title
Ordinance Amending the Land Development Code, Chapter 18, to Provide a Height Exception for Hospitals (LDC-6-325)
body
Department:
Planning & Development
Meeting Date:
4/1/2025
Contact Name:
Brian Chambers
Public Hearing:
Yes
Contact Phone:
910-342-2782
Advertising Date/Advertised By:
3/21/2025
3/28/2025
StarNews
Attachments:
Attachment #1: Ordinance
Attachment #2: Case Summary
Attachment #3: Map of Existing O&I Districts and Hospital Locations
Attachment #4: Planning Commission Recommendation
Attachment #5: Draft Planning Commission Minutes
PURPOSE:
Staff proposes to amend the Land Development Code ("LDC") to provide a height exception for hospitals as part of the height adjustment and exceptions standards described in Section 18-423 of the LDC.
BACKGROUND:
The previous LDC (effective prior to 11/30/21, hereafter "Legacy Code") included a height exception for hospitals, schools, and religious assembly uses. These uses were granted an exception to the height limits of the district in which they were permitted, and were allowed a maximum building height of 150 feet. The current LDC does not include a height exception for specific uses but rather applies a height limit for all uses permitted within each zoning district uniformly.
While the height exception under the Legacy Code applied to multiple uses in multiple zoning districts, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, located on S. 17th Street, was the only project that took advantage of the additional height allowance. Most recently, the orthopedic hospital addition of 2017 was approved for a height of 107 feet. This proposed amendment would restore the 150-foot height exception for hospitals, thereby allowing any future hospital expansion to be developed under the same standard that was in place for prior expansions.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing regarding this LDC amendment on March 5, 2025. After discussion, the commission voted 6-0 in favor of recommending approval o...
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