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Ordinance Amending the Official Zoning Maps of the City to Initially Zone Property Containing 19.21 Acres of Land Located at 7725, 7729, 7753, & 7759 Alexander Road to MD-17(CD), High-Density Multiple-Dwelling Residential District (Conditional District) for a 253-Unit Multiple-Dwelling Development
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Department: |
Planning & Development |
Meeting Date: |
January 7, 2025 |
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Contact Name: |
Patrick O’Mahony |
Public Hearing: |
Yes |
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Contact Phone: |
910.341.3257 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
December 27, 2024; January 3, 2025/StarNews |
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Attachments: |
Ordinance Case Summary Attachment 1: Proposed Site Plan Attachment 2: Conditional Rezoning Application Attachment 3: Proposed Elevations Attachment 4: Community Meeting Report Attachment 5: Public Comments to Planning Commission Attachment 6: Planning Commission Recommendation Attachment 7: Draft Planning Commission Minutes |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this ordinance is to establish City zoning on the recently-annexed subject site. The applicant proposes to initially zone five parcels, totaling ±19.21 acres, located at 7725, 7729, 7753, & 7759 Alexander Road to MD-17(CD), High-Density Multiple-Dwelling Residential District (Conditional District) for a 253-unit multiple dwelling development.
BACKGROUND:
On December 3, 2024, City Council approved the annexation of the site, with an effective date of January 1, 2025. The site is currently zoned R-15 in unincorporated New Hanover County in an area that is predominantly single-dwelling residential. Current uses of the site include manufactured homes and two single-dwelling detached residential homes.
The proposal is to consider the initial zoning of property from New Hanover County R-15 to City of Wilmington MD-17(CD), High-Density Multiple-Dwelling Residential District (Conditional District) for a 253-Unit multiple-dwelling development. The proposal includes six multi-dwelling buildings, accessory garages, an amenity center, and a leasing center. The applicant has proposed 10% of the units (25) as workforce housing for a period of 15 years; 12 of which are proposed at 80% Area Median Income (“AMI”) and 13 of which are proposed at 60% AMI. No new street rights-of-way are proposed within this project, and all drives are private internal drives.
The Comprehensive Plan states that redevelopment should maintain or enhance the desired character of the surrounding area, improve access to goods, services, and amenities, increase housing options, and improve the overall quality of life in the vicinity. The plan also supports higher residential density near commercial services and along transit routes. The site is not located within close proximity to commercial services or employment centers, and does not have access to traditional transit services. Commercial uses are generally not walkable in this area. The closest grocery or general retail store is more than ½-mile away. Site access is limited to a local residential street that directly connects to Market Street at two right-in / right-out only intersections. All vehicle trips generated by the development will access Market Street, which is currently operating above its designed capacity. Therefore, staff recommends denial of the conditional rezoning request.
The Planning Commission held a legislative hearing on November 13, 2024. No one spoke in opposition to the request. One individual spoke in favor of the request. After discussion, the Planning Commission voted 5-1 to approve the initial zoning as requested.
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BUDGET IMPACT:
Land Use Action
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff recommends denial of the requested MD-17(CD) zoning based on inconsistency with the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan, particularly policies 1.2.2, 1.4.1, 1.4.4, and 1.11.3.