Forty-five North Carolina property owners sued over roads planned through their neighborhoods for the 1,800-home Hilton Bluffs project; the developer removed both links, then the county denied its revised one-access plan

A legal dispute over access roads for a planned 1,800-home development in North Carolina has led to revised site plans being rejected. The dispute began after 45 property owners took legal action to stop proposed roads from passing through their neighbourhoods. Development company Copper Builders faced a lawsuit filed in Superior Court on behalf of local residents. The first project plans showed access roads crossing existing private properties in New Hanover County. After residents challenged the plans, the developer removed both disputed road links and submitted a new site plan using one entrance along Sledge Road. However, local authorities rejected the single-entrance plan during technical reviews. Officials cited strict safety rules for emergency vehicle access at large residential developments. As reported by Port City Daily, the dispute has left the future of the multi-million-pound Hilton Bluffs project uncertain ahead of upcoming appeal hearings.

Easement disputes spark court action

The dispute began when nearby property owners learned that early plans for Hilton Bluffs included road connections across their land. The development site is in the Sledge Forest area near Castle Hayne, a low-lying rural part of New Hanover County. Lawyers for 45 affected homeowners filed a complaint in Superior Court. They argued that Copper Builders did not have the legal easements needed to build public roads across private properties. Court documents cited by Port City Daily named several landowners who refused to sell access rights. They included Nuclear Fuel Holding Co. Inc. and individual local residents. Attorney Ned Richardson, who represents the neighbouring property owners, argued that the developer tried to get project approval without first securing valid property agreements. The Southern Environmental Law Center also filed a formal appeal against the county’s initial site approval. It alleged that the proposed road system broke local land-use rules and environmental guidelines. As legal action increased, Copper Builders began talks with neighbouring groups. The company agreed to remove the disputed access points from its engineering plans.

Single entry plan rejected over safety rules

To settle the dispute with local residents, Copper Builders submitted revised plans to the New Hanover County Technical Review Committee. The new plans removed the two disputed neighbourhood connections. This left Sledge Road as the only entrance and exit for the entire 1,800-home project. County planning and emergency officials quickly raised concerns about traffic and fire safety. Under the North Carolina Fire Code and local subdivision rules, residential developments with more than 30 homes generally need at least two separate working access roads. This allows emergency vehicles to enter if one road is blocked by a storm or accident. The local fire marshal said during early technical talks that structural measures could potentially be considered to address the issue. However, county planning officers ultimately rejected the single-access layout during the formal review. Port City Daily reported that county officials decided one access road could not safely handle the amount of traffic expected from an 1,800-home community. The decision left Copper Builders without an approved site plan that would allow ground preparation to begin on the property.

Legal manoeuvres delay administrative appeals

The project faced more delays when the New Hanover County Board of Adjustment met to consider pending appeals from community groups and the Southern Environmental Law Center. During recent board proceedings, lawyers for Copper Builders used an unusual approach. They asked the review board to dismiss the current community appeals while also arguing that the original site plan approved in March was still legally valid. Attorney Sam Franck, representing the developer, said the earlier approvals remained legally binding despite the later changes to the access roads. As reported by Port City Daily, community lawyers strongly rejected the developer’s arguments during the hearing. Attorney Jason Keelin, who represents regional environmental groups, told the board: “They’re not going to follow the plan that has been conditionally approved; therefore, we don’t need to stay. We’re not worried about that.” The Board of Adjustment voted to delay a final decision. It told both sides to prepare full legal arguments on the appeal for a hearing scheduled for 4 November at the New Hanover County Government Center. Board member Michael Sanclimenti urged everyone involved to prepare clear legal evidence. During the recorded proceedings, he said: “Let’s try to end this thing.”

Regional pressure on coastal infrastructure

The dispute over Hilton Bluffs shows some of the growing challenges caused by rapid housing growth across coastal North Carolina. New Hanover County has seen major population growth over the past decade. This has increased pressure on rural roads, stormwater systems and natural habitats. Local environmental groups, including those working under the Save Sledge Forest banner, have argued that large housing projects threaten regional ecosystems and increase flood risks in low-lying coastal areas. A separate agreement announced by the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust sought to protect 3,200 acres of nearby forestland. However, local conservation groups said legal disputes over traffic safety and water quality would continue. With the site plans stalled and local permits still unresolved, construction has not started on the Sledge Road property. The developer and opposing landowners are both due to return to court and administrative review boards later this autumn.