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New Hanover commissioners approve three rezoning requests, add emergency gate and tree protections
Summary
The county board approved three commercial rezoning requests and a package of conditions including a required 100‑year stormwater design at one site, an emergency‑access Knox gate at another, and noted protections for heritage trees on a Market Street infill parcel.
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners on April 6 approved three separate rezoning requests that will allow expanded commercial uses at sites along Carolina Beach Road, Castle Creek and Market Street.
At the start of zoning business, the board approved a modification to an existing conditional B2 district for three parcels at 5301–5311 Carolina Beach Road. Applicant Cindee Wolf said the petition broadens permitted neighborhood‑serving uses, adds a shared stormwater system and moves outdoor storage to a screened yard. Staff noted the project includes a stormwater condition guaranteeing design to the 100‑year storm attenuation standard. The board approved the modification after commissioners agreed to strike a proposed animal‑shelter use and added wholesaling per the applicant’s request.
Later the board voted to rezone about 8.36 acres at 3508 Harnett Avenue to expand the Castle Creek Business Park. Staff and the applicant described three warehouse/flex buildings, two stormwater ponds and truck circulation. Commissioners pressed for measures to protect nearby residents and asked the applicant to add a permanent emergency gate with Knox‑box access to a Harnett Avenue driveway; the board approved the rezoning with that condition.
On a separate small‑site request at 7037 Market Street, developer Dave Spetrino sought a straight rezoning from R15 to B2 for a 0.58‑acre parcel. Several commissioners and the planning‑board representative expressed discomfort with a straight rezoning on a small infill lot with five specimen live oaks, urging a conditional rezoning instead. The applicant and planning‑board majority argued the site will most likely host low‑intensity retail or office and said heritage trees on the lot are protected under county rules once rezoned. The board approved the straight rezoning after discussion; staff noted that specimen and heritage trees on rezoned parcels are subject to protection and mitigation rules that do not apply to sub‑acre residential parcels under the current zoning.
Each of the three items passed with motions recorded during the April 6 meeting. No member of the public had registered to speak in opposition at the hearings for the first two items; the Market Street application drew discussion from commissioners and the planning‑board representative during the public hearing.
The board’s actions now move the sites into subsequent review steps (technical review, permitting and, where required, TRC conditions) before any building permits are issued.
The board adjourned the agenda items after completing votes and moved on to other business.
