Planning is underway for a new commercial center along a southern stretch of Carolina Beach Road.

Initial project plans include two restaurants and a retail building along with a gas station and convenience store. The development is slated for just over 7 acres in the Seabreeze area, according to a community meeting notice issued this week.

Site plans show the convenience store, gas station and a drive-thru restaurant located closest to Carolina Beach Road with another restaurant and retail building located toward the back of the site. Before the project can move forward, the land, which stretches across eight separate tax parcels, will need to be rezoned. Developers want to rezone the site, which is currently zoned for low-density residential development, to a regional business district, the notice stated.

The Carolina Beach Road corridor has seen an uptick in commercial and residential development in recent years.

The project is planned for the 7600 block of Carolina Beach Road and will stretch between S. Seabreeze Road to N. Seabreeze Road. It’s being developed by SOCOL, LLC, the limited liability company that owns the parcels.

The company was established in 2020 for real estate investment, according a North Carolina Secretary of State filing. The company’s registered agent is Richard Yang and lists a Wilmington address.

“The property owner has been working diligently over the past five years, while acquiring multiple parcels in the assemblage, to improve the natural aesthetics of the lands, and to lay the groundwork for a successful future development,” the community notice stated.

A community meeting will be held on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Best Western Plus located at 5600 Carolina Beach Road. The purpose of the meeting is to explain the proposal and answer questions about the project and its impacts. Those unable to attend are invited to contact Cindee Wolf at 910-620-2374 or [email protected] with comments or questions.

Community meetings are typically held before a formal rezoning application is submitted to New Hanover County officials for review.