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Wilmington Board of Adjustments overturns city's finding on Longleaf Acres backstop
Summary
On April 16, 2026, the Wilmington Board of Adjustments overturned a zoning officer's determination that a structure at 646 Longleaf Acres Drive was an unlawful fence, ruling the lacrosse backstop may not meet the city's fence definition and allowing the family to keep it. The decision followed staff presentation, multiple neighbor testimonies and brief deliberation.
The Wilmington Board of Adjustments on April 16, 2026, voted to overturn a city zoning officer's determination that a structure at 646 Longleaf Acres Drive was a fence in violation of City Code 18-325, a decision that allows the homeowners to keep the lacrosse backstop.
The case began with city staff's presentation that a compliance inspection on Jan. 30 found a structure roughly 12 feet tall within the 20-foot front setback and that a notice of violation was issued on Feb. 6; the homeowners filed an appeal with the city clerk on March 2. Patrick, presenting for the city, said the Land Development Code (LDC) sets front-yard height limits (4 feet in the first 20 feet) and restricts certain materials in front setbacks, and that a permanently affixed structure could be considered a fence under the code.
Applicant Nicole Jones told the board she and her husband installed the…
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