NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The developer behind the 1,800-home Hilton Bluffs development has had its second pathway to development blocked Thursday.
As first reported by WHQR, the New Hanover County Technical Review Committee has revoked the conditional approval it issued in March for Hilton Bluffs because of the changes to the site plan. The development plans were originally submitted with three access points — one off Sledge Road, and two connections into the nearby Wooden Shoe and Marathon Colony neighborhoods.
READ MORE: County manager intervenes again on Hilton Bluffs progression, TRC to reconsider site plans
ALSO: Hilton Bluffs hearing delayed again, Copper Builders alludes to mystery path for approval
Based on this site plan, two appeals were filed by residents; one of them was resolved right before the board of adjustment was set for a hearing in July. Copper Builders agreed to remove the two neighborhood connections as a result.
“The TRC has determined that removal of the Tall Oaks Drive and Dekker Road access points constitutes a substantial departure from the conditionally approved plans,” indicates the TRC letter, delivered to Copper Builders on Oct. 8.
The letter notes Copper Builders will need to submit a new application should it wish to develop the same parcel in Castle Hayne’s Sledge Forest.
The decision follows the TRC’s re-review of the site plans on Wednesday after County Manager Chris Coudriet remanded the plans back to the committee on Sept. 24.
“The TRC must determine whether the original conditional approval remains valid as it relates to the access roads in the site plan,” Coudriet wrote in his decision letter. “This review should begin as soon as practicable and the applicant should be notified that the TRC is undertaking this review.”
The manager’s letter intervened in an appeal filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center against the approved plans. The SELC’s complaint was scheduled to be heard on Sept. 22; however, because Copper Builders’ deal to take two site plans off the table, representatives from the SELC and Copper Builders spent the meeting arguing over whether the hearing should move forward at all. The board of adjustment decided to delay the hearing until November.
Then the county manager stepped in, as he had in the case of Hilton Bluffs’ other submitted plan. While the appeals on its three-access plan were in process, Copper Builders entered a schematic with only one access point on Sledge Road. Before this could be approved or denied by the TRC, the county manager rejected the site plans himself. Coudriet cited public safety concerns associated with a singular roadway in and out of the 1,800-home development, which is surrounded by wetlands and located near the Cape Fear River.
Thus, if Copper Builders wants to move the current iteration of Hilton Bluffs forward, it appears the site plan will need at least two access points. However, Copper Builders has said it has exhausted all other connection options.
The land tract is largely bordered by either the Northeast Cape Fear River or wetlands, which would require federal permits to build upon. The remaining land is private property and Copper Builders says their attempts to gain easements have failed.
Port City Daily reached out to Wade Miller, CEO of Copper Builders, on Friday for comment on the revoked conditional approval; he did not respond by press.
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.
