During a meeting Tuesday night, city officials will consider changes that would affect property in Wilmington’s historic areas.

An ordinance amending the city’s Land Development Code to replace a minimum lot requirement with a minimum lot width of 33 feet is on the agenda for the Wilmington City Council, a measure recommended by the city's planning commission in a unanimous vote in July and the city staff.

The amendment would apply to the Historic District, Historic District-Mixed Use and Historic District Residential zoning designations, according to the proposed ordinance.

Those historic zones “currently allow a maximum density of 14.5 units per acre, which equates to a minimum required lot size of 3,004 square feet for newly created lots. Currently, there is no minimum required frontage for new lots in these districts, which could result in the creation of more flag lots as property owners continue to look for ways to better utilize lot areas in the historic districts,” says a letter to city officials from City Manager Sterling Cheatham regarding the amendment. “This amendment would prevent the creation of new flag lots while re-establishing regulations that promote congruity with the existing development pattern of the historic districts.”

Flag lots are properties that lie at the end of long driveways, literally flag-shaped.

“Basing lot sizes solely on allowable density is more appropriate for large-scale master planned project such as Mayfaire or Autumn Hall, both of which are zoned Mixed Use (MX), rather than areas of historic significance that require compatible and appropriately scaled infill,” according to the city staff’s conclusion that accompanies the proposed ordinance.

The document says the unintended impact of the current density requirement without a minimum lot width is to allow “densification to the rear of existing large lots that don’t necessarily have adequate access for residents or emergency vehicles.” 

The amendment would also allow duplexes, triplexes and quadraplexes consistent with existing development, Cheatham’s letter says.

The proposed amendment reduces minimum required lot sizes to 0 for single-family homes, 4,500 square feet for duplexes, 7,500 square feet for triplexes and 10,500 square feet for quadraplexes. The latter three “play an important role in diversifying housing options in historic districts by providing flexibility for property owners as their own housing needs change,” the proposed amendment document says. "Re-establishing dimensional requirements for duplex, triplex and quadraplex housing that is consistent with the historic development pattern will contribute to the city's ability to accommodate seniors who wish to age in place and may increase housing affordability in the city's historic districts."

The Wilmington City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 102 N. Third St.