Board of Commissioners

TOWN OF CAROLINA SHORES Planning Board Meeting Minutes February 18, 2026 10:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., Chairperson Ron Johnson called the February 18, 2026, Planning Board Meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and there was a moment of silence. The following members attended: David Steele, Ruth Ann Campbell, Ashley McEntee and Diane Baker. Also present: Commissioner Debbie Watts, Board Liaison; Chad Hicks, Town Administrator; and Nicole Hewett, Assistant Town Administrator/Town Clerk. Absent: Alternate Member George Grant. Elect Chairperson: Member Campbell nominated Member Ashley McEntee. As there were no more nominations, the following motion was made: MEMBER CAMPBELL MADE A MOTION TO ELECT MEMBER ASHLEY MCENTEE AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE PLANNING BOARD. MEMBER BAKER SECONDED THE MOTION. CHAIRPERSON JOHNSON CALLED FOR A VOTE AND MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. Elect Vice-Chairperson: Member Campbell nominated Member David Steele. As there were no more nominations, the following motion was made: MEMBER CAMPBELL MADE A MOTION TO ELECT MEMBER DAVID STEELE AS VICE- CHAIRPERSON OF THE PLANNING BOARD. MEMBER BAKER SECONDED THE MOTION. CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE CALLED FOR A VOTE AND MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. Approval of Minutes: CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 21, 2026, PLANNING BOARD MEETING. MEMBER BAKER SECONDED THE MOTION. CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE CALLED FOR A VOTE AND MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. Administrative Reports: Mr. Hicks introduced Loretta Burkett. Mr. Hicks said Ms. Burkett has been approved by our Board of Commissioners to fill the vacancy of the ETJ Alternate on the Planning Board. Mr. Hicks said we are awaiting approval from the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners and then she can join the Planning Board. Mr. Hicks thanked Ms. Burkett. Mr. Hicks said we have received a grant but does not have much information on it yet. Mr. Hicks said we were awarded a grant by NCDOT to do a multi-use path starting from Carolina Shores Parkway where it hits Country Club Road up to the Food Lion. Mr. Hicks said it is a start and he expects it to be about $400,000 and it has a 75% grant. Mr. Hicks said we have 3 years to complete it. New Business: Consideration and Possible Action on Special Use Permit Review Text Amendment Change: Mr. Hicks said there is probably going to be a special use permit issue coming to the Planning Board soon and we have not had one since he has been here. Mr. Hicks said he has been working with the town attorney to make sure everything will go smoothly. Mr. Hicks said special use permits are governed by quasi-judicial rules and are not a legislative decision. Mr. Hicks said the only people that can speak to them are experts that have competent material, factual knowledge of what is being discussed. Mr. Hicks said our current code requires it to go to Planning Board first and explained the process. Mr. Hicks said the only Board that needs to hear special use permits are the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Hicks reviewed the proposed text amendment with the Planning Board. MEMBER CAMPBELL MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND THE REMOVAL OF THE PLANNING BOARD REVIEW PROCESS FOR SPECIAL USE PERMITS. MEMBER BAKER SECONDED THE MOTION. CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE CALLED FOR A VOTE AND MOTION WAS CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. Mr. Hicks discussed the Consistency Statement with the Planning Board and said that staff feels the proposed amendment is consistent with the CAMA Land Use Plan. CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSISTENCY STATEMENT AS PROVIDED IN THE PACKET. MEMBER STEELE SECONDED THE MOTION. CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE CALLED FOR A VOTE AND MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. Consideration and Possible Action on Neighborhood Business District Text Amendment Change: Mr. Hicks said a developer has asked about allowing retail grocery stores in the Neighborhood Business District. Mr. Hicks discussed the proposed text amendment with the Planning Board. Mr. Hicks discussed how the process would work. CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND THE TEXT AMENDMENT CHANGE. MEMBER BAKER SECONDED THE MOTION. CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE CALLED FOR A VOTE AND MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSISTENCY STATEMENT AS PROVIDED IN THE PACKET. MEMBER CAMPBELL SECONDED THE MOTION. CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE CALLED FOR A VOTE AND MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. Public Comment: None 2 Adjourn: MEMBER STEELE MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE FEBRUARY 18, 2026, PLANNING BOARD MEETING AT 10:43 A.M. MEMBER BAKER SECONDED THE MOTION. CHAIRPERSON MCENTEE CALLED FOR A VOTE AND MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. _____________________________ Chairperson Submitted by: Nicole L. Hewett, Town Clerk/Assistant Town Administrator 3