We start this week with a closer look at The Preserve, a massive mixed-use development that’s been in the works since 2006, but has been held up by a 5-year court battle.
At issue, the NCDOT’s use of the “Map Act,” legislation that allowed the state to freeze development for years — or decades — without paying compensation. The state’s Supreme Court eventually ruled the Map Act as unconstitutional, but local courts are still figuring out how much NCDOT will have to pay the developers.
We also take a deep dive into the world of food trucks. We spoke with newcomers and veterans about what it takes to get started, survive, and expand. Plus, we take about some of the dangers of “winging it” and the recent legal struggles over Carolina Beach’s attempts to block food trucks.
You can read Part I and Part II in our Brews and Bites section.
Then it’s time to head to the beach. We discuss the $300,000 “beach push” in Surf City which, according to a contractor, had no scientific use, but was commissioned — essentially — to make beachfront residents feel better.
Finally, three issues we covered this week that readers had strong feelings about: paid parking, coyotes, and … pot-bellied pigs?
We get into it.
If you missed any of these stories, you can catch up below. Then take a deeper dive with our weekly podcast.
An overview of the long legal saga surrounding Hampstead’s potential “The Preserve” development
Sorting out beach renourishment miscommunication between FEMA, Surf City, and private contractor
With sightings on the rise, Kure Beach to host educational seminar on coexisting with coyotes
When your neighbors are literally pigs: Carolina Beach could ban pot-bellied pets
Heading to Wrightsville Beach? Time to break out the wallet, paid parking starts Friday
