The first New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting in 2016 started with the adoption of a code of ethics. Commissioners also paved the way for a new subdivision in the northern part of the county.
Just off Blue Clay Road, a little more than 46 acres could become 154 single family lots. While commissioners unanimously approved rezoning the area to conditional residential use, the developer, Design Solutions working for the Rachel Trask Gonsalves family, still has regulatory processes to get through before building can begin. And neighbors have voiced concern about headaches from increased traffic.
Brad Schuler is a planner for New Hanover County. He says the development will install street connections to Blue Clay Road and Holland Drive – both of which are state-maintained roads.
"Street interconnectivity is a requirement of the subdivision ordinance, and it is a very important development standard in the county. By having an inter-connected street system, it allows for the convenient travel of the residents in the area. It also reduces the amount of travel on our arterial and collector streets, and most importantly, it does reduce emergency response time. So while we have heard their concerns from the surrounding residents, we do feel that this connection will bring a lot of benefit to the area."
A traffic analysis recommends installing a turn lane at the development’s access point with Blue Clay Road. And Design Solutions has also agreed to comply with three conditions: a vegetative buffer along Holland Drive, a 20-foot easement to the county for a multi-use foot path, and increased access to the subdivision’s recreational area.
In other county business last night, Commissioners made their board and commission assignments. After some tense discussion, Woody White was replaced on the Cape Fear Community College Board by Vice Chair Jonathan Barfield.
