3 major developments proposed for Calabash, Ocean Isle, Winnabow areas, plus 4 rezonings

BRUNSWICK COUNTY — The Brunswick County Planning Board will consider three more planned developments when it convenes Monday. Each month, the rapidly growing county's board typically faces a stacked agenda of rezonings and, often, proposed construction to review and sign off on.

This month the officials will consider three major development projects — two in the southern and one in the northern parts of the county. They also will tackle four rezonings, varying in size across the county.

Below is a quick look at the projects up for deliberation.

The largest project covers just over 157 acres. Osprey Isle, located at U.S. 17 and Plantation Drive, will consist of 81 single-family lots and 264 semi-attached lots.

The property is made up of five parcels — partly zoned for residential and also commercial low-density — owned by four different property owners in Shallotte, Wilmington, Ocean Isle Beach and Whiteville. Walter Warren, of Myrtle Beach engineer firm Thomas & Hutton, submitted the application.

The plans include 115 acres of dedicated open space — significantly over the required amount of 31 for this project — and 4.8 acres of recreational area.

The 345 lots are expected to generate just over 3,300 trips per weekday, according to a traffic study.

All homes will be built outside of the AE Flood Hazard Zone, the staff's positive recommendation notes.

Bell Swamp Connection will consist of 90 townhomes on about 10 acres and 139 single-family lots across nearly 39 acres. It equates to an overall density of 4.7 units per acre.

Bell Swamp Connection is slated to exist on the road of the same name, near U.S. 17, and on property currently zoned as commercial low density, allowing for 13.6 units per acre. Each lot will have two driveway parking spaces, and the plans show 20 acres of dedicated open space and 2 acres of recreational space. It will add about 1,800 cars to roadways.

The main parcel for the property is owned by FEP, LLC in Wilmington, although Paramounte Engineering is seeking the planned development approval.

Just over 58 acres in Calabash are set to become the site of hundreds of townhomes.

Engineering firm Norris and Tunstall of Ash is seeking approval for Anderson Tract, a proposed development off Hickman Road. The land is zoned for up to 5.8 units per acre under medium-density residential zoning.

Originally the project was approved in September 2021 for 295 townhomes on 67 acres, the entire acreage of the parcel. The developers are back again, asking for more townhomes on less land: 336 on 58 acres, a density of 5.77 units per acre.

Two cars will be able to park in the driveway of each lot, and the drivers will generate about 1,700 trips per weekday, a traffic study estimates.

The construction will leave nearly 26.5 acres of open space and set aside 3 acres for recreational purposes.

A High Point LLC, RS Parker Development, owns the land.

There are also four rezonings on the agenda. Per procedure, no conditions or details are proposed. The board must simply consider whether the zoning is appropriate — based on the types of allowable uses, permitted density and more. It considers the county's long-term vision, surrounding areas and other factors. All planning board decisions are final for rezonings unless appealed to commissioners.

Near Leland, a rezoning of 20.5 vacant acres off Chappell Loop Road could set the stage for a high-density residential project. Wilmington's Dan Weeks H+W Design is applying for the rezoning out of neighborhood commercial. The property is owned by Sara Gibbs, whose address is in New York.

By Ash, 20 acres of a 414-acre lot off Longwood Road could switch from medium-density residential to rural residential. J. Phillip Norris is seeking the rezoning on behalf of property owner Ashton Farms, LLC.

Off Southport-Supply Road, 2.4 vacant acres near Supply could convert from high-density residential to commercial low density. Owen E. Metts is the applicant located in Wilmington. The property owner is O.A.O.A., LLC also in Wilmington, an entity registered by Metts.

Near Shallotte, 1.58 acres at 5579 Old Georgetown Rd. near Shallotte could become commercial low density, a change from its current zoning as medium-density residential. Terry Wethington is applying for the rezoning on behalf of The Electric Company and wrote in the application it would "accommodate the current use."

The Brunswick County Planning Board meets at 6 p.m. in the David R. Sandifer building, 30 Government Center Dr. NE in Bolivia. View the agenda packet here.

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