Plantation Landing

Lowe's Coming to Area?

2007-08-31T08:34:00.000-04:00

From the Star-News:

By Gareth McGrath, July 11:

"The New Hanover County commissioners want to see if there's a way to provide a second signalized entrance for a Lowe's Home Improvement store proposed for Porters Neck.

Concerns over access to the store, part of a larger shopping center at Market Street and the U.S. 17 Wilmington Bypass, prompted the board to delay a decision on the project for 60 days.

Dozens of Porters Neck residents turned out for Monday's meeting to express concerns about safety and traffic with the new store.

Under current plans, the only entrance to the center with a light would be on Porters Neck Road."

Aug. 21 Letterto the Editor:
"EDITOR: In the movie Field of Dreams, the mantra was, "If you build it, they will come."

However, if we are talking about the proposed Lowe's at the Market Street and Porters Neck intersection, you may build it, but the traffic may be so tied up you can't get there.

The proposed zoning change from neighborhood commercial to regional commercial will result in a substantial increase in traffic at an already congested intersection.

It is logical and responsible planning to have infrastructure (adequate roads, sewer, stormwater, etc.) in place before you build a big box and a future shopping center.

There is only one entrance and exit planned for the proposed Lowe's site.

Porters Neck area is desperate for a road parallel to Market Street to allow a more orderly flow of traffic to the Lowe's site. Without a parallel road with additional lights on Market Street, (the developer) will be building the development and hope the infrastructure gets built someday.

It will be subjecting the citizens of New Hanover County to another Military Cutoff debacle with the development going in place long before adequate infrastructure is in place.

… Concerned citizens should contact New Hanover County Commissioners and the Planning Board before Sept. 4.

Elizabeth I. Bauereis"

Plantation Landing Homes for Sale

2007-07-31T22:38:00.000-04:00

I've set up a link on my website, so you can go in and see which homes in Plantation Landing are for sale and what they're asking. Enjoy!

More Medical Park

2007-01-09T10:43:00.000-05:00

From the Star-News:

"A controversial proposal to build a new hospital and medical park along U.S. 17 near the Pender County line will be back before the New Hanover County Commissioners Monday evening.

SENCA Properties, a corporation formed by a group of nearly 100 local doctors, wants to rezone roughly 50 acres of a 250-acre tract for a New Hanover Regional Medical Center hospital and an office/retail complex.

But the proposal has generated opposition from residents, worried that the project's traffic would overwhelm local streets and stormwater runoff would degrade nearby waterways, some of which are already under conservation easements. "

Scotts Hill Medical Complex

2006-10-30T15:56:00.000-05:00

from the Star-News (sub) :

""There's no other place like it in this area, where you can sit in your back yard and enjoy nature without being disturbed by noise and lights from surrounding areas," Wierse said.

But Wierse, a resident of the coastal community for 11 years, fears her family's star-gazing days are numbered because a local development group is seeking permission from the New Hanover County Planning Department to build a 45-acre medical park off Scotts Hill Loop Road.

SENCA Properties, a limited liability corporation of about 100 physicians, plans to build a 19-acre medical office park with doctors' offices, restaurants and retail stores.

The group also plans to sell the remaining 26 acres to New Hanover Regional Medical Center so it can build a satellite hospital."

Click here for the whole article

Also, reader Roger suggests this site for more info: www.scottshill.net
and check out this blog as well: http://blog.scottshill.net/

Click over to RealEXiT

2006-10-28T08:12:00.000-04:00

....for more on the recent finds where developers want to build two houses.

Watts on the Market

2006-10-20T11:35:00.000-04:00

Here's a link to see what's currently for sale in Plantation Landing.

Paraglider in the 'hood

2005-11-29T18:50:00.000-05:00

paragliderweb, originally uploaded by Watts Carr.

Maybe y'all have seen this strange sight....a paraglider that seems to hover over the trees just to the east of Plantation Landing. Yes, the intracoastal waterway really is that close to us, as the crow flies.

Bypass Bridge

2005-11-14T15:49:00.000-05:00

carshadowweb, originally uploaded by Watts Carr.

The Porter's Neck area has a new bridge on Hwy 17 for the future I-140 Bypass. I took the bottom photo a while back when it was under construction.

We Want You (to volunteer)

2005-10-25T08:28:00.000-04:00

All of the homeowner’s committees are looking for new volunteers. Some current members have moved, others are moving soon, and there is a real need for more volunteers.

We are getting closer to taking over the homeowner’s association from the developer, and your input is vital to making the neighborhood the best place it can be. Please contact a member of the committee (e-mail me for contact numbers) or just show up at the monthly meeting to join in the fun.

Rezoning Rejected

2005-10-06T09:04:00.000-04:00

Star News article: "The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners on Monday unanimously rejected two rezoning requests that would have allowed a massive medical and retail complex just north of Porters Neck.

The project has been mired in controversy for months, with nearby residents concerned about traffic, building size and lighting, and environmentalists worried about the impact on Foy and Futch creeks.

Commissioners expressed some of the same concerns but seemed more worried about whether plans for a public hospital on the site would ever come to fruition."

I still think this will happen, but the SENCA group will need to get the full backing of the hospital first.

Deer behind Gaskins Lane

2005-09-23T12:44:00.000-04:00

Deer behind Gaskins, originally uploaded by Watts Carr.

I took this blurry photo last month... these deer visited several days in a row around twilight.

"Superstreet"?

2005-08-17T14:59:00.000-04:00

StarNewsOnline.com: The Voice of Southeastern North Carolina:
"The N.C. Department of Transportation wants to redesign the interchange of the U.S. 17 Wilmington bypass and Market Street, shown under construction with Porters Neck at the top of the photo and Wilmington beyond, out of view.
photo by Matt Born

IN A NUTSHELL
THE ISSUE: Redesign of the eastern leg of the U.S. 17 Wilmington Bypass.
WHAT’S NEW: DOT wants to “superstreet” the section between Porters Neck Road and Scotts Hill, limiting left-turn traffic and removing traffic signals.
WHAT’S NEXT: A decision on any changes should come this fall. The bypass is scheduled to open in summer 2006."

Vineyard Plantation

2005-08-08T11:25:00.000-04:00

Here's a link to the new neighborhoods bordering us. The list has prices and floorplans too, so check it out if you're interested...

Development Concerns?

2005-08-08T11:08:00.000-04:00

REGULAR MEETINGS SCHEDULE: New Hanover County Commissioner

Lots of re-zoning happening in our area. (Notice the "Z" signs everywhere?) If you want to get involved, follow the link for the New Hanover County Board's meeting schedule. Lots of other links about development on that site as well.

Medical Complex Plans

2005-08-03T12:11:00.000-04:00

StarNewsOnline.com: The Voice of Southeastern North Carolina:

"Plans for a massive retail and medical complex just north of Porters Neck have been on hold for months, but developers will try again on Thursday to get their proposal past the New Hanover County Planning Board.

Part of the revised plan for Scotts Hill Village, however, is already facing opposition from the county’s planning staff.

SENCA Properties, a limited liability corporation formed by a group of local doctors and New Hanover Regional Medical Center, wants to build a medical center and retail/office complex on 47 acres of a 150-acre site just south of the Pender County line.

The group originally came to the Planning Board in March requesting zoning changes for about 70 acres, but the board and nearby residents said they wanted their questions answered before the project got the green light."

Rezoning on Market Street

2005-08-02T07:56:00.000-04:00

StarNewsOnline.com: The Voice of Southeastern North Carolina:

"Facing a crowd of people equally divided on the issue, commissioners were split 3-2 in their decision. Residents in favor of rezoning want the convenience of more services in their neighborhood. Those against rezoning fear the project will hurt the pristine waters of Futch Creek and create more traffic problems
Vice Chairman Bill Caster said both sides made good points, but he could see the benefits of allowing commercial development on the property. He said he also agreed with property owners who argued that residential development isn’t feasible.

Other commissioners voting for the rezoning were Bill Kopp and Bobby Greer. Commissioners Ted Davis and Nancy Pritchett voted against it.

The commissioners’ decision went against the recommendation of the county’s planning staff but was in concert with the Planning Board’s direction, which suggested rezoning only part of the 26 acres located between the 8600 and 8700 blocks of Market Street.

Before the vote, Planning Director Dexter Hayes explained that most property in the area is residential, but a handful of recent changes allowed some business development.

His concern was about setting a precedent, making it difficult for the commissioners to deny future requests for rezoning along that same stretch of Market Street."

Documents Online

2005-08-01T11:30:00.000-04:00

I've added some background info documents from my Plantation Landing files, in Adobe Acrobat format for easy printing. Enjoy!

Plantation Landing pdf files:

From the side

2005-07-20T22:03:00.000-04:00

panoplclub2edit, originally uploaded by Watts Carr.

I've made a habit of editing and distorting in a panorama mode.

Pool Side

2005-07-19T11:25:00.000-04:00

17 Bypass from Sidbury Rd.

2005-07-02T00:09:00.000-04:00

17bypassfromsidbury400, originally uploaded by Watts Carr.

The bypass is coming along... I've seen lots of recent paving including the new Futch Creek Service Road, the new overpass across Hwy 17 from us, and all the way over by NorthChase and out to Castle Hayne. This photo is from the Sidbury Road bridge over I-40 looking south at the bridge for the new bypass.

Futch Creek Service Road

2005-06-21T08:36:00.000-04:00

Futch Creek Service Road, originally uploaded by Watts Carr.

The new road has been paved...still no word from the DOT if they will have a stoplight out there for us. Click the image to see a detailed view....zoom, pan, etc. Have fun....more goodies in the Multimedia section there at WattsCarr.com

Traffic Forum Panel & Audience

2005-06-10T01:15:00.000-04:00

Traffic Forum, originally uploaded by Watts Carr.

Traffic Forum Notes

2005-06-10T00:58:00.000-04:00

StarNewsOnline.com: The Voice of Southeastern North Carolina

"Officials, who were often jeered during the two-hour meeting, were sometimes stuck explaining planning or transportation policies and rules that residents were in no mood to hear.

Case in point was the Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed for Ogden near Middle Sound Loop Road. Although the land is already zoned heavy commercial, several speakers said it was obvious that Market Street can’t handle another big-box retailer.

“The road is gridlocked most of the day now,” said Ogden resident Michael O’Hearn. “Imagine what would happen if that went in?”

An informal survey, consisting of people raising their hands, showed near unanimity in the audience against the project.

my estimate 148-2

But officials indicated there might be little they could do to stop the nation’s largest retailer from building a new 260,000-square-foot store just four miles from its store at Market Street and South College Road.

The property is already zoned for a Wal-Mart, but there are wetlands issues that may change or cancel the project. Wal-Mart does not own the property yet, they will not buy the property until they are sure they can build on it.

Mayfaire and Military Cutoff was another hot-button issue Wednesday, with several speakers wondering how the project could have been allowed before Military Cutoff was widened."

Other notes of interest for Plantation Landing:
The Futch Creek intersection with the new Hwy 17 is currently slated to have a stop SIGN. (I'll link to a map rendering when I get a chance). I'm expecting to hear back with more details on this.
A new shopping center is proposed for the area on our side of 17, where the road construction is on the right as you head to Hwy 17 on Futch Creek. The proposal passed the planning committee as no one was there to oppose it. The sign announcing the meeting was posted behind the construction area and this was mentioned by a member of the audience. The proposal will be taken up at the next County Commissioner's meeting (see New Hanover County website for info). I'll post a picture later and link to more info.

Summer now Kicked-Off!

2005-06-07T23:20:00.000-04:00

Pool and Clubhouse, originally uploaded by Watts Carr.

Despite somewhat inclement weather, the party was a blast. The weather improved throughout the event and by the end the sun was out and the pool was in full use. Anybody get some good pictures? Thanks for coming!

Traffic Forum June 8th

2005-06-07T10:13:00.000-04:00

There will be a Community Forum, which is to be held on Wednesday, June 8th from 5:30-7:30pm. This meeting will be held in the Assembly Room of the NE New Hanover Library on Military Cutoff Road. The public meeting will be structured as a panel discussion regarding traffic and traffic related issues in the Ogden/Porter's Neck areas. Representatives from the NCDOT, local law enforcement, and county government will be present at this meeting to serve as panelists. In addition to presenting information regarding the current and future traffic situation by the panelists, a facilitator will be on hand to forward questions from the public for discussion.

Mark your calendars for June 8th today!