River Road development plan approved

WILMINGTON -- New Hanover County commissioners have approved a modified development plan for River Road. But it could take up to 20 years to complete. County Commission Chairman Bill Caster says the development plan will affect approximately 500 acres in the River Road area. He says developers plan to build about 2,300 housing units on part of the land, as well as other recreational amenities like parks and bike trails. There has been little support from residents who say they'll be losing land because of the changes. Caster said, "This was a better deal." Caster says most of the resistance is because of the plans to move River Road. Developers will be reconstructing the two-way street within 225 feet of some homes in the area. Caster says the project will be beneficial to the environment, preserving three sand ridges and wetlands along River Road.