Circle K project in Pender County withdrawn, but could return for review
Developers were hoping to build a new Circle K to Scotts Hill, but an issue with trees is keeping any potential construction lost in the forest.
The applicant, Pope Properties on 17 LLC., made the proposal for the corner of U.S. 17 and Scotts Hill Loop Road. During previous meetings, the Pender County Board of Adjustment (BOA) held public hearings about trees in the area.
Daniel Adams, planning and community development director, said the project is still pending, but has not been approved because of inability to meet an ordinance of replacing significant trees to a 2:1 ratio.
Plans for the project include a 5,200 square-foot convenience store with gas pumps and a car wash. But rules regarding trees and replacements were concerns for board members. According to a county ordinance, when significant trees are removed, mitigation of planting the same species is required.
But it'll come with construction challenges for developers. Another was residents opposing the development because of environmental concerns.
For the 8 acres of land on four tracts of land, an applicant made a proposal to plant close to 100 of the required 172 trees and to pay a fee for the other required trees.
After a variance application was submitted to the county in November, the BOA reviewed it in December, when it was tabled for a Feb. 15 meeting. During the hearing, the applicant wanted a continuance to evaluate the site. An April 19 date was set for it.
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"Prior to that meeting taking place, the developer withdrew their variance application," Adams stated.
Officials from Pope Properties on 17 were unavailable to provide a comment when contacted by the StarNews about the status. In 2022, David Sneeden, owner of Pope Properties on 17, said it's long overdue, especially as the Scotts Hill area continues to grow between Porters Neck and Hampstead.
"If you get off of I-140, you got to go all the way to Country Club Road on Highway 17 before you hit a convenience store or gas station," he said to the StarNews previously. "As you know with all the development and the traffic, it's hard to make a left turn off of highway 17 and to get back on it easily. It's just a big need in the community for a convenience store on that east side of the road. It's a lot of growth in the Scotts Hill area."
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Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Plans for a Circle K in Scotts Hill area of Pender County withdrawn
