Following months of public discussion and input, New Hanover County leaders voiced support Monday for conservation and a potential land buy on the Cape Fear River’s western bank.

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Monday to table proposed changes to development guidelines for the western bank outlined in the county’s Comprehensive Plan. Instead, the board opted to direct staff to explore a conservation place type and to look for federal, state and other funds to clean up and preserve the area’s existing natural areas.

The process of redefining the county’s vision for the largely undeveloped riverbank began more than two years ago when developers submitted plans for two large-scale projects in the area. Both projects faced pushback from residents and environmental advocates, prompting New Hanover leaders to revisit the county’s vision for the western bank.

Since then, county staff have completed a study of the western bank and hosted a handful of work sessions with county leaders. In recent months, staff members finalized and released a draft of new development guidelines. The last Comprehensive Plan update in 2016 aimed to draw denser development onto the western bank by applying new commercial zoning to Eagles Island and establishing the Riverfront Mixed-Use zoning district.

The newly proposed amendments recommend establishing a zoning called the Low-Intensity Riverfront District, which emphasizes public purposes, uses that contribute to a viewshed that complements downtown Wilmington, activates space and results in less traffic, impervious surfaces and residents than what exists in downtown Wilmington, among other goals.

The amendment also pushes for development types that are “less susceptible to flooding impacts and that provide a public benefit, such as recreational and civic uses,” removes mixed-use and residential uses and offers an array of considerations for any future development.

Following a presentation on the amendment from New Hanover County Planning Director Rebekah Roth, Commissioner Dane Scalise asked whether staff have explored the possibility of a “voluntary purchase” of the property by the state or federal government for conservation.

“Before we move down the road of adjusting this text amendment,” he said, “that is a very important step that in my estimation we ought to take.”

Several commissioners voiced concern about the impact ongoing flooding could have on any future development or infrastructure installed on the western bank. The proposed amendment received just shy of 3,000 public comments, Roth told the board on Monday. The vast majority opposed development on the western bank, she said.

“We know we didn’t respond to your emails, but we heard you,” Board Vice Chair LeAnn Pierce told those gathered at the meeting. “We heard you loud and clear what you want and don’t want to see over there.”

Several members of the public addressed the board on Monday, including those who have consistently raised concerns about the development of the western bank. They include University of North Carolina Wilmington lecturer Roger Shew, retired emergency room doctor Robert Parr and Brayton Willis, a former engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Matt Collogan, the vice chair of the New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District’s board of supervisors, said he believes new development guidelines are needed.

“We’re not against all development, and we value the property rights of landowners,” he said. “However, development, when it’s inappropriate and irresponsible and threatens existing people and property, alternative development scenarios are necessary.”

The board also heard from Isabelle Shepherd, interim director of the Historic Wilmington Foundation. Shepherd pushed for conservation in the area and said she spoke on behalf of several groups, including the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, Bellamy Mansion Museum, Cape Fear Riverwatch, Cape Fear Sierra Club and Eagles Island Central Park Task Force, among others.

“Since place types guide future rezoning decisions, our groups believe including all western bank parcels into the conservation place type best preserves the historical integrity, cultural significance and natural environment of the area,” she said, “compared to creating a low-intensity, riverfront place type as proposed.”

Ultimately, the board leaned into calls for conservation as Commissioner Rob Zapple motioned to table considerations of the Comprehensive Plan amendments, asking staff to “create a new conservation place type specifically for this riverfront area, articulating our vision that this area be conserved in its current state.” 

“Also, I would like to direct our staff to increase their efforts in searching out state, federal and nonprofit funding and grants,” he said, “to assist with the brownfields mitigation, environmental clean-up and restoration and preservation of wetlands and estuaries in the western bank area.”

As part of the motion, he added that the county wouldn’t agree to extend water and sewer utilities into Brunswick County. The board unanimously approved Zapple’s motion.

“No stone unturned, let’s get it done,” Scalise added.