Vision 2020

Below is the Planning Commission Agenda for Nov. 4th at which the Vision
2020 Consultant, Alan Harwood of EDAW, Inc. will be making a presentation.
The Planning Commission will be making a recommendation to City Council on
whether or not to adopt the plan. The item is 3rd on the agenda; however
the 2nd item is requested for continuance. The first item, the Land
Development Code, may take extendsive discussion, so it may be 7:00 before
the Commission gets to the Vision 2020 presentation. Staff's recommendation
is to adopt the Plan with the exception of the  specific height limits that
are proposed so that this issue can receive further study and public input.
At the end of the agenda is an outline summary of issues that are addressed
in the Plan. The Plan is available on the City's website at
ci.Wilmington.nc.us under "Hot Topics."

                                N O T I C E

      The Planning Commission will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers, City Hall, 3rd and Princess Streets, Wilmington, NC to hold the
following public hearings:  (Please note that the Planning Commission's
regular meeting date was changed to Thursday, November 4, 2004 due to
elections.)

Old Business:
1.    Approval of the Land Development Code (LDC)  An amendment to the Code
      of Ordinances to create a Land Development Code that amends and
      reformats Chapters 11 and 16 through 20 of the Code of Ordinances to
      include all land development regulations and creates new zoning
      districts, changes in uses permitted in certain zoning districts and
      changes to standards and other modifications.  Kevin Denny, Sr.
      Planner  (OBG-5-904)

2.    Conditional District Rezoning - Property containing approx. 0.93 acre
      (Tax Parcel #3136(08)-89-1427 & 3136(08)-89-2341) located at 225 Pine
      Grove Drive & 4901 Oleander Drive from R-10, Residential District to
      O&I(CD), Office & Institutional Conditional District for a two-story
      7,200 sq. ft. medical office.  Jim Diepenbrock, Associate Planner.
      (CD-8-1004)  THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED CONTINUANCE OF THIS ITEM TO
      THE DECEMBER 1, 2004 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.

New Business:
3.    Approval of the Vision 2020 Downtown Plan Update. ? Kaye Graybeal,
Planning    Manager.  (OBG-6-904)

      All supplementary materials related to these agenda items are
available for public inspection and review at the City of Wilmington
Planning Division, 305 Chestnut Street, during the normal working hours
between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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|Below is City staffs' determination of the main points of the Plan:                 |
|                                                                                    |
|More and Enhanced Public Spaces                                                     |
|Waterfront Parks                                                                    |
|Waterfront Parks Committee                                                          |
|Streetscape Improvements                                                            |
|Create Downtown Public Space "Squares"                                              |
|Green Envelope ? Connections to Other Green Spaces                                  |
|Encourage Outdoor Activity in Public Space                                          |
|Improve Orientation to the River ? Create East/West Connections                     |
|                                                                                    |
|More Efficient Development Pattern                                                  |
|Fill in Blank Spaces                                                                |
|Improve Quality of New Development                                                  |
|Focus on Residential to Draw Retail                                                 |
|Minimize Surface Parking Lots ? None on Waterfront or Other Key Streets             |
|Create More Street Level Activity ? Limit Vacant or Night Time Only Building        |
|Storefronts                                                                         |
|                                                                                    |
|Increase Emphasis on Economic Development                                           |
|Incentives for Jobs Downtown                                                        |
|Business Improvement District                                                       |
|Strengthen the Economic Development(ED)Role of Wilmington Downtown, Inc. and City of|
|Wilmington ED Office                                                                |
|Standardize Hours for Retail Businesses                                             |
|Self-Financing Bonds                                                                |
|                                                                                    |
|Strengthen and Coordinate Marketing/Information Collection and Distribution         |
|Hire a Marketing Company                                                            |
|Coordinate Marketing Efforts                                                        |
|Increased Convention and Visitor's Bureau /Tourism Development Authority Efforts    |
|                                                                                    |
|Infrastructure Enhancements                                                         |
|Create a Street Hierarchy                                                           |
|2-Way Front Street                                                                  |
|Complete Grid Pattern in North Downtown                                             |
|Screen Parking                                                                      |
|Widen Sidewalks in Key Areas to Accommodate Outdoor Activities                      |
|                                                                                    |
|Modify Development Regulations                                                      |
|Height Regulated by Streets/Blocks with Height Bonuses                              |
|Strengthen CBD Supplemental Design Regulations                                      |
|Modify Residential Density Regulations                                              |
|                                                                                    |
|Increase the Frequency of Special Events                                            |
|More Frequency of Events                                                            |
|Varied Scale of Events                                                              |
|Non-Profits to Lead With City Technical Assistance                                  |
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