New Hanover Development Faces Another Controversial Review

The initial stage of a contentious residential project is set to be reviewed by the officials of New Hanover County.

A section of Hilton Bluffs, the largest residential project In recent New Hanover history, it will be presented to the county’s technical review committee on May 7, as indicated in county documents. Although the initial subdivision constitutes only a small portion of the overall project, it’s bigger than most Residential projects suggested within the county over the past few years stand alone.

The conceptual master plan submitted with the application hasn’t been updated to account for developer Copper Builders’ potential agreement with Unique Places to Save, a nonprofit aiming to buy and protect part of the land where development isn't possible. This proposed sale of 1,160 acres might reduce the project’s overall number of units by about a fourth; however, this arrangement has not yet reached completion.

Here’s what you should know regarding the initial stage of Hilton Bluffs.

What's in this phase?

The initial Hilton Bluffs development comprises 647 residential units. It’s anticipated that approximately one-third of these residences will be allocated for senior living, as indicated in the project documentation. Initially, when Copper Builders introduced their proposals for the first stage towards the end of 2024, they had proposed just 230 units for this part of the scheme.

The plans have undergone some adjustments since November 2024, following the determination of the project's traffic impact assessment by the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Initially, developers intended to construct the initial 98 units in 2026, aiming for a complete tally of 700 units by 2029. According to the traffic impact study from back then, these first 700 residences were projected to result in approximately 5,467 additional daily trips within the region.

According to the site plans, the initial division consists of five segments located in the west part of the land. This proposal includes 647 plots spread across 217.93 hectares, resulting in an overall density of 2.97 dwellings per hectare. The location is within a rural agricultural zone that permits only one dwelling per hectare. performance zoning requirements , developers can group together units and incorporate undisturbed land into their density measurements.

The initial amenities will feature pickleball courts, tennis courts, both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a clubhouse, gyms, and tiered decks. Additionally, a network of communal paths comprising sidewalks and nature trails is scheduled to be constructed.

What's next?

The Hilton Bluffs master plan, though not a formal submission nor qualified for endorsement by the technical review committee, encompasses 4,000 possible building sites. According to the comprehensive traffic impact assessment tied to 4,085 residences, this development could result in approximately 27,053 daily journeys once complete. At present, Castle Hayne Road experiences around 11,500 vehicle movements per day on average annually.

The schedule provided by the WMPO in November 2024 indicates that the project will be entirely completed by 2044. Several elements might alter the development of Hilton Bluffs within this period, such as the potential acquisition of land by Unique Places to Save. The nonprofit organization is applying for a $10.2 million grant from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund to buy the site, along with a $5 million contribution from the current owner.

The local advocacy organization Save Sledge Forest might also affect the outcome for Hilton Bluffs. Their online petition aimed at stopping the development is approaching 10,000 signatures. In addition, Save Sledge Forest has hired legal representation to support their conservation efforts. They aim to gather a minimum of $15,000 to pay for attorneys' fees, expert testimony costs, and additional legal expenditures.

Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover County for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@gannett.com .

The article initially appeared in the Wilmington StarNews. A contentious development in New Hanover is set for an additional evaluation shortly.