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.
Rezoning Rejected
Deer behind Gaskins Lane
I took this blurry photo last month... these deer visited several days in a row around twilight.
"Superstreet"?
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
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?
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
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
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."
