A growing area off U.S. 17 could get another development. Here are 4 things to know.
A zoning change along U.S. 17 could make way for more development in the Scotts Hill area of Pender County and become a possible extension to a new neighborhood.
On behalf of a landowner, homebuilder D.R. Horton sent requests to Pender County officials to change future land use and zoning maps for 20 acres of land, about a mile away north of Scotts Hill Loop Road, on the west side of the highway.
Since this is a rezoning request, a conceptual plan hasn't been included within the application.
Here are four things to know.
A connection to Blake Farm
Richard Collier, a regional growth manager for McKim & Creed, spoke to members of the Pender County Planning Board during an April meeting on behalf of D.R. Horton.
He said the land was originally part of the nearby Blake Farm neighborhood project, which is under construction now and south of the property.
But there were infrastructure and road issues with Atlantic Avenue that held up construction. Collier said progress with Atlantic Avenue will assist with traffic in the area.
"Even though by the way this sits, I can't say to you tonight that this will be part of Blake Farm tomorrow," Collier said. "We hope that it will, but that is not what's before you."
More: As Scotts Hill continues to grow, how one development is playing a major role
Developers eye Scotts Hill: As Sheetz and Wawa enter Wilmington, trees are in the way of a Circle K in Scotts Hill
More places to live
By changing from the residential performance zone to a planned development zone, some of the allowable uses include single-family homes, duplexes, and apartments.
With a change to the future land use map and allowable density, the area could have up to 15 dwellings per acre for multifamily projects and up to 10 dwelling units per acre for single-family homes.
What else?
The land is currently zoned with medium density residential and neighborhood mixed use. For the map amendment, a request was made for regional mixed use. This category is for places with water/sewer infrastructure along primary roadway corridors like Interstate 40, U.S. 117, and U.S. 421.
County officials prefer land use for commercial/retail and office and apartments large employment centers and retail spaces are also encouraged. Higher density single-family uses should account for less than 25%.
Under zoning regulations, there are close to 80 allowable uses for commercial uses, with some having special conditions. Some of them include food and beverage establishments, offices, retail, nursing and residential care facilities, and childcare centers.
For future projects, a master plan would need to be presented to county officials for approvement.
What's next?
During their April meeting, planning board members delayed a decision to have more time to study the request. After a May 2 meeting, a hearing for the zoning requests will be sent to the Pender County Board of Commissioners.
STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest news by signing up for the StarNews newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.
Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Near the New Hanover and Pender line, another development could emerge
