A rezoning for a business park proposed near Castle Hayne is moving forward following a vote of support Thursday from the New Hanover County Planning Board.

The park, which would include a retail building and four buildings of flex commercial and office space, is proposed on nearly 8 acres at 5000 N. College Road. The 3,600-square-foot retail building is planned closest to College Road, and the four other buildings would total 33,300 square feet, according to plans.

The land was last rezoned in 2022 to make way for a proposed 23-court Tidewater Pickleball Park facility, which included plans for a restaurant, pro shop and locker rooms. Since then, the pickleball facility plans have been discontinued.

Kevin and Pauline Dunne, owners of Wilmington-based Ocean Blue Pools and Spas, are developing the new project. In June, Pauline Dunne told the Business Journal that the couple was under contract to purchase the land from Tidewater Investment Company LLC, the current owner. She said they plan to use the business park for their own company and rent space to other businesses.

Amy Doss, a development review planner with New Hanover County, told the planning board that county staff recommended approval of the rezoning because the project fits into the community mixed-use and general residential place types identified for the area in the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

If rezoned, the proposed use is expected to generate more traffic than it would under the current zoning. According to Doss, the new use could result in 51 vehicle trips during peak morning hours and 52 trips during peak afternoon hours.

Cindee Wolf with Design Solutions represented the applicants before the planning board. She said the newly proposed project would take up a similar footprint as the previous pickleball proposal.

She told the planning board that she sees a need for more flex space in Castle Hayne as new water and sewer infrastructure is installed and the area continues to grow.

“I think with all of the improvements the county is participating in with CFPUA to bring more public service up to the northern part of the county,” she said, “it’s going to translate into more homes, and so it works hand in hand with the types of commercial services we’re proposing.”

The planning board unanimously recommended approval of the project. The rezoning will next be considered by New Hanover County’s Board of Commissioners for final approval.