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Pender County planning board denies Walnut Grove conditional rezoning for 104 townhomes in Hampstead area
Summary
The planning board voted to deny a conditional rezoning that would have allowed 104 attached townhomes on about 19 acres near the Hampstead bypass, citing concerns about traffic, school capacity and compatibility with the county’s comprehensive plan.
The Pender County Planning Board on Wednesday denied a conditional zoning request from Bill Clark Homes that would have rezoned roughly 19 acres in the Hampstead area to allow 104 single-family attached townhome units.
Virginia Norris, senior planner for Pender County, told the board staff found the Walnut Grove plan met density and open-space metrics, noted wetlands on the site and reported utility confirmations for water and sewer. Staff estimated the development would generate about 742 daily vehicle trips and an additional 42 students for nearby Topsail schools, and recommended approval with conditions.
The developer, represented by Landon Weaver of Bill Clark Homes and Allison Ingertson of Paramount Engineering, said the project would deliver open space, internal sidewalks, a bus stop requested by Pender County Schools and onsite amenities. Weaver told the board the development would “bring sewer to the area,” which the applicant said was necessary to make the project financially feasible.
Neighbors who spoke at the hearing urged denial, telling the board the single access points, daily congestion near St. John’s Church Road and existing school overcrowding make the site unsuitable for increased density. “This does not conform with what that neighborhood already has,” resident Anne Jones told the board, describing the long-established, low-density character and safety concerns for seniors and children.
Board members questioned traffic modeling and whether attached housing would truly reduce trips compared with detached subdivisions. Jonathan Guy, the project traffic engineer, said the North Carolina Department of Transportation reviewed the trip estimates and did not require a traffic-impact analysis because the project did not meet its thresholds.
Following public comment and deliberation, a motion to deny the zoning map amendment carried. Staff noted the applicant may take the proposal to the Board of County Commissioners, which will consider the matter on April 20 in Burg.
The board’s denial was framed by members as based on the application’s inconsistency with portions of Imagine Pender 2050 and concerns about roads and school capacity in the area.
