Around 60 people concerned about a proposed 4,500 home development turned out Thursday for a question and answer session at Lake Waccamaw.
County Commissioner Lavern Coleman, who attended Tuesday’s meeting organized by Bay Branch Timber developers, set up Thursday’s meeting to explain the county’s role in the development process.
None of those in attendance at either meeting in Lake Waccamaw were in favor of the project.
Coleman said Thursday’s meeting was “productive.
“There is no anger at the local officials,” he said. “It’s all directed at the developers. People are rightfully concerned about placing that many homes in an area that floods. And the overwhelming concern is for the protection of Lake Waccamaw.”
More than 200 people turned out for Tuesday’s meeting, which was hosted by Andy Wells, an engineer for Colliers Engineering and Design. Colliers was hired by Bay Branch to submit a preliminary plan to the county in support of a zoning change request. Colliers designed a number of housing projects in New Hanover and Brunswick counties.
The 1,000 acre tract is owned by Bay Branch Timber LLC of Atlanta, Ga. The business is described as “timber investment” with the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State’s annual report lists James Pierce of Hallsboro as the registered agent, with J. Bradford Smith of Atlanta and Mark McMillan of Lexington, S.C. as company officials.
The county Planning Board forwarded the plan to the county commissioners with a positive endorsement, but commissioners have not reviewed the plan nor added it to the June 16 agenda for consideration.
One of the biggest concerns for those attending both meetings was from where the potential 10,000 new residents would obtain water. Wells told those in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting that the developers would install their own water system if neither the county nor the town of Lake Waccamaw could service the development.
Coleman said that neither government agency has been formally approached about providing water service.
Coleman emphasized that he remains pro-development, but not in cases like this.
“The ecosystem is just too sensitive there,” he said. “The area around Lake Waccamaw simply cannot handle something like this, even spread out over several years like they were talking about.”
He said he supports the planned developments in the south end of the county and in his home community of Delco.
“People need places to live, and development is one thing our county can use,” he said. “We need growth, but we need good growth.
“There are places in the county that can handle 5,000 homes,” Coleman said. “The area around Lake Waccamaw is not one of them. Maybe you could put a smaller development, something more scaled down, but the impact of that many homes on that area is not going to be good for anyone.”
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