onal shelter opening Friday. He added that Emergency Management an?cipates a par?al ac?va?on, with public messaging focused on staying off the roads and protec?ng people, pets, and pipes. STAFF UPDATE New Hanover County (NHC) Film Permitting Overview. Intergovernmental Affairs Manager Tim Buckland presented the following information:  Supporting film: Overview of county film permitting:  County film permits:  Required only for the use of most county-owned property  No location fees (except Airlie Gardens)  Goal is same day service  Streamlined application  Not all county-owned property approved by the administration (Sheriff’s Office; Courts)  Permit by the numbers (January 2019 through December 2025):  135 applications  112 approved  21 withdrawn (reasons include productions choosing other sites, cancelled scenes, production applying for a site not owned by the county)  2 denied – only the County Manager is authorized to deny  Permits by the years (notable productions):  2019: 19 permits (Swamp Thing; Reprisal; Halloween Kills)  2020: 4 permits (slowdown – Covid-19)  2021: 26 permits (Hightown; Along for the Ride; Florida Man; Summer I Turned Pretty; George and Tammy)  2022: 14 permits (George and Tammy; Welcome to Flatch)  2023: 6 permits (slowdown – actors’ and writers’ strikes)  2024: 28 permits (The Runarounds; House Hunters)  2025: 15 permits (Merv; Drivers Ed; Great Food Truck Race; RJ Decker)  Permits by the location:  Long Leaf Park: 21  Ogden Park: 10  NHC libraries: 9  Arboretum: 9  Smith Creek Park: 7  Blue Clay, Northern Regional Parks: 6 (each)  Historic Courthouse: 5  All others: 39 In response to questions, Mr. Buckland reported no uptick in production activity for 2026 to date. He stated that 2025 was a slow year and attributed the decline primarily due to production relocating overseas rather than to NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW, JANUARY 29, 2026 PAGE 753 local incentives or the County’s ability to attract projects. He noted that Australia, parts of Europe, and Canada have expanded their incentive programs and that Los Angeles has also experienced a downturn. He added that recent inquiries involve only small independent projects and that he has been asked to attend the Wilmington Regional Film Commission meetings to support efforts to bring production activity back to the area. Chair Pierce thanked Mr. Buckland for the update. Consent Agenda Item #2: Approval of NCDOT Signal Project and Right-of-Way (ROW) at Intersection of NC 133 and SR 1335. In response to questions, Senior Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau stated that NCDOT requested this matter be considered by the Board to ensure the Board has seen the documents. Consent Agenda Item #3: First Reading: Approval of Solid Waste Franchise Agreement for Carolina Carting LLC. In response to questions, Recycling and Solid Waste Director Joe Suleyman stated that Carolina Carting will operate one truck with four containers for on-call junk removal and limited roll-off service. He advised that the operation will not increase total waste volumes but will compete for existing tonnage. He confirmed the company has a local address in Carolina Beach and confirmed that the applicant was informed that only waste generated within the County may be disposed of at the landfill. Consent Agenda Item #4: Approval of Order for Advertisement of 2025 Unpaid Tax Liens on Real Property and Consent Agenda Item #5: Approval of the December 2025 Tax Collection Reports. In response to questions, Tax Administrator Allison Snell explained that timing accounts for the difference between the unpaid tax lien amount and the December tax collection report. She stated that the December report reflects balances as of December 31, while staff pulled the tax lien advertising amount later, closer to the meeting date, after receiving additional payments. She noted that the County collected a substantial amount of revenue after December 31. County Manager Coudriet added that taxpayers have until January 5 to pay and that a significant volume of payments typically arrives during the days immediately following the end of the calendar year, which the December report does not reflect. Consent Agenda Item #6: Adoption of Budget Amendments. In response to questions, Senior Resource Center Director Amber Smith stated that dates have not been set for the Shred-A-Thon. She reported the plan is to coordinate a smaller event in March with a medication take-back event involving Fire Rescue and state partners, followed by a larger event in June at multiple locations. She confirmed the event will be open to the public and that the Senior Resource Center will serve as one of the locations, with additional sites planned throughout the County. Chief Financial Officer Eric Credle added that the program is funded through a grant from the North Carolina Department of Insurance and does not require a County match. Consent Agenda Item #7: Approval of Beth and Walter Pancoe Naming Sponsorship Agreement for First Floor Classroom as Part of the Cape Fear Museum “Invest in Grace” Campaign. In response to questions, Cape Fear Museum Director Kate Baillon reported that the “Invest in Grace” campaign has exceeded its $1 million fundraising goal. She stated that sponsorships are available to interested donors for 10-year terms, payable over up to four years, and subject to approval by County management and the Board. County Manager Coudriet added that staff accept sponsorship proposals for evaluation and report them regularly to the Board, but does not advance all proposals for approval. He further stated that staff can provide the program criteria to the Board. Regular Agenda Item #8: Special Use Permit – (S25-07 – Tideline Boats) – Request by Greg Taylor with TMC Taylor Construction, I NC, on behalf of 2nd Wilmington Properties LLC, property owner, for the use of Ship and Boat Building in a (CZD) I-1, Conditional Light Industrial district on approximately 1.58 acres located at 2020 Capital Drive. In response to questions, Development Review Planner Ryan Beil stated he will provide the Board with a definition of the successional land classification. Regular Agenda Item #9: Consideration of Adoption of the New Hanover County Destination 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update. County Manager Coudriet stated he asked Planning and Land Use Director Rebekah Roth to provide a brief high-level summary of the changes to the County’s current policy framework to help frame Board questions and direction prior to Monday’s meeting. Ms. Roth presented a brief overview of the draft plan and explained that the 2016 Comprehensive Land Use Plan was developed after a recession to provide flexibility through broad land use and density recommendations. She stated that the draft update responds to public input and Board direction by offering greater clarity, based on the County’s experience with repeated rezoning requests and ongoing questions about appropriate land uses. She noted that the current framework has resulted in increased housing diversity and greater use of major highway corridors, and that the draft update proposes a more defined approach for future development. Ms. Roth explained that a major future land use change is the proposed “corridor commercial” place type. She stated that major roadway corridors are currently designated as “community mixed use,” which allows commercial, residential, and integrated mixed uses, and noted that strong residential market demand has driven multiple residential rezonings along these corridors, leaving limited land for new development or redevelopment. The proposed “corridor commercial” designation seeks to preserve remaining corridor parcels for commercial and employment uses. Ms. Roth clarified that this change will not affect recently approved multifamily residential projects but will guide future decisions on undeveloped parcels, including potential conversions of single-family homes to commercial uses along corridors. She further stated that, in addition to the Future Land Use Map, the plan NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW, JANUARY 29, 2026 PAGE 754 includes rezoning standards such as appropriate transitions, and the Action Plan directs staff to evaluate corridor standards to address conflicts where commercial development directly abuts residential neighborhoods. Ms. Roth discussed changes affecting residential areas surrounded by existing neighborhoods. She stated that although the current plan allows densities of up to eight units per acre, limited available land, site constraints, lack of roadway connections, and infrastructure challenges, such as water and sewer service, led the draft update to recommend maintaining current zoning in those areas. She explained that the draft plan instead directs higher- intensity development to areas already designated for community mixed use on larger parcels where infrastructure support is more feasible, rather than continuing frequent rezonings for small infill sites. Ms. Roth emphasized that the Future Land Use Map serves as a policy guide and does not change existing zoning or regulations, and that applicants may still request rezonings. She added that staff would not recommend approval of requests inconsistent with the plan, while the Board retains full discretion on legislative rezoning decisions. In response to questions about master planning, Ms. Roth explained that the plan promotes coordinated master planning for large undeveloped parcels, particularly in the northern unincorporated county, so infrastructure and transportation can be planned comprehensively rather than through piecemeal approvals. She stated that development interest has increased and is expected to continue increasing due to the County’s substantial water and sewer investments in these areas, with additional utilities anticipated to come online within the next six months. She noted that the plan is intended to establish a clear framework before those development pressures intensify. Ms. Roth also clarified that the draft plan retains the 2016 policy recommendations for the Hilton Bluffs/Sledge Forest area, with portions designated for conservation and rural agriculture and language refined to clarify intent, and that the draft plan does not change zoning standards on the ground. Regarding nodes, she stated they were not removed; rather, the draft plan distinguishes between nodes and transition areas and reflects development patterns characterized by smaller nodal areas rather than a few large growth nodes. County Manager Coudriet stated that Ms. Roth’s overview was intended to clearly explain how the draft plan differs from current policy, noting that staff are aware that the Board and the community are hearing differing interpretations of the document. He stated that staff anticipates the Board may want additional time for review and discussion and is prepared for that. He explained that the item was placed on the agenda for approval because staff cannot proceed with further work without Board direction. County Manager Coudriet added that staff would still like to proceed with Monday’s presentation, which will provide greater detail, to ensure the draft plan is clearly understood. The Board briefly discussed the item, with Commissioners expressing a preference to hold the public hearing as scheduled but not vote on Monday. Regular Agenda Item #10: Text Amendment Request (TA25-05) - Request by New Hanover County to amend the Unified Development Ordinance Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 to update references to the Comprehensive Plan place types, designate the Riverfront Mixed Use zoning district as a legacy district, modify transportation- related application requirements for PD rezonings, incorporate recent changes to state statutes, and correct an unintended conflict included in the recent sign standards ordinance amendment. County Manager Coudriet asked Ms. Roth to clarify which portions of the maintenance amendment are tied to the draft plan and which provide clarification for the current process independent of the draft plan. Ms. Roth explained that several elements of the amendment implement the draft plan, including updates to place type references in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), required transportation information for master plan applications, and clarification of the western bank properties and the Riverfront Mixed Use legacy district. She stated that two other components are not tied to the draft plan: one updates the ordinance to reflect recent state legislation on downzoning standards, and the other updates the UDO to reflect state law removing local authority to impose waiting periods between denial and reapplication. She also noted that an additional component resolves a conflict remaining in the sign ordinance amendment adopted in October. Ms. Roth stated she would further address these items at the public hearing. In response to questions, County Manager Coudriet confirmed staff will exclude any portions tied to the Comprehensive Plan and focus only on the portions that provide clarification or implement state law. In response to questions, Ms. Roth confirmed that under current state law, there is no required waiting period for reapplication after denial and that an applicant could reapply immediately, although the full review process would still apply. CLOSED SESSION Chair Pierce stated that a Closed Session is needed pursuant to North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 143- 318.11(a)(3) and (a)(5) to consult with its legal counsel in order to preserve the a?orney-client privilege between legal counsel and the public body. MOTION: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice Chair Scalise to enter into a Closed Session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3) and (a)(5) to consult with its legal counsel in order to preserve the a?orney-client privilege between legal counsel and the public body. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chair Pierce convened the Closed Session at 11:59 a.m. and ordered that all people, except Board members and specifically designated staff, leave the mee?ng room. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW, JANUARY 29, 2026 PAGE 755 CONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION FOR AGENDA REVIEW Chair Pierce called the mee?ng back to order at 1:13 p.m. and reported that the Board had concluded its closed session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Chair Pierce adjourned the meeting at 1:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kymberleigh G. Crowell Clerk to the Board Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting. The entire proceedings are available online at www.nhcgov.com.