This popular untouched Topsail 'Point' has 1 developer seeing an opportunity
Serenity Point, the southern section of Topsail Island, provides a tranquil view of the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway coming together, but some residents are concerned about plans for the area.
Topsail Beach residents nearby received letters about a developer asking to build homes and other amenities, which would take up 37 acres. Charles F. Riggs & Associates, Inc., a land surveying company, sent out the notices on behalf of Todd Olson, owner of Pendo, a tech company.
Here are things to know about what can come next.
Where is the property?
The land is currently owned by the McLeod Family, LLC. of Wake Forest. According to Pender County mapping records, the property is located on the southernmost point of Topsail Island.
The value of the land beyond the local sand dune at 1 shore Line Drive is $2.96 million, according to current county records.
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In 2019, underdeveloped property was placed on the market for $7.95 million. During that time, concerns were brought up about wildlife, and others wondering if the land was protected for those reasons. It was zoned for conservation.
According to reports, the land is in a Coastal Barrier Resources Act zone under federal regulations, which limits the use of federal funds to develop or maintain the land. This includes federal money for infrastructure or even participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.
What are the building plans?
The letter sent to residents said Olson wants to add pervious access roads for eight single family dwellings, garages, maintenance buildings, swimming pools, decks, gazebos, a beach pavilion, beach access walkway, a sound side cottage, and a sound pier with nine boat lifts.
Previous coverage:Southern tip of Topsail for sale
Christiana Burke, an assistant town manager for Topsail Beach, reported that Olson, a private individual with interest in purchasing the property, expressed interest in conditional rezoning to build a family compound.
To move forward, one of the first steps is having a public meeting before submitting an application to the town. Building officials would like to meet with residents to discuss their plans and to get public input. The meeting will not be conducted by the town.
Based on Topsail Beach's conditional rezoning process, residents within 500 feet of the subject property must be notified with a notice 30 days before the meeting. After the meeting, the results must be filed with the town's zoning administrator.
"Oftentimes, input received at the meetings results in changes to the plans discussed at the meeting," Burke said. "As of today, Mr. Olson has not submitted any documents, site plans, or applications for his proposed development. It would be premature for him to do so prior to the public input meeting. Once he has submitted his Conditional Rezoning application, it will be subject to all required Town meetings and public hearings that will be properly advertised as is the case with all Town meetings."
When and where is the meeting?
A public meeting hosted by Charles F. Riggs & Associates and Olson is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Topsail Beach Historic Assembly Building, 720 Channel Blvd., Topsail Beach. Comments may also be sent to charlesriggs@riggslandnc.com
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Serenity Point land on Topsail Island could become family complex
