Residents concerned over mixed-use development in Porters Neck

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A judge has ordered the New Hanover County Commission to issue a special use land permit for the 100 block of Porters Neck Road.

The commission originally denied the permit in June of last year. A judge overturned that ruling this February.

The development will include 273 residential units, 4 residential garages, a clubhouse and amenities, and 40,000 square feet of non-residential space. The non-residential space could include things like restaurants and shops.

However, road work on Market Street in the area has been creating traffic problems, and some residents fear that this new project will only create a more permanent problem.

“Well we have traffic problems now. Clearly, even without the construction we have traffic problems,” said Elizabeth Bauereis, a resident of Porters Neck.

Some feel that the business growth will outweigh the negative impacts of traffic.

“Oh I think it’ll bring a boom for the economy and for the local people to have more resources to have for where they can go to eat and shop. I think it’s always a great thing,” said Patty Streen, who lives in the area.

Commissioner Woody White, who was opposed to the project when it was first proposed, said that the commission will support the judges decision in this matter. At the time of the initial proposal, White said there was not enough evidence that the commercial aspect would be developed properly and he was not confident it would meet required conditions and specifications.

Monday White said, “Developers submit clear intentions on how they intend to develop the commercial aspect and this case demonstrates a need to modify out county ordinance going forward.”