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Ordinance Amending the Official Zoning Maps of the City of Wilmington to Rezone Property Containing 4.08 Acres Located at 2929 Market Street from O&I, Office & Institutional to MD-17(CD), High-density Multiple Dwelling (Conditional District) for a 120-unit Workforce Housing Residential Development (CD-2-825)
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Department: |
Planning & Development |
Meeting Date: |
9/23/2025 |
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Contact Name: |
Patrick O’Mahony |
Public Hearing: |
Yes |
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Contact Phone: |
910-341-3260 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
9/12/2025; 9/19/2025 - StarNews |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Ordinance; Attachment #2: Case Summary; Attachment #3: Site Plan; Attachment #4: Elevations; Attachment #5: Application; Attachment #6: Community Meeting Report; Attachment #7: Aerial Map; Attachment #8: Land Use and Zoning map; Attachment #9: Growth Strategies Map; Attachment #10: Walk Wilmington Map; Attachment #11: Planning Commission Public Comments; Attachment #12: Planning Commission Recommendation |
PURPOSE:
The applicant proposes to rezone the site from O&I, Office & Institutional district, to MD-17(CD), High-density Multiple Dwelling district (Conditional District), for a 120-unit workforce housing residential development.
BACKGROUND:
This item was continued from City Council’s September 9, 2025, meeting due to an advertising error. The proposed development includes demolishing the existing hotel and constructing two four-story multiple-dwelling structures containing 120 units. The proposal includes 48 one-bedroom units, 40 two-bedroom units, and 32 three-bedroom units, for a total of 224 bedrooms. The site will be accessible from a driveway along Market Street and a driveway along N. 30th Street.
Density within the MD-17 zoning district is limited to 17 units per acre. If workforce housing is provided for at least 10 percent of the units for at least 15 years, the allowable density may be increased to 36 units per acre. The applicant proposes workforce housing for the entire project with a density of 29.4 units per acre.
The Comprehensive Plan promotes quality design, site planning, and location of new development and redevelopment near commercial services and transit lines. The proposed development is compatible with the surrounding area, takes advantage of existing utilities, and increases affordable housing options along a central corridor.
The Planning Commission held a legislative hearing on August 6, 2025. Three people spoke in support of the request, and three people spoke in opposition to the request. A total of 18 written comments were submitted, with the majority expressing concerns about the development, including stormwater, traffic, and building height. Following discussion, the Planning Commission voted to recommend conditional approval, 4-1.
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BUDGET IMPACT:
N/A
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff recommends approval of the request to MD-17(CD) based on consistency with the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan, particularly policies 1.2.2, 3.1.1, 3.1.6, and 9.6.1.