Planning board holds preliminary forum for proposed Standard Technologies metal fabrication plant at Las Tortugas Drive

A preliminary forum held Nov. 6 by the New Hanover County Planning Board introduced a special use permit application (SB 2506) for an 85,000‑square‑foot metal fabrication facility at 4901 Las Tortugas Drive.

Chair: “The first item on tonight's agenda is a preliminary forum,” a statement that the board used to explain that no decision or recommendation would be made at this meeting and that the matter will be decided at a quasi‑judicial Board of Commissioners hearing. Staff advised the item is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at the New Hanover County Courthouse.

Staff presentation: Planner Ryan Bill described the site as a vacant, mostly cleared parcel adjacent to the FAA VORTAC navigation facility and DOT properties, accessed from Las Tortugas Drive via Holly Shelter Road and Barbados Boulevard. He said the applicant proposes a single‑story, 85,000‑square‑foot building with parking on the northeast and west sides and stormwater facilities along the southern site boundary and the west side of the building. Bill said a Type A opaque buffer will be required where the property abuts residential zoning, and that the site was originally zoned I‑2 (1972) and rezoned to I‑1 in 1996. He added, “The project is not estimated to generate over 100 AM and peak AM and PM peak hour trips,” a finding that, if accurate, means a traffic impact analysis is not required for this proposal; staff noted larger buildout scenarios could require a TIA.

Applicant remarks: Attorney Matt Nichols, representing Standard Technologies, said the company plans to perform laser metal fabrication, welding and powder coating inside an enclosed facility. Nichols said utilities would be provided by Cape Fear Public Utility Authority via a mainline extension and that the application had minor TRC comments addressed during sketch‑plan review. He said the operation is expected to create "I think at least 65 full time jobs." Nichols also told the board the applicant anticipates possible future expansion and would return to the board and commissioners if and when expansion is proposed.

Board questions and technical points: Board members asked about the comprehensive plan place‑type (staff noted the 2016 Comprehensive Plan designates the site as "general residential" but that adjacency to an employment center can allow flexibility), the number of parking spaces (site plans show roughly 127–130 spaces versus an estimated ~55 employees), and whether a pond or tree cluster on the aerial is regulated wetland. Engineer Jeremy Blair said a ditch along the southern perimeter is classified as a relatively permanent water (RPW) and that there are no traditional wetlands on‑site that would be impacted.

Environmental permits: An environmental engineer in the audience urged the applicant to be prepared to identify specific air, stormwater and wastewater permits tied to the facility's processes (for example, powder coating) and to demonstrate compliance, saying such permits are the primary public‑health controls for metal fabrication operations. Nichols said the company operates similar facilities in Ohio and would be prepared to address permits at the Board of Commissioners hearing.

Board perspective and next steps: Board members generally described the proposed use as a compatible, low‑impact I‑1 use and welcomed the potential jobs, noting local workforce connections (Cape Fear Community College). Several members encouraged the applicant to clarify expansion logistics (ownership structure and whether future changes would seek a new SUP or an amendment) for the commissioners. The preliminary forum closed at the end of the discussion; no formal recommendation or vote on the special use permit was taken. The matter will proceed to a quasi‑judicial public hearing before the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners with standing rules for testimony.