Commissioners vote to look for money to preserve western bank of Cape Fear River

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County commissioners discussed a proposed amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan Monday night that could have allowed future development of the Western Bank of the Cape Fear River across from downtown Wilmington.

Right now, most of this area is zoned for industrial use.

About 3,000 comments were submitted to commissioners about the amendment, and less than 10 comments were in favor of development.

Several residents who spoke at the meeting said that the development of the West Bank is dangerous due to the potential risk of flooding.

Commissioner Dane Scalise said the county needs to explore further what can be done to preserve the West Bank, as it is.

“Why haven’t we asked our partners at the state or the federal government about their willingness to purchase this property and turn it into an area of preservation,” Scalise said. “We haven’t done that yet. I think that its premature for us to expand these development opportunities in the Western Bank before we’ve even see if there is a possibility to purchase this property voluntarily and preserve it in perpetuity.”

The board unanimously voted to have county staff look into what state and federal grants or funds are available to preserve the western bank as a natural area.

UNCW geologist Roger Shew said he’s happy with the board’s decision.

“Whenever they were making that announcement, that to me was about the best that we can hope for right now,” Shew said. “What we’d like to see is they listen to the community and we’re very pleased with that. All of them voting unanimously as a matter of fact to support looking at this for the possibility of using it for a conservation area.”

The exact timeline for when staff might be able to bring any state or federal funding possibilities to the board for the West Bank is not known at this time.