New Hanover Planning Board rejects affordable housing project for Castle Hayne. Here's why.
A proposed affordable housing development in New Hanover County has hit a snag.
The planning board recently rejected a request to allow increased density in the 3100 block of Blue Clay Road. This was the second time the proposal came before the planning board, but this time with a proposed density of 128 multi-family dwelling units rather than the original 180 dwelling units. But the planning board said that was still many units. In 2022, the land was rezoned for 17 quadraplex buildings consisting of 68 units.
The development, which sits close to another subdivision, Rachel’s Place, is owned by the pastor of the nearby New Beginnings Christian Church and was intended to provide affordable housing in the Castle Hayne area. The revised plan including two- and three-story buildings moved the multi-unit structures away from Blue Clay Road providing additional setbacks, but the number of units is still nearly twice as many allowed under the current zoning.
According to county staff, the proposed development would have generated 64 peak hour morning trips and 59 peak hour afternoon trips.
Staff recommended “approval because the proposed density of 14 dwelling units an acre is within the range recommended for Community Mixed Use place type. The project is reasonable and in the public interest because the proposed project provides a variety of housing options and additional affordable housing units in the county.”
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Resident opposition
Residents showed up to the public hearing to voice concerns regarding the proposed development. Concerns primarily included drainage issues and questions of density.
“My main objection to this is that it’s setting a precedent," said Joan Farrell. "It’s making our neighborhood different from the typical single-family subdivision. … I feel like it’s going to affect my quality of life while I’m living there. If I try to sell my home, I don’t think looking at pretty good-sized buildings is going to be appealing."
Nearby resident Christina Stephens added that she’s concerned that the roads will get too crowded.
“I’m really concerned about how [emergency services] are going to get around there,” Stephens said.
Residents Scott Gallagher and Jennifer Dorton both expressed concerns over drainage.
“Most of the area is wet. … Water will have to go into Rachel’s Place and Rachel’s Place has drainage problems now…,” Dorton said. “Remember the storms in December? There was water all over the place. I cannot stress this enough, we have major drainage problems.”
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Board opposition
While planning board members recognized the need for affordable housing, it was a shared sentiment that this type of development was not appropriate for this particular site.
“Affordable housing needs supportive services, and this site does not have a significant amount of services nearby. … The affordability aspect is commendable, but the density is too great in this particular area," said planning board member Clark Hipp. “Sxity-eight units seem reasonable. I was not here in this position when that was approved ..., but in general, I think that amount seems more in keeping with the neighborhoods but also in keeping with the amount of services that might be provided for those seeking housing affordability.”
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners would have the final say in whether the development is approved if the developer chooses to bring the project before them.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New Hanover County Planning Board rejects affordable housing project
