Neighbors voice concerns about proposed Southport hotel

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — The Southport Planning Board has approved plans for a hotel in Southport, to the dismay of some community members.

The River Hotel of Southport is proposed to be a three-story hotel with 70 rooms and parking. The hotel is planned to be built at 704 East Moore Street on the water.

Wayne Strickland, Southport building inspector, said the developers, Smithville Partners LLC, are allowed to build there because the property is designated in the business district. He said the plans meet all of the city’s standards to build in a business district.

Gene Tomlinson, who lives near the property, said he is concerned the new hotel could bring traffic, noise and pollution to the area.

“It’s always been such a quiet part of town. You always knew who was coming and who was going,” said Tomlinson.

Tomlinson said he is all for Southport being a welcoming place for visitors, but he would have liked the chance to give some input before the plan was approved.

“We would have liked a little forewarning, so there could have been input from people who live here, about what the impact would mean to our personal lives, to our families, to our style of living here,” said Tomlinson.

Mayor Jerry Dove said he understands people’s concerns but it’s unknown how the hotel will affect the area.

“Their cares are my concern,” said Dove. “I understand where they’re coming from but that’s kind of projecting ourselves way into the future.”

Strickland said the land was once used in the 1900’s for Bald Head Island parking and hasn’t been used since.