How the Process Works

The Short Version

A rezoning application goes through two stages: review and recommendation by the City Planning Commission, followed by a vote by City Council. Both stages are opportunities for community input. Here’s what that looks like in practice.

☑️Step 1: Application Filed [Revised Application Filed on May 29th, 2026]

The developer submits a rezoning petition to the city, pays the required fees, and the application is routed to the City Planning Commission. The city’s planning staff then prepares a report on the application, which is presented to commissioners before the public hearing.

The city is required to publish notice of the public hearing at least seven days in advance in a newspaper of general circulation. That is a short window. It is part of why many neighbors in this corridor only learned about the proposal through informal channels.

☑️Step 2: City Planning Commission Public Hearing (August 18th)

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday August 18th. Our community showed up, and after 3+ hours of public testimony and 40 speakers, the City Planning Commission voted to recommend denial to City Council, with a vote of 4-1.  

City Council will now need a three-quarters supermajority (10 of 13 members) to approve the rezoning.

Step 3: City Council Readings (likely Thursday September 3rd)

Now that the City Planning Commission has issueed its recommendation, the rezoning ordinance moves to City Council. Under Wilmington’s process, the ordinance must be read three times City Council meetings before a vote can be taken. City Council meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

The 1st and 2nd readings will likely take place during the same meeting.

What you can do: Email and call ALL council members prior to these meetings. Attend Council meetings during the reading period. Every contact matters.  See Contact City Council for how you can reach out.

Step 4: City Council Vote (likely Thursday September 17th)

City Council takes a final vote on the rezoning ordinance. Under normal circumstances, a simple majority of Council members is sufficient to approve or deny the rezoning.

Supermajority Needed!

City Council will now need a three-quarters supermajority (10 of 13 members) to approve the rezoning, based on the CPC's vote.

After a Vote: What Comes Next

If the rezoning is approved, the requested designation takes effect for those parcels. Any subsequent applications for variances, special exceptions, or deviations from standard zoning requirements would then go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

If the rezoning is denied, the parcels remain C-1. The developer would have to wait at least one year before filing a new rezoning petition for the same property.

Either way, the decisions made at the Planning Commission and City Council stages are the ones that matter most. That is where this fight will be won or lost.