Local residents react to potential rezoning on Independence Boulevard

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Almost three acres of land in the City of Wilmington could be rezoned to make way for more housing and commercial use.

At Wednesday’s Wilmington Planning Commission meeting, the board voted 4-1 in favor of rezoning 1320 Independence Boulevard. Developers want to build 16, three bedroom town homes and a four-story, nearly 33,000 sqft mixed use building. But some neighbors of the property like Tim Rahauser don’t necessarily agree.

“But for us it’s really, not really if its possible to put project there, it’s if it’s a good idea to put that project there. So, we understand that the planning committee has to do their job, but hopefully city council also does their job and understands the size of the project and the location where they’re trying to put it.”

During the meeting, a staff report found the project falls in line with the city’s comprehensive plan. It would help provide additional housing,  and its along the city’s multi-use path and transit line. Local resident Logan Secord, the lone person who spoke in favor of the project during public input, said growth is inevitable and this plan seems to do it properly.

“Mixed-Use Infill in particular is going to be the strategic way to do this. Throughout the city on a high level, as you guys are called to do, we need to look at this and say ‘how can we reduce the overall traffic in the city?’ You’re creating a further way to localize within the City of Wilmington.

While Rahauser agrees that growth is coming, he thinks there could be better areas for development.

“Yeah for us, smart development is really a big thing and that particular plot of land is an area that might not be the best fit for a larger scale project.”