Brunswick County commissioners reject rezoning request for 59-acre Stella Drive parcel

Brunswick County commissioners voted 3-2 Aug. 18 to deny a rezoning request that would have changed a 58.9-acre parcel at 7190 Stella Drive (tax parcel 02100058) from Commercial Intensive (CI) to R-7,500 (medium-density residential).

The item, filed as rezoning case Z-917, came before the board as a de novo public hearing after the county planning board approved the downzoning 5-1. Planning staff had recommended approval, saying the request was “consistent with the Blueprint Brunswick 2040 comprehensive place type designation and consistent with the goals, recommendations, and policies of the plan,” and noting the property is not in a flood hazard area.

The applicant’s representative, Sam Frank, told commissioners the application was intended as a downzoning to align the parcel with the county comprehensive plan. “What’s presented to you tonight is a downzoning from commercial intensive use, to medium density residential use,” Frank said, and he told the board the change would reduce the intensity of potential future uses compared with what CI zoning allows.

Opponents, including residents who live adjacent to the parcel, asked the commissioners to deny the request. Kimberly Parker, who said she lives on Stella Drive, told the board the area includes wetlands and that recent heavy…