BRUNSWICK COUNTY — A new subdivision received the necessary sign-off to move forward, adding more than 100 single-family homes to the southern end of Brunswick County.
READ MORE: 771 homes on the way to Brunswick County: 2 developments revived after earlier rejections
The project, Riverbank at Ocean Isle, was unanimously approved by the Brunswick Planning Board on Dec. 8. The vote grants applicant Lennar Carolinas a three-year vested right to develop 45 acres along U.S. Highway 17 near the Ocean Isle Beach Road intersection.
Under the approved plan, the development will include 115 single-family homes at a density of 2.5 dwelling units per acre. Proposed amenities include a swimming pool, playground and walking trails.
Planning staff noted the project meets or exceeds the county’s unified development ordinance standards in several areas including overall density and wetland preservation. The developer is dedicating 31.5 acres of open space, more than the required 9.04 acres, and committed to 2.3 acres of recreational amenities, surpassing the 1.36 acres required by ordinance.
Traffic safety on Highway 17 was the main focus of the public hearing. Residents aired grievances over the single access point connecting the community to the highway and the high volume of traffic on Highway 17, especially where it meets Ocean Isle Beach Road. North Carolina Department of Transportation counts indicate about 25,000 vehicles travel on Highway 17 past the site each day, with 9,300 on Ocean Isle Beach Road.
Resident Judy Andricak said the highway can be dangerous, especially considering the development’s lone access point, which she believes will force drivers to make dangerous U-turns.
“[Highways] 17, 904, Ocean Isle Beach Road, Main Street, Shallotte Hale Swamp Road and Georgetown Road all become bumper to bumper in the summer and there are a lot of tempers that flare,” Andricak stated. “People are speeding everywhere.”
Addressing traffic concerns, Nate Pound of Thompson Hutton Engineering said a traffic impact analysis was not technically required for a project of this size, but the development team is proceeding with an analysis. He anticipates NCDOT will require a new turn lane on Highway 17.
“We’ve gone ahead and started that process and we intend on installing a turn lane if DOT determines that one is required. I think it’s realistic that they will require it,” Pound said.
Issues regarding flooding were also voiced due to the site’s adjacency to the Shallotte River and the flood vulnerability of Ocean Isle Beach Road. Andricak detailed her personal account of flooding in the area.
“Ocean Isle Beach Road floods just before the swamp park — it goes up to four feet, there’s no way to get around,” Andricak said. “I think you should reconsider it because I don’t think it’s going to be safe for current residents and for future residents.”
Staff assured the board the project design specifically addresses flood risks. No residential lots will be located in the 13.4 acres of wetlands or the AE flood zone. Stormwater systems, including three detention ponds, are engineered to handle runoff from a 100-year storm event. The project also includes a 50-foot wide peripheral buffer along the boundaries, using existing vegetation to protect adjacent properties from stormwater discharge.
Board Chair Clifton Cheek praised the project design prior to the vote.
“This does look like a very challenging piece [of land] and just looking at the plans in the packet and seeing it largely blown up here, it looks like they’ve done a great job with designing it to fit with what they’ve got,” Cheek said.
Outside of Riverbank, Lennar Carolinas is responsible for other Ocean Isle Beach projects: The Retreat, 350 homes off of Beach Drive, Osprey Isle, 345 units on Highway 17 and Plantation Drive, and the Townhomes at Cameron Woods, 595 units on Jenrette Road. Including Riverbank, the projects represent more than 1,400 approved units in the Ocean Isle Beach area.
Have tips or suggestions for Charlie Fossen? Email charlie@localdailymedia.com
At Port City Daily, we aim to keep locals informed on top-of-mind news facing the tri-county region. To support our work and help us reach more people in 2026, please, consider helping one of two ways: Subscribe here or make a one-time contribution here.
We appreciate your ongoing support.
