SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Port City Daily is counting down the top 10 stories that were read in 2024, as assessed by analytics.
READ MORE: No. 4 Most Read Story of 2024: Locals, tourists stranded as flooding overwhelms coastal regions
The third most read piece from 2024 revolved around a stop-work order issued in Brunswick County, with the developer also facing violations in New Hanover County.
Business partners Jack Carlisle and Steve Shuttleworth are developing land in the Pinecliff Drive neighborhood in Brunswick Counyt to facilitate expansion of the adjacent Grayson Park neighborhood. Pinecliff residents, including Rick Dixon, alleged in August that Carlisle carried out development activities without obtaining proper permits.
Residents reached out to numerous local and state authorities, including Brunswick County and the Town of Leland, about their concerns. In August, Brunswick spokesperson Meagan Kascsak confirmed the county received at least one complaint alleging illegal development activity in Grayson Park causing stormwater runoff in Pinecliff. Dixon attributed wetland filling at a property near his residence as a reason for increased flooding.
“The property owner began excavating and relocating dirt within a designated flood zone without obtaining the required permits,” Kascsak said. “County staff are actively assisting the owner in bringing the property into compliance.”
Carlisle has been developing land in Brunswick and New Hanover counties since at least 2013. He has purchased over $10 million in land in Wilmington and developed it for projects including Tarin Woods, Sunset Reach, along the Northeast Cape Fear River, the Echo West neighborhood of Echo Farms, and Watermark at River Road.
In August, New Hanover County spokesperson Alex Riley told Port City Daily three of Carlisle’s properties were in violation for building without proper permits.
Documents obtained by PCD show New Hanover County planning and engineering staff have issued several other violations against Carlisle in recent months. On Oct. 17, the county sent his firm Southern Destiny, LLC a Notice of Continuing Violation of Land Disturbing Activity at 535 The Cape Blvd.
The New Hanover County engineering department cited Carlisle for causing a drainage nuisance at 717 & 721 Cathay Road in October as well. Engineering specialist Beth Furr said Carlisle improperly installed an 18” storm drain pipe across the properties that needed removal.
Read the full piece below.
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