Sarcidi staff lists active commercial and housing projects; incoming community development director introduced

Town staff provided a round of project updates and introduced the incoming community development director at the meeting.

Sean (town staff) said the pet crematorium has been released for construction and that the Cape Fear Community College expansion is underway. He reported a conditional district application from Zander Guy at Sea Oaks and NC 50 remains pending a few outstanding items and that a second phase for Tops Landing Condos is being reworked. Sean said the Colonial Heights project is expected before the planning board next month; initial comments in the meeting estimated the project at roughly "120 to 140" units, and staff later clarified the project is 136 units.

Staff also noted a number of commercial developments are moving forward: Take 5 Oil and Valvoline sites have been released, Advanced Auto Parts and a Starbucks are under development near the Harris Teeter area, and a parcel beside the Starbucks is in final contract negotiations for a restaurant with a drive‑through. No timing or detailed permit conditions were provided for those commercial parcels during the update.

A committee member introduced Jeremy Smith as the town's incoming community development director. The introducer said Smith will join the town on May 1, has 15 years with the City of Jacksonville and prior experience with multiple North Carolina counties, and brings experience working with local surveyors and engineers. The introducer said, "we hope he will hit the ground running May 1."