Out of order vote leads to developer withdrawing request for 300+ Porters Neck townhomes
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A developer is pressing pause on a major development in northern New Hanover County.
In Porters Neck near the Walmart on Market Street, Ronald Carlock and CIP Construction Company proposed a development comprising 348 townhomes on 33 acres.
The rezoning faced opposition from residents like Courtney Corriher and Kevin Foley of Marsh Oaks during a Monday New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting. Concerns voiced included issues of traffic, environmental impact, and potential overcrowding of schools.
“We fully support the development in our neighborhood, but we want it to be smart, sustainable development,” Corriher said.
Following presentations from both the developer and concerned citizens, the commissioners voted to deny the project. However, the vote was deemed out of order since the public hearing had not been officially closed. Subsequently, when the board returned to close the hearing, the developer chose to withdraw the proposal.
When asked if the commissioners’ vote influenced the decision to withdraw, a member of the development team, Craig Carlock, responded, “It was helpful guidance, yeah.”
Carlock expressed respect for the public process and disappointment with the outcome. He acknowledged the clear message from commissioners and stated their intention to reflect on the feedback, returning to the drawing board.
“New Hanover County remains a high priority for us. It’s a great place to work and live and play, we’d like to be part of it,” Carlock said.
Looking ahead, area residents remain cautiously optimistic, anticipating a potential refile and hoping for a better proposal.
“I’m sure they’ll be back to try to refile and build something else. Hopefully, it’s a better proposal, but I think we feel this is an overall win,” Foley said.
If the application had officially been denied by commissioners, the developers would have to wait a year to submit a similar proposal. Since the proposal was withdrawn, there is no time constraint.
