Concerns raised after Holly Ridge approves large apartment project along U.S. 17

Developers are making plans to bring 240 apartments on U.S. 17 for the Brooke Haven project near Crawford Street in Holly Ridge, despite concerns from possible future neighbors. 

After a May 10 public hearing, the council approved a rezoning request and conceptual plans to build 10 24-unit buildings on about 17 acres of land, with 1.87 acres for commercial space. According to application documents, the cost of the multi-family development is $27 million.

Applicant Charles Riggs spoke to residents and officials on behalf of Atlantic Coast Capital, LLC for the request to have flexibility for the creation of building apartments, a commercial area and open spaces near the property line. 

Some of the complaints from residents included environmental issues such as flooding, traffic and having an apartment complex near U.S. 17, which is across the highway from Buckhorn Development townhomes. 

Resident Anna Gaskins said the project is near her property on Lincoln Street Extension in Holly Ridge and having 30 parking spaces facing her living room. Plans for the project with three-story apartment buildings will have more than 500. 

"I really think we need to look into this," said Gaskins while talking about vehicles coming and going from the complex. "It's going to lower our property values here." 

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Resident Robin Stump brought up the town's fire and police departments and spoke about how it will add more stress to the limited resources of first responders. 

"I just heard you say that this will not affect the health and well-being of our community," she said to Riggs. "I'm sorry, but I respectfully disagree with that." 

Riggs said tax money from the residents can go towards emergency services. Mayor Jeff Wenzel said it wasn't fair to question developers about emergency matters and added it's something that should be discussed by town officials. 

During the meeting, barrier and landscaping issues were brought up by other residents in attendance. While responding, Riggs said developers are going above and beyond the requirements. One example was having 2 acres of open space, although they're required to only have 1.5. 

Riggs also said they could build 270 apartments, but they're planning to have 30 less. 

"We have not pushed the limits on this project," Riggs said. 

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The first phase will consist of putting up six apartment buildings, and four for the second. A third phase will consist of adding commercial space near the highway. Each phase of the subdivision will require a separate preliminary plat for review and approval by the town's planning board and other officials.  

During the permitting process, Riggs said they talked with the North Carolina Department of Transportation about speed limits, lanes and access points. They are planning to meet with fire officials to discuss other safety matters. 

"This is a general concept plan," Riggs stressed. "We don't have all the answers here. We have the concept of what we plan to build." 

Riggs added that Holly Ridge's land use plan calls for the corridor along U.S. 17 to be commercial with higher density after responding to a resident who suggested single-family houses instead of apartments. 

"It's my opinion that this property is suited for this particular site and it fits in very well," Riggs said. 

While answering questions about the project near the highway, Riggs said the apartments are about 160 feet away from U.S. 17. 

"I don't know any other commercial or residential (project) on the 17 corridor that is that far back," he said. "When you come into town, you're going to see landscaping, you're going to see some type of commercial here. It's going to be a welcome coming into Holly Ridge." 

The request from Riggs passed with a 3-2 vote. Commissioner mayor pro-tem Pamala Hall and councilwoman Rena Bragg voted against it after bringing up flooding concerns and having more commercial services to offer residents. 

According to a schedule from Charles F. Riggs & Associates, Inc., a land surveying business with offices in Jacksonville and Wilmington, the clearing of land could start in February 2023 after permit approvals. Construction of apartments would follow in April 2023 and will continue through October with work for driveways and parking areas. They anticipate a certificate of occupancy awarded in 2024, which means developers met requirements for people to move in. 

Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com.