Planning Commission recommends approval of conditional rezoning at 5324 Wrightsville Avenue
February 05, 2026 | Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
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The City of Wilmington Planning Commission on Feb. 4 recommended approval of a conditional district rezoning for 5324 Wrightsville Avenue, a 0.386-acre lot currently developed with a single-family home and an attached accessory dwelling unit.
Staff planner Zach Smith told the commission the applicant proposes to subdivide the property into two R-5 lots and build a new single-family home with an attached ADU on the Wrightsville Avenue frontage. Smith said the proposal is inconsistent with the predominant setback pattern along the block face and flagged potential impacts to critical root zones of significant trees; staff recommended denial based on inconsistency with the Create Wilmington comprehensive plan.
Applicant Cindy Wolf said the existing 1954 house is oriented toward Park Avenue and that the new house would provide improved street-facing design on Wrightsville Avenue while preserving large on-site trees, including a Darlington oak and a longleaf pine. "We are set back right now more than 33 feet from the frontage," Wolf said, noting that the revised design responds to staff concerns and that no community opposition was reported from the information meeting.
Commissioners questioned whether the rezoning would create nonconformities or allow a new house to sit closer to the street than surrounding homes. Smith explained that by-right redevelopment under R-15 would require a 20-foot front setback, while the proposed R-5 district would allow a 10-foot front setback; he also said the applicant's proposed layout would require a new sidewalk and that parking for the existing structure would likely be accessed from Park Avenue.
After discussion about preserving neighborhood character, precedent along the corridor and housing density goals, Commissioner Adams moved to recommend approval "subject to the conditions cited in the staff report," and Commissioner Cofer seconded. A roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from Commissioners Cofer, Adams, Pollock, Woodruff and the chair; the motion passed unanimously.
The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to City Council; appeals of unfavorable Planning Commission recommendations must be filed with the city clerk within 10 days of the hearing. The council is scheduled to consider appealed items on March 17, 2026, if applicable.
Staff planner Zach Smith told the commission the applicant proposes to subdivide the property into two R-5 lots and build a new single-family home with an attached ADU on the Wrightsville Avenue frontage. Smith said the proposal is inconsistent with the predominant setback pattern along the block face and flagged potential impacts to critical root zones of significant trees; staff recommended denial based on inconsistency with the Create Wilmington comprehensive plan.
Applicant Cindy Wolf said the existing 1954 house is oriented toward Park Avenue and that the new house would provide improved street-facing design on Wrightsville Avenue while preserving large on-site trees, including a Darlington oak and a longleaf pine. "We are set back right now more than 33 feet from the frontage," Wolf said, noting that the revised design responds to staff concerns and that no community opposition was reported from the information meeting.
Commissioners questioned whether the rezoning would create nonconformities or allow a new house to sit closer to the street than surrounding homes. Smith explained that by-right redevelopment under R-15 would require a 20-foot front setback, while the proposed R-5 district would allow a 10-foot front setback; he also said the applicant's proposed layout would require a new sidewalk and that parking for the existing structure would likely be accessed from Park Avenue.
After discussion about preserving neighborhood character, precedent along the corridor and housing density goals, Commissioner Adams moved to recommend approval "subject to the conditions cited in the staff report," and Commissioner Cofer seconded. A roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from Commissioners Cofer, Adams, Pollock, Woodruff and the chair; the motion passed unanimously.
The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to City Council; appeals of unfavorable Planning Commission recommendations must be filed with the city clerk within 10 days of the hearing. The council is scheduled to consider appealed items on March 17, 2026, if applicable.
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