Rocky Point residents hope to hear a response from the County, after many complaints about a nearby dirt bike track

ROCKY POINT, NC (WWAY)– A zoning dispute in Rocky Point is continuing to draw concern from residents who say a nearby short-term rental and dirt bike park is disrupting their quality of life.

Neighbors of Salty Acres Adventure Park, located on Carl Meeks Road, argue the property is operating as a commercial business in a residential area. The site is listed as an Airbnb rental and features dirt bike tracks that residents say generate excessive noise.

The issue appeared to be resolved in January, when the county’s Board of Adjustment denied an appeal from property owner Chad Nichols. The appeal challenged a notice of violation alleging the park was operating a commercial business without proper permits in a residential agricultural zone.

However, the dispute has resurfaced in recent months.

Nichols and his attorney have filed a lawsuit against the county, asking a higher court to review the Board of Adjustment’s decision.

At a county commissioner meeting in early April, Commissioner Brent Springer pressed county attorney Trey Thurman to pursue an injunction related to the case.

“I just don’t want to be up Friday at 5:30 and forget about it,” said Springer.

“We won’t forget, I just would like a little more time, because again it’s going to be contested,” said Thurman.

Residents like Bill McAbee say they are frustrated the issue remains unresolved, two weeks after the meeting, and continue to call for enforcement action, while the legal process moves forward.

“Nobody, nothing has been told to us to say, ‘look we are working on it, give us more time’, we are getting no communication, that is the problem,” said McAbee.

We previously reached out to Nichol’s Attorney, and in a statement, they said:

“My clients have always acted lawfully and well within not only their constitutionally-guaranteed property rights, but also Pender County’s zoning ordinances – the very same ordinances which the county has chosen to violate to the substantial harm to my clients.”