Appeal that opposed subdivision development at The Cape denied

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Neighbors of The Cape made it clear they don’t want to see the old Masonboro Golf Club turn into townhomes.

The county’s Technical Review Committee approved preliminary plans for a new subdivision on several old golf holes at The Cape. Thursday night, neighbors packed the planning board in order to hear an unprecedented appeal of that approval.

“Under no circumstances will this homeowners association be passive and let this property be developed,” said attorney Gary Shipman who is representing the homeowners association.

The Masonboro Golf Course closed nearly six months ago following Florence damage. In that time, its fate was uncertain. Recently, the landowner submitted plans for a subdivision. The approval of those plans is being appealed.

“We have been very clear in our communications with the homeowner’s association that we do not plan to reopen,” said attorney Sam Franck representing the landowner Southern Destiny LLC.

Communications with the developer and the HOA have fallen flat according to neighbor Joyce Edwards, who you may remember hosted community meetings of the future of The Cape. She says she never wanted to see it come to this.

“The best thing is for us and Southern Destiny to sit down and truly communicate and compromise,” said Edwards.

The Association, through their attorney, argues they have Ownership of easements that could be impacted by the potential subdivision  and that the developer now has no access to the road because it no longer operates the course.

The developer says the land is not open space and they can do what they please with it.

“This is property that is owned by Southern Destiny that can be subdivided by right and it’s appropriate to identify it as that,” said Franck.

In the end, the planning board said the review committee made no error in approving the preliminary plans.They unanimously denied the appeal. The HOA has the option to now take the appeal to the county commission.