The town of Leland is exercising its newfound authority to annex multiple properties as one paves the way for an arboretum and event space.
One of the properties is a town-owned waterfront parcel that currently sits in Brunswick County jurisdiction. With a new law enacted, an annexation and new life lies ahead for the site and more.
Town officials on Aug. 20 initiated the annexation process for five different properties after a North Carolina law passed in July 2026 gave Leland authority to accept petitions to annex properties again.
Town Manager David Hollis said the five properties is just the beginning.
Annexation authority changes
State law allows a town to annex an area contiguous to its corporate
limits if a valid petition signed by all subject property owners is submitted. Once submitted, town government must town clerk is to investigate the sufficiency of the annexation.
While state law allows municipalities to purchase properties outside of their corporate limits, Leland was stripped of its annexation power in 2023 when the North Carolina legislature enacted Senate Bill 79. The bill suspended Leland's authority to annex properties but excluded petitions for voluntary annexation in progress before March 1, 2023.
Recently passed legislation, Senate Bill 876, addresses Leland's annexation authority and allows the town to annex property up to three miles from its primary corporate limits and town-owned property. The bill also allows the town to annex property if a petition for annexation was submitted before July 1, 2026. In addition, petitioned property cannot extend west of Maco Road NE nor Ocean Highway East.
Though the new law is a "good step," Hollis said the town will continue to push for full annexation rights.
"We feel like the town should have the same rights as every other municipality in the state," Hollis said.
Vision for Leland riverfront property
The town acquired the property at 964 River Road for $5.5 million in November 2023 after the site was listed for public sale. The property is surrounded by residential homes along Paw Paw Lane in Leland township, Club Court in Belville jurisdiction, and Crofters Court SE in Brunswick County.
The town obtained the roughly 28-acre property after hearing residents' concerns about the rapid growth along the N.C. 133 corridor, as stated in the property purchase announcement from 2023.
The roughly 24.5-acre property is currently zoned for rural low density use under Brunswick County's zoning. Previous property owners, Live Oak Landing, LLC, in February 2023 requested annexation and initial conditional zoning for the property.
Economic and Community Development Director Barnes Sutton presented a preliminary concept plan of the project to town council on Aug. 17. After speaking with residents, town staff is considering using 60% of the property for an arboretum with gardens and trails, Sutton said.
A visitor center, boardwalk, kayak launch, restaurant and event venue are also part of the vision, Sutton added.
"We wanted to take advantage of everything the site is offering, while also taking into account that this is next to neighboring communities," Sutton said. "But, we want to make something tasteful that they would also participate in."
Town Manager David Hollis said the towns' first steps involve annexing and zoning the property for conservation. Then, the park concept will be reviewed by various town boards and the public before going to town council for a vote.
The park is to be included in the Leland Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Plan that is being updated, Hollis said.
Plans for Silver Timber Tract
In November 2025, the town announced it acquired Silver Timber Tract, a 533-acre forested property within the Battle Royal Bay Significant Natural Heritage Area, as previously reported, to anchor a large preservation. The tract is outside of town limits and is located near the intersection of N.C. 87 and Colon Mintz Road along the Batarora Branch waterway, which flows into the northwest Cape Fear River.
The Silver Timber Tract purchase brought the total acreage the town owns in that area to 999.96 acres, which Hollis said will all be annexed for another future nature park.
"The town has several town-owned properties that will be annexed," said Hollis, noting a "good portion" of them are located along N.C. 87.
Some improvements for the N.C. 87 property include parking and restroom facilities, hiking trails, wildlife observation opportunities and environmental education programs, Hollis previously told the StarNews.
Other annexation petitions to be investigated
Town government must direct the town clerk is to investigate the sufficiency of the annexation once a valid petition to voluntary annex is submitted. Though multiple valid petitions have been submitted since March 1, 2023, the town was unable to take any actions due to Senate Bill 79 until now.
On Aug. 20, Leland Town Council directed the town clerk to investigate four other petitions for voluntary annexation received between 2024-2026. The properties range in size from 1.61-acres to 16 acres, totaling roughly 33 acres to be annexed.
Hollis said there are "quite a few" annexation petitions in the queue awaiting town council action. Even if the original petition is from March 2023, Hollis said it remains valid and active.
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Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at stenenoff@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Leland initiates first round of annexations following new law
