Council approves rezoning at 1600 W. Eighth St. for 57-unit senior affordable housing project

Wilmington City Council voted on March 6 to rezone a portion of the parcel at 1600 West Eighth Street, approving a change from R-3 (one-family row houses) to R-5A1 (low- to medium-density apartment houses) to permit a 57‑unit affordable senior housing development to be built above an existing hospital parking garage.

The rezoning matter was presented to council by Gwyneth Kaminsky of the Department of Land Use and Planning, who said the subject parcel is noncontiguous and currently split-zoned; the portion proposed for rezoning is developed with a two‑story parking garage and sits within a block bounded by West Sixth, West Seventh, North Scott and North Dupont streets. “The applicant is requesting R‑5A1… because it would allow the development of a 57 unit affordable senior housing facility to be known as the Vistas at Saint Francis,” Kaminsky said.

Councilman Johnson, the sponsor, told council the project represents a model for affordable housing development, citing sustained community engagement. “They've gone door to door. We've pulled the community. We've actually even made changes… because of the feedback of the community,” Johnson said. Multiple council members voiced support during third reading, and the ordinance was adopted by roll call: eight yes votes and five absent.

Why it matters: Council and staff said the R‑5A1 district is intended to permit low‑ to medium‑density apartments adjacent to single‑family areas, with maximum height and density limits controlled by a floor‑area ratio of 2 and a height cap of five stories. Planning staff found the rezoning consistent with Wilmington's comprehensive plan (Wilmington 2028) and said no plan amendment was required. Under the approved zoning the existing parking garage remains a permitted use; the proposed housing will be built above it and will be a matter‑of‑right use under R‑5A1 once the rezoning takes effect.

Council discussion and next steps: Sponsors and backers emphasized that developers held several community meetings, incorporated resident feedback and adjusted plans — including seeking R‑5A1 rather than a higher‑density alternative — to be compatible with nearby row homes. The Planning Commission recommended approval at its Jan. 21 meeting and the city law department prepared findings supporting the ordinance. City staff noted that all future construction on the rezoned portion must comply with applicable zoning regulations and development standards.

The council adopted Ordinance 25-003; the vote was recorded as eight yes, five absent. The project was described in the record as the Vistas at Saint Francis, a 57‑unit affordable senior housing proposal to be built above the existing two‑story garage owned by Saint Francis Hospital Inc.