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…