In situations involving special use or conditional use permits, interested parties are prohibited to communicate with county commissioners prior to the official public hearing. These land use procedures are considered “quasi-judicial.” As such it is improper for interested parties to discuss applications without being sworn at the hearing. Prior to the hearing, should anyone wish to provide a petition, letters, e-mail or other documentation for the county commissioner’s review, such items must be sent only to the Planning Department. The Planning Director will then copy and/or forward the information to the county commissioners for consideration at the hearing.
The Planning Director can be contacted at: New Hanover County Planning Department, 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 150, Wilmington, NC 28403; (910) 798-7165 – Phone; (910) 798-7053 – Fax