City Council President Hanifa Shabazz tabled a vote on a resolution to approve the Wilmington 2028 comprehensive plan following a contentious public hearing last week.
The draft comprehensive plan sets up broad goals — for “strong safe neighborhoods,” healthy communities, a robust economy, connectivity and resiliency.
Council members raised concerns about what they interpreted as changes between the current and future land use maps in the draft comprehensive plan.
“If you start noticing around the waterways, you’ll see all kinds of color changes, because there are people who have plans, and part of those plans are getting certain folks out of certain residential areas,” said Councilman Sam Guy.
City planning director Herb Inden says any zoning changes would still need to be approved by Council within a year and a half of adoption of the plan.
“It’s to be a guide to inform people,” he said. “Again, the changes aren’t that dramatic per se, because we’re a developed city as it is.”
Several citizens spoke against it Thursday. Fourth District resident Don Farrell thinks the plan falls short. “Are we going to ever discuss housing-related lead exposure?” he said. “Are we going to go into 2028 with another comprehensive plan without addressing this issue?”
City Council President Hanifa Shabazz notes council members have had opportunities to learn about the plan during the two-year planning process. She hopes they will now get any questions answered by planning officials and be ready to vote on the plan “as soon as possible.”
The plan must also be approved by the state.
