In 'land that time forgot,' Brunswick development gains approval to nearly double
A residential development planned in Brunswick County was approved to add more homes on additional land, now looking to bring over 100 homes between Varnamtown and Supply.
The development, Cedar Crossing, was originally approved unanimously by the Brunswick County Planning Board in December 2022. At that time, the project looked to bring 79 homes to just over 27 acres of land off Cedar Grove and Stanley roads.
Phil Norris of Norris and Tunstall Engineering brought an expansion request to the Brunswick County Planning Board in February. Norris said a neighboring property owner was interested in joining the project, and the developer sought approval to add 50 homes on the additional 17.5 acres of land. Conceptual plans for the project were approved, and the development now looks to build 129 homes on a total of 44.75 acres of land.
The original plans for the project had the development at a density of 2.9 dwelling units per acre – the maximum density for the rural residential zone. With the approved expansion, the project’s density will remain the same: 2.9 dwelling units per acre.
Water and sewer services at Cedar Crossing would be provided by Brunswick County, and the roads would be private. The development currently plans to have off-street parking with at least two driveway parking spaces at each single-family lot.
When the project was initially brought to the planning board, neighbors and nearby residents were concerned about the added traffic to the area. At the time, county planning staff told the board the proposed development was expected to generate an additional 756 vehicle trips per weekday. With the additional lots, the development is now anticipated to generate an additional 1,234 vehicle trips per day.
Some of the same residents who spoke out against the project over a year ago voiced concerns at the planning board’s February meeting.
Maryanne Schmitt said she lives nearby the property on which the project is proposed.
“This is in Supply, a land that time forgot,” Schmitt said. “We are unincorporated, we have no government to represent us, so Brunswick County can do whatever they want to us.”
Schmitt said she spoke against the development when it was initially approved and voiced similar concerns regarding the expansion.
“It’s just going to be another open area, trees ripped out and nothing in it,” Schmitt said. “This doesn’t belong in our neighborhood.”
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The four present members of the planning board unanimously approved the expansion request at the February meeting. Members Rob Medlin, Eric Dunham, Joy Peele Easley and William Bittenbender were not present at the monthly meeting.
The approval of the planning board is not an authorization to construct. The project must obtain all necessary federal, state and county approvals and permits prior to construction.
Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Cedar Crossing in Brunswick County, NC to add more homes, acreage
