A development firm is seeking a rezoning to add units to an existing 280-unit apartment community in Wilmington.

CPGPI Still Meadow LLC, an entity of Chartwell Property Group, has submitted an application to the city of Wilmington for a zoning designation that would allow for an additional 56 rental units at Still Meadow Village, 4504 and 4632 Still Meadow Drive.

The proposal also calls for adding an amenity center.

"Rezoning this property to increase the density would be consistent with the concept of in-filling under-utilized land where existing urban services are available. Economic growth should be accommodated with a variety of housing types," according to CPGPI's application. "This project will serve to upgrade the land, benefit tax base and provide new homes without adverse effect to the community."

A site plan shows the project on South College Road would add a four-story building with 32 units and a three-story building with 24 apartments. The plan also includes a one-story, 3,000-square-foot amenity center.

Jack Dunn, managing partner at Chartwell Property Group, said the firm hopes to start the expansion project by the end of 2025 and complete it in 2026.

The complex was originally in New Hanover County's jurisdiction but was annexed into the city of Wilmington in the early 2000s, the application states. 

If the developer's request is granted, the property would be rezoned from a medium density-10 to a medium density-17 conditional district.

"If we have more density we can spread our cost out and that helps us maintain workforce housing rents while the costs of operating apartments go up at the same time," Dunn said.

RentCafe on Tuesday listed $1,247 a month as the rent for a one-bedroom apartment at Still Meadow Village. RentCafe also says the average rent in Wilmington is $1,625.

The Still Meadow Village application is on the pending section of the city's website; a date for consideration by the city's planning commission had not been posted as of Tuesday afternoon.