One of the last vacant lots near the Carolina Beach boardwalk is back in front of the town’s planning board. On Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 6 p.m., the Carolina Beach Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a conditional zoning request for a 16-unit mixed-use condominium building at 308 Carolina Beach Avenue North, in the town’s Central Business District. The same agenda includes a floating dock request at 313 Canal Drive.
Neither item is a final decision. The commission makes a recommendation, and Town Council has the last word on conditional zoning. Still, this hearing is the first public look at the condo plan’s details, and it says a lot about where downtown Carolina Beach is headed.
What Is Proposed at 308 Carolina Beach Avenue North
According to the Nov. 12, 2026 Planning and Zoning agenda and the staff report in the meeting packet, applicant KMB Investments, LLC is asking for conditional zoning for a four-story, 16-unit condo building with parking below. The application lists 1,260 square feet of commercial space on the first livable floor, and the staff report describes that space as a gym. The requested height is 59 feet to the top of the parapet wall.
Key details from the staff report:
- The site: a 12,721-square-foot vacant lot. Part of it once held the Mermaid Manor, a small inn demolished in 2022.
- A prior approval: a mixed-use building with ground-floor retail and 17 residential units was approved for the site in 2023. That plan was 50 feet tall and used a parking lot across the street.
- Height: the Central Business District has a 50-foot limit, but sprinklered buildings can exceed it with conditional zoning approval. That is why this request needs a hearing.
- Parking: the applicant is providing the 20 required spaces plus two bike racks. Because public parking sits within 500 feet, 11 spaces tied to the gym are waived under CBD rules.
- Flood zone: the property is in VE16 and AE11 flood zones, and the building and pool must be designed to VE16 standards, with V Zone certification required before a building permit. A CAMA Minor Permit is also required.
Proposed conditions include downward-angled lighting to protect drivers, pedestrians and sea turtles, two street trees, a repaved sidewalk in front of the property, and sign permits for any signage. The applicant held the required community meeting on July 14, 2026. The item was on the commission’s October agenda, but the draft October minutes in the packet note it was removed before the hearing.
The Floating Dock Request at 313 Canal Drive
The second hearing involves a restaurant property at 313 Canal Drive owned by Noelle Holdings LLC. Town Council approved a text amendment in August that lets floating structures extend beyond the pierhead line, up to six feet wide, with conditional zoning approval. This request would use that new rule. The staff report notes the 16,500-square-foot lot has had a restaurant and docking facility since the building was constructed in 1971, and a CAMA permit will be required.
Why It Matters for Carolina Beach Owners and Buyers
Downtown is filling in
Vacant lots near the boardwalk are scarce. Each new project shapes the views, parking demand and street life of the north end. Combined with projects such as the town’s boardwalk land purchase, the CBD is steadily changing.
New condo inventory, eventually
If approved and built, 16 new condos would add walkable, newer-construction options in a part of town where much of the stock is older. Buyers comparing new and resale condos should look closely at HOA budgets, insurance and flood requirements. Our condo and HOA insurance guide is a good starting point.
Flood standards shape cost and design
VE zones carry stricter construction rules because of wave action. For any oceanside or near-ocean purchase in Carolina Beach, check the flood zone, elevation and insurance quote early. See our flood zones guide for the basics.
Neighbors have a voice
Height above 50 feet is exactly the kind of question conditional zoning is designed to test. If you own nearby, the Nov. 12 hearing and the later council hearing are your chances to weigh in.
FAQ: 308 Carolina Beach Avenue North
When and where is the hearing?
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 1121 N. Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach.
Is the project approved?
No. The Planning and Zoning Commission will recommend approval or denial, and Town Council makes the final decision on conditional zoning.
How tall would the building be?
The request is 59 feet to the top of the parapet wall, above the CBD’s standard 50-foot limit, which sprinklered buildings may exceed only through conditional zoning.
Does it include parking?
Yes. The plan shows the 20 required spaces under the building, with 11 gym-related spaces waived because public parking is within 500 feet.
Thinking About Pleasure Island?
Whether you want a walk-to-the-boardwalk condo or a quieter street farther from downtown, it helps to know what is coming before you buy or sell. Reach out to Aspyre Collective and we will walk you through the options, the flood details and the projects that could shape your block.
