Commissioners approve rezoning for Market Street convenience store, fuel island and 12 townhomes

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a conditional rezoning for a 5.18‑acre parcel at Market Street and Alexander Road to allow a mixed commercial and residential development that will include a convenience store with fuel stations, a quick‑service restaurant with drive‑through, and 12 row‑style attached dwellings.

County staff described the site as currently wooded and primarily surrounded by low‑density residential R‑15 zoning. Staff noted the site falls along the Market Street corridor, which functions largely as commercial frontage, and recommended conditions to address tree retention, stormwater management and pedestrian connections. A planning board recommendation in favor preceded the commissioners' hearing; staff reported the planning board voted 6–0 to recommend approval.

Corrie Lee, representing applicant Golden Ventures 1 and Equitas Law Partners, framed the request as a corridor‑appropriate commercial use with a residential transition: "So you can see there's a green assets to the south ... the Market Street corridor is commercial, but in terms of providing a visual, I thought this would be helpful," Lee said while showing renderings and a tree survey.

Sean Poole and other Sheetz representatives described the proposed convenience store prototype, including six “dives” (islands) and 12 fueling positions; Poole said Sheetz typically supports local community organizations and participates in food‑donation programs. Natalie English, president and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor and urged commissioners to "be creative" and to support the incremental addition of 12 housing units.

Staff and the applicant told commissioners a traffic impact analysis calculated a net increase of roughly 155 AM peak and 124 PM peak hour trips compared with current zoning and required the addition of a right‑turn and deceleration lane on Market Street. The applicant said 75% of convenience‑store trips are anticipated to be pass‑by traffic already on Market Street. An underground stormwater detention and a proposed pump station were described; engineer Nick Loretta said the system will convey flows under Market Street to existing culverts and meet county stormwater retention standards.

During board discussion, Commissioner Zappel asked whether the rezoning effectively reduced the number of residences that could be built as a by‑right R‑15 development; a staff reply said the project would allow 12 attached units where the by‑right capacity could be about 13 detached units. Commissioners questioned access for motorists seeking to travel northbound on Market Street from the site; staff and applicant representatives explained drivers would have to exit southbound and use a median turnaround or access Alexander Road to reach a signalized intersection.

A motion to approve the rezoning, including the recommended conditions on tree retention, stormwater maintenance, pedestrian easements, and required turn‑lane improvements, carried by voice vote. The motion included the formal findings of consistency with the 2016 Comprehensive Plan and the board's determination that the rezoning is reasonable and in the public interest given the proposed transition from corridor to adjacent housing.

The rezoning approval is conditional on technical review committee (TRC) approval and compliance with Unified Development Ordinance requirements during permitting. The applicant told commissioners it does not yet have a builder for the residential portion and that the 12 units are expected to be sold as individually owned townhouses rather than rentals.