NEW HANOVER COUNTY — As the year comes to a close, there is no slowdown of housing developments being submitted in New Hanover County.
Moving forward in Carolina Beach are 22 townhomes despite standing up to council scrutiny last week. Several other county projects have submitted site plans and await approval by the technical review committee before getting the greenlight from local authorities. A 264-unit apartment complex proposed along Carolina Beach Road is of the ilk.
Single-family homes have not been forgotten; three proposals have also been submitted in recent weeks.
These developments range from redevelopment of deteriorating sites, infill development finding room in the heart of the Port City, and expansions into growing areas of the county.
Carolina Beach Townhomes
Adding more multi-family housing options to Pleasure Island, the Carolina Beach Town Council approved the rezoning request to accommodate 22 townhomes earlier last week.
Located at 205 and 211 Spartanburg Avenue, the developer needed conditional zoning approval in the R-1 residential district due to the proposed number of units; any amount over four units must meet certain conditions put in place by council.
The project will include 10 two-unit buildings and two single-family buildings, each with three or four bedrooms. The maximum height for the development is 50 feet. The development will require the demolition of one single-family structure on the property.
A pool, pool house, pickleball courts and a walking trail are also included on the 1.43-acre site. The building’s footprint, decks and steps will take up 31% of the lot, while almost 55% will be dedicated to open space.
However, the council and members of the public expressed concerns about flooding, setbacks and parking at the Dec. 13 meeting.
While single-family lots have to comply with 20-foot setbacks, this multi-family project only has to meet a 10-foot setback requirement. Some citizens worried the reduced setbacks would provide less space for sidewalks along Spartanburg and Greenville avenues, making it more dangerous for pedestrians.
While the developer plans to construct two sidewalks along Greenville and Spartanburg avenues to ensure safety, one council member was not convinced.
“You can’t convince me that the sidewalk on Spartanburg will be usable,” councilmember Mike Hoffer said at the meeting. “It will be blocked by cars and trucks all the time.”
Neighbors also expressed concern over water drainage, particularly retaining a ditch along S. Second Street. It was described as “vital” in stormwater management by town staff.
To appease the town, developer WB Development plans to keep the ditch open. Developers will refrain from using intrusive lighting at the pickleball court and pool house and install a new fire hydrant at Spartanburg and Second.
Council approved the development in a 4-1 vote with councilmember Mike Hoffer dissenting.
Willows at Wilmington
Coming to Carolina Beach Road: a 264-unit multi-family development located on 7.7 acres.
Spanning three different buildings, apartments with one to three bedrooms will be offered at 3903, 3907, 3913 Carolina Beach Road. The proposal is being put forth by Raleigh’s Timmons Group, the engineer behind many commercial, residential and university developments across the state. The developer is Charlotte-based Gateway Communities.
The apartment complex will be accessible via Carolina Beach Road and include more than 370 parking spaces to accommodate its residents. The buildings’ footprint will take up 21% of the lot, with 20% of the property allocated for open space. The site also has a pool in its design.
It will need to undergo a rezoning to accommodate the high-density housing. The current zoning is R-15, designated for single-family residences, but the applicant is requesting a change to MD-17, a multi-family district, to accomplish the developers’ goals.
According to the site’s tree save table, a majority of the land’s 1,225 trees will need to be demolished, including over 60 significant trees.
Makai Subdivision
Adding to recent developments proposed for Wrightsville Avenue, the Makai subdivision, if approved by the City of Wilmington, would bring 14 more single-family lots to the area.
The neighborhood would move in at 6261 Wrightsville Avenue in the area of other single-family homes. The subdivision would combine two parcels, owned by Donald and Kimberly Lefler, for a total of 3.32 acres situated between Wrightsville and Rogers avenues. Residents would be able to access the neighborhood from both roads.
The properties are zoned residential R-5; therefore, the housing units are permitted by-right. Buildings could stand 35 feet, according to the residential district’s standards. The site plan stipulates each lot will measure around 4,000 square feet. With the lot coverage, plus pavement and concrete, 51% of the site will become built-up area and 20,000 square feet will remain open space. One stormwater detention basin will also be built on site.
Local engineering firm GSP Consulting is conducting the project’s design.
Carlton Avenue
More single-family units could drop in along Burnt Mill Creek at 2101 Carlton Avenue, near Wallace Park in the Brookwood neighborhood area.
The 33,000 square feet of land is owned and under development with Magnificent Six LLC, located off River Road in Wilmington. The registered agent, Michelle Carlisle, is also behind other developments, including Leland’s Grayson Park.
Together with engineers Port City Consulting, Magnificent Six plans to build three more homes. They will be nestled between other single-family houses off Market Street. The land is located in Wilmington’s residential R-10 zoning district, which allows single-family detached homes by-right. The buildings are allowed to reach 35 feet high.
Due to its proximity to the creek, the property lies in a special flood hazard area. Drainage from the site will flow into the creek, eventually leading to classified South Carolina waters. Utilities will be provided through private wells and septic drain fields.
According to the site plan, morning and evening peak trips will only equate to one added vehicle on the road. Residents will access their homes from Carlton Avenue.
41st Tract
A little more than 1 acre of land at 4201 Maple Avenue is being proposed for four single-family homes.
Local firm Right Angle Engineering is designing the minor subdivision for owners, Stockhouse Holdings. The registered agent is Kyle Kelsay, agent for Wilmington-based Source Contracting as well.
The development proposes two three-bedroom homes and two two-bedrooms. The pairs would share a lot measuring around 15,000 square feet each. Each lot would be accessible via gravel driveways extending from 41st Street.
The land is zoned residential R-10 and is flanked by other residential lots; however, the area — almost at the intersection of Wrightsville and Kerr avenues — is located within a a few miles of several businesses and restaurants.
Tips or comments? Email info@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
