Near U.S. 17, a contentious Pender development gets initial approval for homes and retail

Chase Jordan, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
New site plans for Applewood Trace includes hundreds of units, without apartments.
New site plans for Applewood Trace includes hundreds of units, without apartments.

Since last summer, a proposal to bring hundreds of homes behind the Turtle Creek neighborhood has been a merry-go-round for Surf City officials.

But after talks and an OK from officials, the project known as "Applewood Trace" has new life again, and what appears to be the addition of a place to shop. According to a site plan from McKim and Creed, from Turtle Ventures, LLC, they would like to build close to 400 residential units and "a small retail portion" near the U.S. 17 access point.

The Surf City Planning Board approved the project with certain conditions involving infrastructure for 194 acres land near highways U.S. 17 and N.C. 210.

For the homes, developers would like to put up 181 single-family lots and 218 duplexes and townhomes. Other plans include a clubhouse with a pool for residents and a boat/RV storage area. More than 100 acres will be set aside for open space.

Plans for Applewood Trace includes commercial portion, according to site plans.
Plans for Applewood Trace includes commercial portion, according to site plans.

Previous coverage: Another proposal, another rejection: How a Surf City development could happen anyway

The 399 homes were a major change from the 700-plus units originally proposed. Plans for apartments were also cut from Applewood.

The land near Turtle Creek and the highways was meant to be additional phases but was delayed because of a recession. Setbacks in the housing market in the 2000s stopped construction.

There are now 72 homes in Turtle Creek but was originally slated at more than 400.

Logan Homes now has ownership of the empty land. In 2022, the Belville-based business and McKim & Creed Inc. made plans to build a 714-unit project next to Turtle Creek. After several meetings and a denial from town council, developers made a new proposal to reduce the number of units.

Developers are making plans to build a new neighborhood on land near the Turtle Creek community.
Developers are making plans to build a new neighborhood on land near the Turtle Creek community.

Several meetings took place with residents, the Surf City Planning Board, and its town council. Many residents voiced their concerns for the property adjacent to the end of Loggerhead Boulevard, extending to the eastside of U.S. 17. Some of them include traffic, overcrowded schools, and other infrastructure factors.

Based on plans presented during a May 11 meeting, Surf City staff members made conditions involving roads, connections to Surf City elementary and middle schools, and infrastructure. Information for the construction of a bridge over wetlands was also another request for the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

It will be sent to Surf City council members for their approval in the upcoming months.

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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Surf City Planning Board approves Applewood Trace project near U.S. 17