New Hanover County has denied plans for Hilton Bluffs, the controversial development of Castle Hayne's Sledge Forest, after nearly two years of resident pushback.
County Manager Chris Coudriet has intervened to administratively deny plans for Hilton Bluffs, an 1,800-home subdivision on 4,000 acres. Coudriet cited "unacceptable operational and life safety risks," specifically noting the single-point access that would have hindered emergency response and evacuation efforts. He emphasized that the county, its emergency response agencies and any future Hilton Bluffs residents would be at risk.
"County administration has an obligation to consider the broader public safety implications of development, including the ability of all emergency response
agencies to safely and effectively serve future residents," Coudriet wrote in his denial letter. "In addition, given the location of this site, having just one ingress and egress point is a concern if there is a significant rain event that causes flooding and impacts to the road. Accessibility for emergency responders and residents could be severely compromised."
The project, proposed by Charlotte-based developer Copper Builders, was under review by the county's Technical Review Committee. The developer had recently submitted revised plans removing one of the project's two accesses as part of a settlement with surrounding neighbors who had legally challenged the builder's effort to build a roadway on a residential lot.
During TRC proceedings, county Fire Marshal David Stone said that the single point of access created significant safety concerns, but noted that state law would not allow him to require more than one.
While Coudriet's decision closes this chapter of the Sledge Forest saga, it does not necessarily mean that the story is over.
Copper Builders can resubmit plans for review to the TRC, though Coudriet noted that any future submittals must have more than one point of access.
Notably, plans for Hilton Bluffs were considered a by-right proposal, meaning that no public hearing or commissioner approval were required. The initial project proposed 4,000 homes on the property, with the density clustered away from largely unbuildable wetlands.
An appeal hearing for the TRC's approval of the previously submitted plans, which included the access that Copper Builders agreed not to pursue, is still moving forward, county staff confirmed. The hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. at the New Hanover County Government Center.
Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover County for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New Hanover denied the Sledge Forest development. Here's what's next.
