Hampstead neighborhood and yacht club reach agreement on boating access

Chase Jordan, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
Lot owners in the Olde Point neighborhood were previously being denied access to boating and recreation.
Lot owners in the Olde Point neighborhood were previously being denied access to boating and recreation.

After a conflict for boat access to the Intracoastal Waterway in Hampstead, a yacht club reached an agreement with its neighbors in the Olde Point Community.

Harbour Village Yacht Club (HVYC), a private organization, was restricting Olde Point lot owners from using an area for boat landing and recreation purposes. According to a GoFundMe page created in January to raise legal expenses, many homeowners had deeded rights. The creator, Ferrell Drewry, said he was unaware of the conflict when he was buying a home.

"Deeded water access was a feature that the selling real estate agent promoted in the listing," Drewry said.

Complaints were also made about paying fees. The Olde Point Property Owners Association (OPPOA) filed a lawsuit against HVYC on behalf of the lot owners. Later during the year, an agreement was reached between OPPOA and HVYC.

Previous coverage: Hampstead neighborhood and yacht club owners ramp up battle over boating access

"The agreement seems to be working as expected and we have had no negative feedback," said Bob Gessner, HVYC commodore. "We added a kayak launch and access for pedestrians who want to view the water."

It was also noted in the agreement that the parking lot, boat ramp, and pedestrian area would be available for Olde Point residents with several conditions, such as prohibiting the area for fishing, swimming, and sunbathing. For 2023, the fee for motorized boat users was listed at $300, $100 for non-motorized boat users and $50 for pedestrians.

HVYC was founded in 1989 as a social club to promote boating with about 50 members. Ten years later, the club bought property for where the clubhouse, launch ramp, and parking lot is now. Today, there are now more than 100 members and a boat ramp, club house, parking area, and a 57-slot boat and boat trailer storage lot.

Many homes are right by the waterway and is near the Olde Point Country Club, which includes an 18-hole course, restaurant, and other amenities.

"We are happy to provide access to view the ICW and south Topsail Island to our neighbors," Gessner said. "It can be frustrating to live so close to the water and not have a place to see a dolphin go by."

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Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Olde Point in Hampstead and club reach agreement for boating access