WILMINGTON — It’s been several years since the development known as Preservation Pont (formerly River Breeze) was first approved for 98 lots complete with just as many boat slips on the river. In 2017, a special-use permit was granted to developers for the project, but in August, it lapsed — now developers are once again seeking county approval for the project.
But property owners were not simply sitting on the project. As many people know, when it comes to developing in a conservation zone or dealing with the river, the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) comes into play.
While CAMA does provide protections for areas along waterways, meeting its requirements can be time-consuming and cumbersome. That is why the developer has to reapply for a special use permit for the boating facility.
“Since this approval, the applicant has conducted a hydrographic survey of the NE Cape Fear River at the request of the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (NCDCM) and New Hanover County Fire Services, reestablished and verified the location of the mean high and low water lines and the coastal wetlands, and has completed the required scoping meeting with the NCDCM to be eligible to apply for a CAMA Major Permit, which is required to construct the facility, according to documents provided by the county.
“Due to these requirements and the permitting process, the applicant was unable to obtain the necessary permits to begin construction within two years of approval, and therefore, the Special Use Permit for the community boating facility expired in August 2019.”
Earlier this year, the same developer requested a rezoning of some 30 acres off Castle Hayne Road with the hopes of ‘spurring’ development in the area. That request simply added onto the existing Preservation Point development allowing for both retail and residential in the area.
(Story continues below article)
The new request
Commissioners will hear from developers on Jan. 6 to decide on the issuance of another special use permit. So what exactly will this permit, if granted, allow?
“The proposed development consists of an approximately 10-foot-wide, 800-foot-long boat dock containing 98 boat slips. The dock is connected to a 7.45-acre island of uplands (San Souci Island). Access to the island will be provided by a 10-foot-wide boardwalk which spans approximately 1,400 feet east to the future Preservation Point subdivision. The boardwalk will allow pedestrian and golf cart access to the island and the proposed community boating facility,” according to the request.
Planning staff, as well as the Planning Board, have given positive feedback on the project and the board voted 7-0 in favor of approving the request.
