NHC Planning Board discusses developing west bank of Cape Fear, approves rezoning proposal along Carolina Beach Road
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Planning Board discussed the Western Bank of the Cape Fear River’s potential development during Thursday afternoon.
Starting tomorrow, an amendment about developing the western bank will be made available for public comment.
The western bank extends from the Isabel Holmes Bridge down to just north of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.
Developing that side of the river has faced environmental concerns, along with the potential for sunny day flooding, an issue the Battleship North Carolina has long had to deal with.
Board member Hansen Matthews said this will be a great opportunity for the community to help determine what happens to the west bank.
“Everybody sitting in this room has got some preconceived idea of what the other side of the river should look like when its finished,” Matthews said. “And every one of them is different. And this is your chance, if you’re sitting in this room, wherever you’re sitting watching this meeting, this is your chance to get involved, have your opinion known.”
The public comment period for developing the west bank will remain open until June 28th, but there is no timeline for when any development along the west bank could start if approved.
Additionally, the board also heard from a dozen people who spoke out against a proposed rezoning along Carolina Beach Road.
The rezoning would allow for the development of a 64-unit multi-family apartment complex.
Several people worried about the impact the development would have on traffic, but John Wisner, a former fire chief, had a more pressing concern.
“I’ve always instilled upon trying to have two entrance ways so that resources are able to get in and get out because again, if there is a disaster, resources want to get in and they can’t get in if people are coming out and so it becomes a great bottleneck,” Wisner said.
The rezoning proposal was approved 5-0 by the board and will go before the County Commissioners for final approval at their July meeting.
