Only months after asking for a height increase, developers responsible for the North Blount Street Master Plan asked for an increase in residential and commercial space. Planning Commission members approved the change.
Overall, the five-block area south of Peace Street, between North Wilmington and North Person streets, will see an additional 250 residential units and 25,000 square feet of commercial space.
Most of the increase will be on the Wilmington side.
Neighbors at the meeting complained about the anticipated increase in traffic. They also expressed concerns about a lack of communication between the developer and the residents since the master plan’s approval in 2006.
Resident John Brooks said the developer also went against his commitment to market the restored historical home as single family. Of the five restored, three are occupied by businesses.
The application was approved by a vote of 7 to 1, with Isabelle Mattox requesting more time for review. It will now go to the City Council for a final vote.
Blue Ridge Road Apartments Approved
Planning Commission members unanimously approved the site plan for the Woodfield Marshall Park Apartments.
The high-density project is located on the south side of Blue Ridge Road just east of its intersection with Homewood Banks Drive.
The multifamily development would consist of about 360 residential units in one four-story building with a parking deck.
Due to the nature of the area, the development will have two exits to main roads instead of the three required. Despite that, the site plan was approved.
Glenwood South Site Plans Approved
Site plans were also approved for a small multifamily development for two pieces of property on the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Jefferson Street.
The plan calls for preserving the house at 1300 Glenwood Ave., but six residential units would also be built on the property. The vacant tract next to the property would also be developed by adding a duplex.
The properties would be joined together by a small parking area and green space.
Because the property is located within a national historic district, the design of the buildings would be modeled after existing homes in the area.
The introduction to multifamily housing drew some concern by neighbors, who felt that property owners might tear down existing homes and build rental properties.
They also felt it would exacerbate an already difficult parking situation.
UDO Review Gets Underway
The Planning Commission got started with its review of the Unified Development Ordinance, the complete rewrite of the city’s zoning code. The commission will discuss the UDO, chapter by chapter, at every one of its meetings until May.
The commission has 105 days to review the draft, but can ask for an extension. Below is schedule of special meetings, all of which will take place at city hall, 222 W. Hargett St. UDO documents can be found on the city’s website.
March 20, 2012; 9:00 am Room 303
March 20, 2012; 6:30 pm, Room 305
April 17, 2012; 9:00 am, Room 303
April 24, 2012; 6:30 pm, Room 303
May 15, 2012; 9:00 am, Room 303
May 15, 2012; 6:30 pm, Room 305
May 29, 2012; 9:00 am, Room 305
