Pender County Planning Board denies expansion of local apartment complex

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — The Pender County Planning Board has voted unanimously to reject a developer’s request to expand a local apartment complex.

The proposal, submitted by Hawthorne Residential Partners, sought to add 84 new units to the existing Hawthorne at Hampstead complex.

The developers first presented their plan in 2022 and have faced increasing opposition from local residents, who raised concerns about traffic congestion and overcrowded schools in the area.

Several residents attended the Planning Board meeting, where they voiced their frustrations and highlighted the strain that additional development could place on local infrastructure.

In addition to these concerns, residents spoke out about the developer’s storm water management practices, arguing that previous phases of construction had caused flooding and other issues in the area.

After hearing from the community, the Planning Board ultimately voted to deny the proposed expansion, citing the project’s failure to align with the county’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan.