Planning board recommends two rezonings and forwards rules changes to commissioners; minutes approved

The New Hanover County Planning Board on May 7 approved several noncontroversial items and forwarded proposed internal rule changes to the county commissioners for consideration.

Minutes: The board approved combined minutes from the agenda-review meeting on March 3, 2026 and the regular March 5, 2026 meeting after a motion and voice vote.

Rezoning Z2605: Staff presented a conditional office and institutional rezoning to bring an existing ~4,000-square-foot commercial building on Carolina Beach Road into compliance with the unified development ordinance. Staff recommended approval with three conditions (use restrictions, tree preservation, and a public-access easement). No public speakers registered in favor or opposition; the board moved and recommended approval.

Rezoning Z2606 (Seabreeze): Staff recommended rezoning approximately 1.01 acres of a 7.11-acre parcel from B-2 to R-15 to eliminate split zoning, citing floodplain and limited commercial suitability. Applicant representative Rick Moore said the request corrects a legacy condition and aligns with the 2016 comprehensive plan. The board recommended approval by voice vote.

Board rules: The board voted to forward updated planning board rules of procedure (formatting and minor clarifications to align with commissioners' policies) to the Board of County Commissioners for review and approval.

These items, along with the planning board discussion and advisory comments from the May 7 meeting, will appear on the county commissioners' June 1 agenda where final decisions or approvals will be made.