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Council approves conditional rezoning for two Writesville Avenue parcels
Summary
Wilmington City Council unanimously approved rezoning 5320 and 5322 Writesville Avenue from R15 to R5 CD, accepting an applicant commitment to tree protection and an attached accessory dwelling unit; the planning staff had recommended denial but the planning commission had previously approved the request.
Wilmington City Council voted unanimously to rezone two parcels on Writesville Avenue to a medium-density residential conditional district, approving a plan that splits an existing lot and includes a new single-family home with an attached accessory dwelling unit. Council Member Andrews moved approval, saying the change increases housing options and fits the neighborhood context; the motion was seconded by Council Member Joiner and carried without dissent.
Planner Zach Smith told the council staff’s position that the proposed amendment is inconsistent with the Create Wilmington comprehensive plan, citing concerns about the new structure’s setback and potential impacts to critical root zones for trees. "Staff believes the proposed zoning amendment is inconsistent with the Create Wilmington comprehensive plan and recommends denial," he said during the public hearing.
Applicant Cindy Wolf said the proposal commits to saving large trees and to siting the new home closer to the front setback with side parking to preserve the corridor’s character. "The single family home we committed to saving those bigger trees," Wolf told council, explaining that the design was revised after staff comments and that a conditional district was requested to provide transparency about the design constraints and tree protection measures.
Council members asked about the new unit’s configuration and prevailing setbacks along the block face; staff walked the council through exhibits showing variable setbacks on Writesville and Park avenues and noted that previous rezonings in the area had created rear lots. No members of the public spoke in opposition, and the planning commission’s unanimous approval at its February meeting was noted during debate.
The council also voted unanimously to waive the second reading of the ordinance. The rezoning action will be implemented under the terms the applicant committed to in the conditional-district documents and the council-recorded consistency statement.
The public hearing and final votes concluded the item; staff and the applicant indicated they would follow up on details such as structure dimensions and final ADU layout with planning staff.
