NEW HILTON BLUFFS APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO PLANNING DEPT.

The Full Picture

The revised application proposes 1,800 homes, but the complete project filing lists up to 4,085 homes at full buildout. While this could potentially be a reduction - it's a phased approach that keeps all options on the table for future expansion.

Infrastructure Reality

Castle Hayne's existing infrastructure was designed for a rural community. Adding even 1,800 homes means thousands of additional vehicles traveling through our rural neighborhoods daily, all funneling onto two-lane Castle Hayne Road. Our roads, schools, and emergency services aren't equipped for this scale of growth.

Density Comparison

For context: Landfall (currently our largest residential subdivision in the county) has 2,000 homes spread across 2,200 acres, including a golf course. This proposal packs 1,800 homes onto less than 600 acres of the only buildable upland in the eastern portion of Sledge Forest—three times the density and three times as many homes as this RA zoned area allows.

Environmental Concerns

The development site remains surrounded by tidal waters on three sides andis a flood prone area. The adjacent property's documented hazardous waste and toxic plume present ongoing risks to our drinking water. Before any approval, we need a comprehensive Environmental Impact Study to assess how extensive land disturbance will affect groundwater and the containment of existing contamination.

Wildlife & Forest Impact

Sledge Forest supports diverse wildlife populations that depend on intact habitat corridors. Beyond the direct loss and clearcutting of buildable upland, the development brings unavoidable impacts to the surrounding forest:

Infrastructure through wetlands: Roads, utilities, and stormwater systems must cut through wetland buffers to reach the development, fragmenting habitat connections

Continuous disturbance: 1,800 homes generate constant vehicle traffic, artificial lighting, and noise that extend far beyond property lines—disrupting wildlife breeding, feeding, and migration patterns

Construction timeline: Years of heavy equipment, staging areas, and construction activity will impact the entire forest ecosystem during the build phase

Human activity: Increased foot traffic, pets, and residential runoff permanently alter the forest dynamics, even in "preserved" areas adjacent to development

Wildlife doesn't recognize property boundaries. The cumulative effect of human presence fundamentally changes how—and whether—the forest functions as viable habitat.

The Conservation Question

The developer is marketing portions of the jurisdictional wetlands—mostly swampland that is unbuildable—to conservation groups. If conservation is truly the goal, we support permanent protection of these lands. However, conservation should include the buildable uplands that actually support the forest ecosystem and is under the most threat, not just areas that can't be developed anyway.

———————————————————-

APRIL 28, 2025

Copper Builders Hit With Violations

According to official documents from the New Hanover County Planning & Land Use Department, Copper Builders, through Mr. Wade Miller, has received a Notice of Violation (NOV) regarding activities on the Sledge Forest property. The NOV, dated April 14th, cites the placement of a structure and associated solar structure without obtaining the necessary building, zoning, floodplain, and CAMA permits.

The specific violations, as outlined in the county's Unified Development Ordinance, include developing property or a structure and occupying or using land or a structure without first obtaining all appropriate permits or approvals. Additionally, the notice details violations related to development activity within a Special Flood Hazard Area and placement of a structure within a CAMA Area of Environmental Concern

Whether this was oversight or intentional disregard, what does this say about their apporoach to a project of such massive scale and impacts? Surely, when a developer can’t adhere to basic permitting processes at the outset, that should send significant red flags to our policy makers, our Planning Department and our community.

READ MORE HERE

MARCH, 2025

We have some exciting news!

We have successfully retained legal counsel, marking a pivotal moment in our campaign. This crucial step forward means we are now equipped to take our cause to the next level, and we are absolutely energized by the possibilities ahead. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $15,000 to cover the costs of our legal battle. This will include attorney fees, expert witness fees, and other legal expenses.

‍ YOU’RE INVITED!

Come see the premiere showing of “The Last Forest”‍

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19TH / 6:30PM SATELLITE BAR & LOUNGE

A short, but powerful, 6 minute story about our community’s fight to protect the last large forest in New Hanover County

Connect with Fellow Supporters Celebrate our Accomplishments Learn What’s New & What’s Next ‍

The new Hilton Bluffs application will be reviewed by the NHC Technical Review Committee at their Wed., Nov. 19th 2PM meeting.

This is a virtual meeting but the public can listen in -no comments allowed during the meeting, but feel free to send them in before Nov. 19th.

The call in number and agenda will be listed here as soon as it is available. Or you can join the TRC Email Sign Up‍ ‍and you will receive that info via email.

———————————————————

Sledge Forest has recently been added to the list of threatened Old Growth Forests by the Old Growth Forest Network. a national organization

The Old-Growth Forest Network is the only national network in the U.S. of protected, old-growth, native forests where people of all generations can experience biodiversity and the beauty of nature.