WILMINGTON — Storage units are the next planned development to make use of a vacated Hendrick Honda dealership off South College Road. Proposed for its overflow lot, the self-storage building would neighbor a pitched mixed-use complex on the main property across the street.
The Wilmington Planning Commission will review the request to rezone the 1 acre from regional business conditional district to commercial services Wednesday. If given the thumbs up at a later date by city council, the new zoning would allow for the four-story mini-warehousing development. City staff is recommending approval.
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The proposal calls for an approximately 77,510-square-foot building, reaching just over 44 feet in height.
When the dealership was relocated to Market Street in 2020, the site was left vacant and has remained an unused parking lot in the university area’s commercial dead zone.
Co-developers Bella Vista Development Group LLC and Craig Davis Properties, Inc. are requesting the rezoning on behalf of property owner Susan Booth Stevenson. The same developers are seeking the rezoning for the planned apartments across the street.
The 6 acres is going through the rezoning process for a nearly 300-residence, mixed-use complex to be known as “Paseo.” The planning board recommended approval of the development 4-0 in a September meeting; city council has yet to review the plans.
The main Hendrick site was last sold in 1994 for $1.8 million, according to property records. Stevenson purchased the overflow property in 2006 for $390,000. The land is next door to a new Fins Car Wash.
The applicants have touted that the redevelopment will spark similar revitalization in the surrounding area, which includes the dead K-Mart parking lot and empty Dick’s Sporting Goods across the street.
“The proposed use will serve self-storage needs of not only existing residents in the area but also those who will reside at Paseo and the development likely to be constructed at the former K-Mart site in the future,” the applicants wrote in their submission to the city.
The planning commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers within City Hall, located at 102 North 3rd St. The meeting will be streamed online on the city’s website.
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