Carolina Beach will allow a developer to backtrack on conditions surrounding short-term rentals at a luxury apartment complex despite vocal opposition from residents.
In a split 3-2 vote on Sept. 8, Town Council approved Cape Fear Development’s
request to allow short term rentals at The Proximity at Carolina Beach, a 250-unit complex accompanied by 10 commercial businesses. The complex will be allowed to operate 15 short-term rental units.Cape Fear Development initially applied to allow 25 short-term units. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of 12 short-term rental units, with each rental having a minimum 31-day booking window. There is no minimum window under the approved modification.
Mike Brown of Cape Fear Development
said that the developer is seeking the modification in part due to conflicting uses in the complex. In response to a question from Mayor Lynn Barbee regarding what has changed since the initial approval, Brown said that it was not part of Cape Fear Development’s long-term plan to ask for the modification.
“Proximity is not a uniform apartment building,” Brown said. “A limited number of units are located directly above and near commercial uses where the residential experience can differ from units elsewhere in the community.”
Multiple residents cited issues regarding property management, including an elevator being out of service for over seven weeks. Brown said that the discussion surrounding the application has prompted him to take a closer look at management concerns.
Residents also voiced concerns over the presence of vacationers at the complex. Brown said that the modification would allow for temporary housing, traveling professionals, people visiting family members or waiting for their home to be built.
Proximity resident Christina Bowen has worked as a consultant on development projects including resorts, residential and mixed-use communities.
“Never in my career have I ever seen a significant condition of a development approval reversed simply to accommodate a change in a developer’s business model,” Bowen said.
Community Development Director Jeremy Hardison said that the town’s land use plan discourages short term rentals in residential areas but noted that Proximity is a mixed-use development. He also stated that the developer voluntarily agreed to the condition when the project was initially approved.
Town attorney Noel Fox said that if the applicant had not proposed the condition, the town would not have the authority to enforce it.
Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover County for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Short-term rentals coming to Carolina Beach apartments despite opposition
