Wilmington public meetings in 2024

Planning Commission

The Wilmington Planning Commission voted 7-0 to approve a conditional district rezoning of a 1.28-acre property at 1729 Allens Lane from Office and Institutional to High-density multiple-dwelling residential for a residential development. The commission also voted 7-0 to withdraw a proposed LDC amendment that would have added a definition for 'residential marina' and allowed it in the R-20(L) district. Other business included an update on the Greater Downtown Plan and adoption of the 2025 meeting calendar.

• Conditional district rezoning approved for 1729 Allens Lane (parcel R06709-006-001-00) to MD-17 for residential development
• LDC amendment for 'residential marina' definition and use withdrawn by applicant, withdrawal approved 7-0
• Greater Downtown Plan update presented by Planning Manager Travis Henley
• 2025 Planning Commission Meeting Calendar adopted; next regular meeting January 8, 2025

City Council

The Wilmington City Council approved a consent agenda including the purchase of 22 police pursuit vehicles for $1.16 million and the naming of the Military Cutoff Bridge the 'Cornelius E. Nixon Bridge'. The body also approved a drone equipment grant and a sustainable building policy.

• Purchase of 22 police pursuit vehicles for $1,166,154
• Naming Military Cutoff Bridge the 'Cornelius E. Nixon Bridge'
• Approval of $162,191 for drone equipment and accessories
• Resolution adopting a Sustainable Municipal Building Policy
• Approval of $144,535 for Wallace Park playground replacement

City Council

The council approved a rezoning of properties at 1107 & 1109 S. Front Street, 1106 & 1112 S. 2nd Street, and multiple addresses on Marstellar Street from Light Industrial and Medium-High-Density Mixed Residential to Urban Mixed-Use. It also authorized $175,380 in ARPA funding for a stormwater project at 10th and Grace Streets, set a 25 mph speed limit on Dalmatian Lane and Switchyard Road, and closed an unimproved portion of an alley between S. Front and S. 2nd Street.

• Rezoned 2.82 acres at 1107 & 1109 S. Front Street, 1106 & 1112 S. 2nd Street, and 101-116 Marstellar Street from LI and R-3 to UMX
• Supplemental appropriation of $175,380 from ARPA for stormwater project at 10th and Grace Streets
• Ordinance establishing 25 mph speed limit on Dalmatian Lane and Switchyard Road
• Closed unimproved portion of an unnamed alley between S. Front Street and S. 2nd Street
• Closed unimproved portion of South 23rd Street right-of-way south of Gibson Avenue

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is reviewing several conditional district rezoning requests. Two applications were withdrawn, while one request for a high-density residential development remains under consideration.

• Proposed rezoning of 19.4 acres at 7725, 7729, 7753, 7759 Alexander Road to MD-17(CD) for a 253-unit development
• Withdrawn rezoning of 7.56 acres at 4950 Holly Tree Road and 340 Westchester Road for a private recreational facility
• Withdrawn rezoning of 60.91 acres at 3990 Independence Boulevard for a residential development

City Council

The City Council decided on several infrastructure contracts and zoning changes. The body approved funding for emergency power and road surveys, as well as new speed limits for specific residential streets.

• Contract with Lancaster Electric Company, LLC for $695,014 to replace generators at Fire Station Headquarters and Fire Station No. 7
• Rezoned 0.57 acres at 508, 510, 512, & 516 McRae Street to R-3(CD) for two triplex structures
• Contract with Transmap Engineering, PLLC for $133,225 for a Pavement Condition Survey
• Contract with Gordian Group, Inc. for $147,267 for a Facility Condition Assessment
• Established 25 mph speed limits on Coosaw Place, Orchid Drive, Ansley Drive, and Hollingsworth Drive

City Council

The City Council approved a $6.3 million project to upfit the Skyline Center and a $1.2 million contract for the Masonboro Road Loop Trail Phase II. The body also authorized a $121,075 contract for tree stump removal and addressed housing code violations at three properties.

• Contract for Skyline Center upfit project: $6,299,636
• Construction contract for Masonboro Road Loop Trail Phase II: $1,220,484
• Contract for tree stump removal city-wide: $121,075
• Housing code violations at 1311 Simon Street, 1312 South 4th Street, and 1314 South 4th Street
• Housing code violation at 761 George Trask Drive

City Council

The Wilmington City Council will vote on a nine‑month, $1,100,000 contract with Genuine Parts Company for vehicle equipment and parts. It will also consider several other contracts, grant applications, and ordinances, including a demolition contract for 305 & 315 Chestnut Street and a grant to replace the Lions Bridge at Greenfield Park. Public hearings will address a hazardous structure at 255 N. Front Street and a right‑of‑way closure on South 23rd Street. The meeting includes routine approvals of minutes and other consent agenda items.

• Resolution authorizing a $1,100,000 nine‑month contract with Genuine Parts Company for vehicle equipment (C4.b)
• Resolution awarding a $583,000 demolition contract to 4 Seasons Demolition for 305 & 315 Chestnut Street (O4.b)
• Resolution to apply for a $500,000 Great Trails State Grant to replace Lions Bridge at Greenfield Park (C5)
• Ordinance directing the closure and repair of a health‑hazard structure at 255 N. Front Street (PH1)
• Ordinance amending Board of Adjustment membership to add two alternate members (O5)

The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance directing the enforcement officer to vacate, close, and repair the nonresidential structure at 255 North Front Street as a health and safety hazard, with a 180-day timeline for the owner to complete repairs. The council also approved several consent agenda items, including contracts for fiber installation, vehicle parts, and grant applications, and held public hearings on a street closing and the city's annual housing report. All other ordinances and resolutions on the agenda were approved unanimously.

• Approved ordinance to vacate, close, and repair 255 N. Front St. (unanimous)
• Approved $180,000 fiber installation contract with Tri County Alarm Systems (consent)
• Approved $400,000 contract renewal with Walker Automotive Supply (consent)
• Approved $1.1M contract with Genuine Parts Company for vehicle parts (consent)
• Approved $500,000 grant application for Lions Bridge replacement (consent)
• Approved $54,669 supplemental appropriation for housing programs (unanimous)
• Approved $450,000 Safe Streets grant appropriation and resolution (unanimous)
• Approved $140,000 opioid settlement funds transfer to New Hanover County (unanimous)

Agenda Briefing

The Wilmington City Council held an agenda briefing for the September 17, 2024 meeting, discussing several items but taking no formal votes. City Manager Tony Caudle addressed questions on a petition for annexation and opioid settlement funds, and noted a request to continue an ordinance for closing a portion of South 23rd Street. The council received presentations on proposed amphitheater improvements funded by Live Nation, Longleaf Pine restoration at Halyburton Park, and Land Development Code updates, but no decisions were made.

• No formal decisions or votes taken at this briefing
• Discussed request to continue Item PH2 (South 23rd Street closing) to a later date
• Reviewed proposed Greenfield Lake Amphitheater improvements (est. $240,000, funded by Live Nation)
• Reviewed Longleaf Pine restoration progress at Halyburton Park (12 acres completed)
• Reviewed Land Development Code amendments, including outdoor event increase from 2 to 20 in CBD

City Council

The Wilmington City Council will consider a consent agenda that includes approvals of minutes and several contract resolutions. It will vote on a $2.8 million increase to the annual roadway maintenance contract with Highland Paving Co., as well as contracts for HVAC air‑purification equipment ($118,905) and a use‑of‑force simulator lease (up to $139,769). Public hearings will address three zoning map amendments affecting properties on McRae Street and S. Kerr Avenue. Additional ordinances will fund affordable‑housing gap financing, technology upgrades, and trail right‑of‑way acquisitions.

• C5: Increase contract amount by $2,800,000 for the Annual Needs Roadway Maintenance Contract with Highland Paving Co., LLC
• C2: Contract with Thermaltran Mechanical Inc. for HVAC air‑purification equipment, $118,905 (ARPA funds)
• C3: Lease of a Use of Force Simulator System with VirTra, Inc., up to $139,769
• PH1: Rezone 0.57 acre at 508‑516 McRae Street from CB to R‑3(CD) for two triplexes
• O1.b: Ordinance appropriating $3,150,000 of General Fund for affordable‑housing development Avenue Flats

The Wilmington City Council unanimously approved a rezoning of 6.56 acres on S. Kerr Avenue to allow a 184-unit workforce housing development, and appropriated $3.15 million in general fund balance for gap financing for the project. The council also approved several other items, including a $2.8 million increase to a roadway maintenance contract, a $1.7 million appropriation for building improvements for a federal lease, and a $27,308 appropriation for police technology upgrades. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved rezoning of 507-529 S. Kerr Ave to MD-17(CD) for 184-unit workforce housing (unanimous)
• Appropriated $3,150,000 for Avenue Flats affordable housing gap financing (unanimous)
• Authorized $2,800,000 increase to Highland Paving roadway maintenance contract (unanimous)
• Appropriated $1,700,000 for improvements to 115 N. 3rd St and 114 N. 2nd St for GSA lease (unanimous)
• Appropriated $27,308 for Keycafe key tracking system and camera tower upgrades (unanimous)
• Approved ordinance allowing up to six commercial pedal vehicles for hire (unanimous)
• Authorized application for $2,400,000 grant for South 17th Street multi-use path (unanimous)
• Authorized condemnation actions for Greenville Loop Trail Section 2 (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council decided on several high-value contracts for police equipment and marina repairs. The body also addressed property leases and the condemnation of a dwelling deemed unfit for habitation.

• Five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for police in-car cameras and Fusus system for $3,662,333
• Construction contract of $1,160,076 to Harp Builders, Inc. for Riverwalk North Marina Repair Project
• Ordinance to vacate, close, and repair or demolish the dwelling at 1209 South 7th Street
• Agreement with Truelove Fabrications, Inc. for $168,632 for animal habitats at Halyburton Park’s Nature Center
• Master License Agreement with Dell Financial Services, L.L.C. with an annual cost not to exceed $150,000

City Council

The Wilmington City Council will vote on a resolution to apply for a $2,758,200 grant to fund a three‑year workforce housing voucher program. The meeting also includes a consent agenda, several contract authorizations for police and fire equipment, and public hearings on zoning changes for properties on Independence Boulevard, Switchyard Road, and McRae Street. An ordinance will allocate $50,000 of grant funds for e‑bikes and other equipment. All items are subject to council approval.

• Resolution R1: Apply for $2,758,200 New Hanover Community Endowment grant for workforce housing vouchers
• Resolution C3: Renew 3‑year contract with Evidence IQ for Ballistics IQ equipment, $307,497
• Resolution C4: Purchase two 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 work trucks, $102,656
• Public Hearing PH1: Rezone 2.39 acres at 1320 Independence Boulevard to Office & Institutional (Conditional) for mixed‑use development
• Ordinance O1: Supplemental appropriation of $50,000 for e‑bikes, BERLA iVe Toolkit, and decibel meters

City Council

The Wilmington City Council met on July 16, 2024, to approve contracts, zoning changes, and resolutions. Key decisions included awarding contracts for golf course irrigation upgrades, authorizing security and elevator maintenance services, and approving zoning map amendments for three properties. The council also declared two city-owned properties surplus and supported state legislation on drinking water contamination.

• $1,239,921 contract to Environmental Designs, Inc. for Wilmington Municipal Golf Course irrigation system replacement
• $683,237 contract to Smith Turf & Irrigation, LLC for Wilmington Municipal Golf Course irrigation system replacement
• $1,406,057 purchase of 2027 Pierce Enforcer rescue vehicle from Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Inc.
• Rezoning of 1.79-acre property at 1618 Dawson Street from UMX to CS(CD) for general retail with fuel pumps
• Declaration of 114 North 2nd Street and 115 Market Street as surplus city-owned properties