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Home My WebLink AboutWM Store 4065 - Wilmington, NC - Comment Response Letter 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com February 16, 2026 New Hanover County Development Services 230 Government Center Dr. Suite 170 Wilmington, NC 28403 RE: WM 4065 – Wilmington, NC To whom it may concern, We have prepared this comment response letter along with updated site plans in response to the comments provided by the county’s TRC committee on January 22nd, 2026. 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com PLANNING – KATHERINE MAY & AMY DOSS Compliance with local UDO Requirements 1. GENERAL COMMENTS a. Zoning district is (CZD) B-2, Regional Business Response: Noted. This is noted on the cover sheet. Location: 6000 – C600 – Cover b. The project is associated with conditional rezoning Z-926 Response: This is noted on the cover sheet. Location: 6000 – C600 – Cover c. As stated in the application the intended use is Retail Sales, General. The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) defines the use as i. Commercial enterprises that provide goods and/or services for sale, lease, or rental directly to the consumer. Examples include stores selling, leasing, or renting consumer, home, and business goods such as art, clothing, dry goods, electronic equipment, furniture, garden supplies, hardware, jewelry, pet food, and printed material. Response: Noted, the existing building’s operations match the definition outlined in the UDO. The proposed expansion is also aligned with this definition. Location: N/A d. The Planning and Land Use Department’s review of the site is for compliance with the UDO and use specific requirements of the specified land use. Any other activity that might occur on the property beyond the definition above should be noted on the application and site plan for additional review and comment. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A e. Please log into your COAST account and pay the $75 review fee, INV-00155388. Response: The $75 review fee has been paid. Location: N/A 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com 2. UDO SECTION 5.1: PARKING AND LOADING a. The expansion is about 7,051 sq ft. Response: Acknowledged, that is correct. Location: N/A b. For the use of retail sales, general, 2.5 parking spaces for every 1,000 square feet of building area is required. The project proposes an expansion of 7,051 sq ft. For a total square footage of 188,527. Required parking calculation is 188,527/1,000 = 188.527 x 2.5 = 471.37 (471 total spaces). Response: Acknowledged, this number has been rounded up and included in the site plan table. The proposed Location: 6500 – C500 – Stop Signs and Markings Plan c. Section 5.1.2.D contains the electric vehicle parking requirements. EV parking is required when the number of spaces required exceeds 25. Please refer to Tables 5.1.2.D.1 and 5.1.2.D.3 to determine the number or required spaces and if any must be handicap accessible. Response: Noted, per the feedback from the county during the TRC meeting, the scope of this project does not require any additional EV spaces to be added. Location: N/A d. The table on C500 states Required Parking Ratio (City of Wilmington) - Please either remove anything that states the City of Wilmington or replace it with New Hanover County. The calculations stated in the table are in line with NHC regulations, but double check that you’re using regulations for New Hanover County only. Response: The table on this sheet has been updated to reference New Hanover County parking requirements. Location: 6500 – C500 – Stop Signs and Markings Plan 3. UDO SECTION 5.2: TRAFFIC, ACCESS, AND CONNECTIVITY a. Please note that no building permit for any structure shall be issued which requires NCDOT approval for a Driveway Permit until NCDOT has issued the permit approval. Evidence of approval shall accompany the application for building permit. Response: This has been noted. We have confirmed the requirements with Nick Drees with NCDOT and are coordinating this driveway permit. Location: N/A 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com 4. UDO SECTION 5.3: TREE RETENTION a. Please confirm that no trees are being removed. No trees to be removed. Location: C900 Landscape Plan b. Note: Land disturbance permits can be issued by county Engineering before a Tree Removal Permit is approved by Planning. However, any trees removed before the Tree Removal Permit is issued may result in enforcement action under Section 5.3.2 of the Unified Development Ordinance to include prohibiting any development of the site for 3 to 5 years. Response: N/A Location: 5. UDO SECTION 5.4: LANDSCAPING AND BUFFERING a. Per UDO Section 5.4.2.B, 15 trees are required to be planted or retained per acre disturbed. Response: disturbed area = 13,551 sf (0.31 acres x 15 = 4.65 tree to be saved. (6) trees saved within area of improvements Location: C900 Landscape Plan b. Existing street yard is fine. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A c. Parking lot landscaping calculation is incorrect. Site plan states 4% of parking area, however NHC regulations are as follows: Landscaped areas in the interior of parking lots shall be equal to 8% of the total area to be used for parking, loading, automobile sales, driveways, internal drive aisles, and other vehicle or pedestrian use. Please see table 5.4.5.C: Standards for Parking Lot Interiors for full regulations. Response: Calculations were updated and areas outlined for landscape area provided. Location: C900 Landscape Plan 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com d. Landscape plan is missing foundation plantings which are required on the face and side of the new expansion. Please see section 5.4.7. Response: Plants added to the ends of the building addition. Location: C900 Landscape Plan e. Landscape plan must specify which types of trees and other plantings will be installed. Response: Plant list provided for plantings Location: C900 Landscape Plan f. All planting materials must comply with the approved planting materials listed in the New Hanover County Tree & Landscaping Manual. The species and size must be listed in the final landscape plan indicating compliance with the manual. Or evidence the proposed plant species are acceptable from the county Agricultural Extension office. Response: Plant materials per approved list with specific species and sizes indicated in plant list. Location: C900 Landscape Plan 6. UDO SECTION 5.5: LIGHTING a. Please note that a lighting plan is not required for TRC approval but will be required prior to issuance of construction plan approvals. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A b. Is any lighting proposed for the site? Response: Yes, the proposed photometric plan is found in the plans and lighting improvements are called out on the utility plan. Location: 6300 – C300 – Grading and Utility Plan; 6450 – C450 – Photometric Plan 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com 7. UDO SECTION 5.6: SIGNS a. Are any freestanding signs planned for the expansion? Response: No free-standing monument signs are proposed with the expansion. The only proposed signs are standard parking lot signage. Location: N/A b. For any signs on the site, a separate sign permit must be submitted and reviewed by the county for compliance with Section 5.6 of the UDO for standards at or after the submittal of the separate zoning compliance and construction permits for the primary building or use. Any approval granted by the TRC for the site design is not an approval for the ultimate size or placement of the sign. Response: Understood. If any sign permits are required for this site, we will coordinate them separately. Location: N/A 8. UDO SECTION 5.7: CONSERVATION RESOURCES a. The conservation resources map does not indicate any conservation resources impacting the property, this section does not apply. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A 9. UDO ARTICLE 9: FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION a. The expansion is not in a floodplain. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A NHC FIRE SERVICES – DAVID STONE 1. Fire has no comments until this is submitted for plan review. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com NHC SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION 1. No comments provided. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A NHC ENGINEERING – GALEN JAMISON 1. A revision to county stormwater permit 607-04/11/14 will be required. Should any stormwater conveyance measures be proposed, please include the requisite calculations with the permit submission. Please digitally submit the permit applications documentation revisions with requisite review fees using the COAST online permit portal (https://newhanovercountync- energovpub.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home. Response: This is in process and will be completed prior to final site approval. Location: N/A 2. A land disturbing permit issued by the County is required for this project. Please digitally submit the permit applications documentation with requisite review fees to the COAST online permit portal (https://newhanovercountync- energovpub.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home).Applicable forms can be found at https://www.nhcgov.com/249/Sediment-Erosion-Control. Response: Noted, a land disturbance permit will be coordinated through the COAST portal. Location: N/A 3. Please contact the State for their stormwater permit requirements. It is anticipated a modification to SW8 140208 will be required. Response: The state stormwater permit is in the process of being renewed, transferred, and modified. This will be coordinated prior to final project approval Location: N/A 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com NHC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH – DUSTIN FENSKE 1. Site is on public water and sewer. Any demolition or construction must set up a barrier to protect the food service areas within Walmart from demolition/construction dust. Response: Please see the dust barrier detail below, which is included in the architectural plans. Location: Architectural Sheet D1 NHC ADDRESSING – MCCABE WATSON 1. No comments, existing address is acceptable. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com CAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY – BERNICE JOHNSON 1. CFPUA TRC Comments provided are preliminary comments only. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A 2. CFPUA is moving toward becoming paperless. When ready to submit plan review package, upload all documents to https://www.cfpua.org/FormCenter/Engineering-3/Engineering-Plan- Review-103. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A 3. Property currently has CFPUA water and sewer. Response: Acknowledged. No changes to the existing CFPUA water and sewer services are proposed in the scope of this project. Location: N/A 4. Meter Sizing Form will be required. Once completed, it will be determined if CFPUA Plan Review will be required. Response: There are no new plumbing fixtures proposed in the scope of this project, so the demand on the existing meter will not change. Location: N/A 5. If new water and sewer services/taps are being added, CFPUA Plan Review will be required. Response: There are no water/sewer taps proposed in the scope of this project. Location: N/A 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com NCDOT – NICK DREES NCDOT DRIVEWAY PERMIT 1. An NCDOT Driveway Permit is required. Submit plans in accordance with pages 14 and 15 of the Policy on Street and Driveway Access to North Carolina Highways to include access locations within 500’ of the proposed access on both sides of the State Road. Submit to the local NCDOT District Engineer’s Office. • Due to the redevelopment/expansion a driveway permit is required. Response: Noted, an NCDOT driveway permit will be submitted and approved prior to construction. Location: N/A • Refer to the NCDOT checklist (included) for required documents and site plan information. Response: Noted. Location: N/A NCDOT ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT 1. An NCDOT Encroachment Agreement is required for any utility connections or installations within the NCDOT right-of-way (form 16.6). • Refer to the NCDOT UAM Manual and the NCDOT encroachment checklist for required documents and site plan information. Response: Noted. Location: N/A 2. An NCDOT Encroachment Agreement is required for any sidewalk or multi-use paths installed within the NCDOT right-of-way (form 16.6). Response: Noted, no sidewalk or multi-use path is proposed in the scope of this project. Location: N/A. 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com SITE PLAN COMMENTS 1. Sight Triangles and Sight Distance: • Show and label the 10’ X 70’ NCDOT sight triangles. o No obstructions shall be placed within the NCDOT sight triangles. Response: The 10’x70’ NCDOT sight triangles are recorded under PB 59 Pg 96. Location: 6020 – C020 – ALTA NSPS Land Survey • Show and label the stopping sight distance. o No obstructions shall be placed within the stopping sight distance. Response: NCDOT does not list a speed limit for this road on their GIS, so a sight triangle could not be accurately drawn in the scope of this submittal. However, no improvements are proposed along the NCDOT right-of-way. This will be coordinated through the driveway permit. Location: N/A 2. Identification Signing and Landscaping: • Identification signing or landscape vegetation within the median and the sight distance triangle must not obstruct the driver’s line of sight. No landscaping or signing will be allowed to exceed 42 inches in height, measured from the Edge of Pavement (EOP) within the median or sight triangle. Response: No identification signage or landscape vegetation is proposed within the median or sight distance triangles. Location: N/A • All pylon signs in the median or sight distance triangle must provide a vertical clear sight zone between 3 feet-6 inches and 10 feet-0 inches measured from the EOP. Signing located within a clear recovery area shall be of a “breakaway design.” Response: Acknowledged, no pylon signs are proposed in the scope of this project. Location: N/A 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com • Only low growing shrubbery, consistent with the NCDOT’s landscaping policies, as contained in the publication “Guidelines for Planting Within Highway Right of Way,” will be allowed within a landscaped median and the sight distance triangle at the entranceway to a development, whether the street or driveway connection to the State Highway System is designated as a public facility or not. Landscaping within the right-of- way and sight distance triangles may require additional approval by the District Engineer. Response: Noted, no improvements are proposed in the sight distance triangles or medians. Location: N/A WMPO – LUKE HUTSON NCDOT PROJECTS 1. U-4902D US 17 BUS (Market Street) – access management improvements from SR 1403 (Middle Sound Loop Road) to SR 2290 (Mendenhall Drive). This project is in direct/close proximity to the proposed site location and is currently under construction. The project is estimated to be approximately 85% complete as of November 2025 with an estimated date of completion as December 30, 2025. Is in close proximity to this site. Response: Acknowledged, the proposed development will not be constructed until 2027. Location: N/A. WMPO 2050 MTP PROJECTS 1. U-4902D – Is also in the 2050 MTP. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A NEW HANOVER COUNTY PROJECTS 1. N/A Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A. 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067 www.atwell.com TIA: 1. Based on the 11th edition ITE Trip Generation Manual, a TIA is not required for the proposed addition. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – BRAD SHAVER 1. No comments provided. Response: Acknowledged. Location: N/A. Please reach out if there are any additional questions or concerns. Respectfully, Rachel Sutherland EIT Associate Project Manager ATWELL, LLC 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 650, Marietta, GA 30067