Wilmington : Homeowners Plan Strategy

Frustrated by the construction of high-density apartment complexes at a time when a building moratorium is being considered in Wilmington, a community homeowners’ group has vowed to fight permit applications for such developments.

The Wilmington Home Owners unanimously voted last week to retain legal counsel to bolster their battle against high-density apartment developments. The group maintains that the proliferation of such buildings--about 50 of which have been planned or constructed during the last year, according to group estimates--contributes to already pressing community problems of crime, school overcrowding, traffic congestion and litter accumulation.

“We plan to appeal these (building permit applications) and go into litigation if necessary,” said Peter Mendoza, president of the group. “We’ve turned to everyone we could about the problem, and we’re still left out in the cold, so we have turned to an attorney.”

A public meeting on the possibility of a moratorium has been set for Jan. 14. If such a measure is endorsed by Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, it could become effective as early as March, a Flores aide said.