Home Care In Winnabow, NC

With heavy winds and rainfall overnight, the Wilmington area experienced some damage from Tropical Storm Idalia.

Reports mostly included downed trees, minor road flooding and damage from possible tornadoes Wednesday night..

If you experienced any damage from the storm, let us know at [email protected].

Tornadoes

The outer bands of Tropical Storm Idalia moved into the Cape Fear region Wednesday bringing storms that spawned a number of tornado warnings across the region. While crews were still on the ground in several locations Thursday afternoon, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Wilmington said teams did confirm that two tornadoes touched down -- one in Silver Lake near Monkey Junction in Wilmington and one just across the Cape Fear River along N.C. 133 near Winnabow.

At this time, teams are still on site in other areas surveying the damage, and a determination is expected on those possible tornadoes later today.

Flooding

As of Thursday morning, rain had fallen across the Cape Fear region for nearly 24 hours, and reports of water on the roadways started coming in Wednesday night.

Law enforcement agencies across Brunswick County were reporting flooding on a number of roads and urged drivers to use caution.

Reports included flooding along roads in Hearthstone and Mallory Creek in Leland; N.C. 87, Pine Lake, Fifty Lakes, E. Boiling Spring, and Goldsboro roads in Boiling Spring Lakes; several roads in Oak Island; Bay Street and Yacht Basin Drive in Southport; N.C. 130 in Shallotte; Ash-Little River Road; and N.C. 211 near St. James. Sections of U.S. 17 also were underwater but passable.

The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office reported Thursday morning that a section of Shallotte Point Loop Road was washed out and not passable.

The storm combined with king tides pushed water into the streets at several beach towns. The town of Sunset Beach closed the bridge to the mainland at high tide for about two hours Wednesday evening, noting the bridge was impassable due to inundation. Ocean Isle Beach also had flooding along Richmond Street, and Southport’s Yacht Basin was underwater during high tide.

Pender County Emergency Management Director Tommy Batson said river flooding is expected there early next week.

THE LATEST NEWS:Complete coverage of Hurricane Idalia's impacts on the Wilmington area

Power Outages

As of Thursday morning, some residents in the Wilmington area were without power, and several others rushed to their coffee pots as the power flickered, but for most, the power remained on.

Alex Riley, spokesman for New Hanover County, reported "several thousand" of Duke Energy's customers were without power, and there were several reports of downed trees with many of those already cleared.

Batson said about 1,000 residents are without power in Pender County.

According to the outage maps, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation was reporting about 423 of its 98,343 Brunswick County customers were without power early Thursday morning.

Duke Energy Carolinas had about 1,500 reported power outages around Leland, Northwest, and Sandy Creek, about 3,000 were without power across Wilmington, and a few in Pender County.

In Pender County, Four-County EMC reported about 650 were without power in Pender County. Jones-Onslow, which serves just over 8,7000 residents in Pender County reported only six were without power.

More:Wilmington-area power outages: See maps as Idalia impacts North Carolina

Debris

As residents awoke Thursday morning, many found limbs, branches and debris in their yards. But with high winds expected throughout the day, more could fall before Tropical Storm Idalia passes.

A few reported damages from Wednesday evening’s possible tornadoes. One unconfirmed tornado was reported to have touched down near St. James and caused damage to the Four Paws Veterinary Hospital. The business addressed the damages on its Facebook page, noting a portion of the roof was blown off and the ceiling in front of the building had collapsed.

“Our clinic cats are safe,” the post said. “No people were injured and things can be rebuilt.”

The post noted the clinic would be closed Thursday and Friday, and the owner hoped to have a plan in place by Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a reader in Myrtle Grove reported several downed trees and damages to a well, screened porch and outdoor fans and lighting fixtures.

With the acquisition of a Leland-based law firm, a South Carolina real estate firm is expanding into North Carolina.

Nelson & Galbreath, with offices in Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Charleston and upstate South Carolina, as well as in Atlanta, just closed on its purchase of Rhodes Law Offices at 503 Olde Waterford Way, Suite 201 in Leland. That firm’s owner, J. Randall Rhodes, will remain with the new firm for a year, according to Nelson & Galbreath spokesman and builder services managing attorney Forest Ellis.

When he opened his practice in 2007, Rhodes was one of the first real estate law offices in Leland, Ellis said, adding that now, Rhodes was looking at retirement and had listed his firm for sale with a brokerage. The brokerage contacted Nelson & Galbreath about the opportunity.

Nelson & Galbreath were also approached by Ryan Homes, a national homebuilder with whom it works frequently. Ryan Homes has plans to develop projects across Brunswick County and into New Hanover County and encouraged Nelson & Galbreath to expand into the area as well.

“We work with a division president of Ryan Homes in Horry County who is overseeing their expansion into North Carolina,” Ellis said. “One of our partners has expansion goals for us; Brunswick County was a natural next place. Randy [Rhodes’] firm was ideal for us since he had established relationships with builders and the local real estate community, and a staff already in place.”

Rhodes’ current paralegals will remain with the firm, Ellis added.

Nelson & Galbreath specialize in residential real estate closings, working both with builders and with real estate agents.

“Between 35% and 40% of our business is focused on Realtors and helping them and their clients,” he said. “A larger portion is working as one of the preferred attorneys for homebuilders. Having a preferred attorney firm makes the logistics simpler for builders: they can drop off keys and documents in one place, knowing that the firm understands their process. We work with several homebuilders of different sizes, and we focus on tailoring our services to the needs of each builder.”

Until the firm hires an attorney to serve the Leland office, attorneys and other staff from Nelson & Galbreath’s Greenville, South Carolina office will shuttle back and forth as needed. Ellis will be among them. He is a University of North Carolina Wilmington graduate and, before attending law school, worked as a Realtor in Wilmington from 2002-2008 with Laney Real Estate, Maus, Warwick Mathews and Prudential Commercial.

Nelson & Galbreath will hold a meet-and-greet event in Brunswick Forest on May 21. In the meantime, the firm is updating its online presence and the signage for its new office.

Bringing minor league baseball to Brunswick County just got a little more complicated.

The Texas Rangers announced on Tuesday they have sold its two North Carolina minor league teams to Diamond Baseball Holdings.

The Rangers’ entertainment partner REV Entertainment has been in talks with Brunswick County and Leland officials since last year about constructing a minor league stadium and entertainment complex along U.S. 17 in Leland near Brunswick Forest.

When plans to develop the more than 1,400 acres of land into a sprawling entertainment complex with a baseball stadium as its anchor were first announced in February, it seemed likely the Rangers would move one of its two North Carolina minor league teams – the Down East Wood Ducks in Kinston or the Hickory Crawdads – to the area.

More:Brunswick County won't support major investment in baseball stadium. Here's why.

Related:With minor league baseball on hold in Leland, another Brunswick team extends its footprint

Tuesday’s news could complicate that process by adding a few extra steps to the feat. Now, REV Entertainment would need to negotiate with Diamond Baseball Holdings or another minor league parent franchise to bring a team to the county rather than simply moving one of its own teams.

Madison SanFilippo, vice president for brand and team operations for REV Entertainment, said the sale shouldn't impact the potential Leland project.

"The news announced about the two properties in North Carolina doesn’t have any impact on the proposed development project in Leland," SanFilippo said in an email Tuesday.

Diamond Baseball Holdings owns several minor league teams, many of which are associated with the Atlanta Braves. The company owns no other minor league teams in North Carolina, but has teams in Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia.

Also on Tuesday, public and private partners announced that the Kinston team would move to a to-be-constructed 3,500-seat stadium in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

This isn’t the first hiccup this project has seen. Last month, Brunswick County announced it would not financially back the project as planned. Originally, the project proposed Brunswick County would pay to construct and own the stadium that would then be leased to REV Entertainment to bring a baseball stadium and surrounding development to the site.

While the county made public its decision to not incur debt for the project, it remains in support of and in talks with Leland and REV Entertainment regarding the project.

The town of Leland is currently undergoing an economic feasibility study to determine the potential economic benefit of the development and whether it will offset the debt incurred by local governments. The unfinished study currently estimates the stadium will cost $100 million to construct, according to Brunswick County officials.

"We look forward to receiving the feasibility report findings this summer, which will help us determine next steps on the Leland project," Filippo added.

Officials from the Town of Leland were not immediately available for comment Tuesday.

Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at [email protected] or message her on Twitter @jameybcross.

LELAND, N.C. (WECT) - Emails obtained from the Town of Leland show new details about a potential development including the investment of up to $100 million on over 1,400 acres along Hwy 17 next to Brunswick Forest.

The Town of Leland is working with REV Entertainment and Brunswick County to develop “a world-class development concept with sports and entertainment as the anchor,” town officials announced Wednesday.

An email from Leland Director of Planning and Inspections Ben Andrea states that a representative with REV Entertainment and the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball organization to attract a minor league professional sports/entertainment venue to the area, and that the group is now proposing a smaller version of their Arlington, Texas development as part of the Jackeys Creek development.

A presentation from REV Entertainment outlines their model to use sports as a catalyst to spur further development.

Residents like Joey Upchurch are excited about what the possible complex could bring to the community.

“As a kid, this was our stadium right here, this ball field, we didn’t have stuff like this, we had to travel to Myrtle Beach or to Kinston or places like that,” Upchurch said.

REV could invest up to $100 million in entertainment, restaurants and hotel venues adjacent to the stadium. A timeline shows a public announcement in the first parts of 2023, a finalized conceptual design by April or May, a groundbreaking in Spring 2024 and an opening day in 2026.

“I was kind of skeptical because of you know, the growth that has happened here in the past and the infrastructure can’t keep up with something like that. But then when I really started digging into it and and learned about some of the facts, and some of the benefits that it would have to this community, man, it’s a no brainer.”

Based on notes from the town manager, the planned development will probably happen regardless of whether or not baseball stays a part of it. The baseball stadium could be a publicly owned facility that is privately operated via a lease agreement. Paying for the stadium may require a county-wide municipal bond, and a referendum for that bond could end up on the Nov. 2023 ballot if approved by the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners.

“If our taxes do raise slightly, guess what, they’re going to raise anyways down the road,” said Upchurch. “So, I’m willing to pay extra taxes if it benefits my children and their children.”

The lease revenue would offset the debt service on the bond along with the increased value created around the stadium.

Other residents have expressed concerns about traffic on that part of Hwy 17 and northern Brunswick County.

Town emails say the increase in traffic would be mitigated by roadway improvements as the development is built over time. Improvements could include interconnections with existing roadways in neighborhoods and commercial areas and additional connections to Hwy 17 and Hwy 133. These would be coordinated with the N.C. Department of Transportation and local agencies and be needed regardless of whether baseball is part of the picture.

Town officials plan on announcing more information at a press conference with REV Entertainment, Brunswick County, and Leland in late February or early March.

The date will be announced through Leland’s website and social media.

Copyright 2023 WECT. All rights reserved.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY — The Brunswick County Planning Board will consider three more planned developments when it convenes Monday. Each month, the rapidly growing county’s board typically faces a stacked agenda of rezonings and, often, proposed construction to review and sign off on.

This month the officials will consider three major development projects — two in the southern and one in the northern parts of the county. They also will tackle four rezonings, varying in size across the county.

Below is a quick look at the projects up for deliberation.

Osprey Isle near Ocean Isle Beach

Download

The largest project covers just over 157 acres. Osprey Isle, located at U.S. 17 and Plantation Drive, will consist of 81 single-family lots and 264 semi-attached lots.

The property is made up of five parcels — partly zoned for residential and also commercial low-density — owned by four different property owners in Shallotte, Wilmington, Ocean Isle Beach and Whiteville. Walter Warren, of Myrtle Beach engineer firm Thomas & Hutton, submitted the application.

The plans include 115 acres of dedicated open space — significantly over the required amount of 31 for this project — and 4.8 acres of recreational area.

The 345 lots are expected to generate just over 3,300 trips per weekday, according to a traffic study.

All homes will be built outside of the AE Flood Hazard Zone, the staff’s positive recommendation notes.

Bell Swamp Connection in Winnabow

Download

Bell Swamp Connection will consist of 90 townhomes on about 10 acres and 139 single-family lots across nearly 39 acres. It equates to an overall density of 4.7 units per acre.

Bell Swamp Connection is slated to exist on the road of the same name, near U.S. 17, and on property currently zoned as commercial low density, allowing for 13.6 units per acre. Each lot will have two driveway parking spaces, and the plans show 20 acres of dedicated open space and 2 acres of recreational space. It will add about 1,800 cars to roadways.

The main parcel for the property is owned by FEP, LLC in Wilmington, although Paramounte Engineering is seeking the planned development approval.

Anderson Tract near Calabash

Download

Just over 58 acres in Calabash are set to become the site of hundreds of townhomes.

Engineering firm Norris and Tunstall of Ash is seeking approval for Anderson Tract, a proposed development off Hickman Road. The land is zoned for up to 5.8 units per acre under medium-density residential zoning.

Originally the project was approved in September 2021 for 295 townhomes on 67 acres, the entire acreage of the parcel. The developers are back again, asking for more townhomes on less land: 336 on 58 acres, a density of 5.77 units per acre.

Two cars will be able to park in the driveway of each lot, and the drivers will generate about 1,700 trips per weekday, a traffic study estimates.

The construction will leave nearly 26.5 acres of open space and set aside 3 acres for recreational purposes.

A High Point LLC, RS Parker Development, owns the land.

Rezonings

There are also four rezonings on the agenda. Per procedure, no conditions or details are proposed. The board must simply consider whether the zoning is appropriate — based on the types of allowable uses, permitted density and more. It considers the county’s long-term vision, surrounding areas and other factors. All planning board decisions are final for rezonings unless appealed to commissioners.

Near Leland, a rezoning of 20.5 vacant acres off Chappell Loop Road could set the stage for a high-density residential project. Wilmington’s Dan Weeks H+W Design is applying for the rezoning out of neighborhood commercial. The property is owned by Sara Gibbs, whose address is in New York.

By Ash, 20 acres of a 414-acre lot off Longwood Road could switch from medium-density residential to rural residential. J. Phillip Norris is seeking the rezoning on behalf of property owner Ashton Farms, LLC.

Off Southport-Supply Road, 2.4 vacant acres near Supply could convert from high-density residential to commercial low density. Owen E. Metts is the applicant located in Wilmington. The property owner is O.A.O.A., LLC also in Wilmington, an entity registered by Metts.

Near Shallotte, 1.58 acres at 5579 Old Georgetown Rd. near Shallotte could become commercial low density, a change from its current zoning as medium-density residential. Terry Wethington is applying for the rezoning on behalf of The Electric Company and wrote in the application it would “accommodate the current use.”

The Brunswick County Planning Board meets at 6 p.m. in the David R. Sandifer building, 30 Government Center Dr. NE in Bolivia. View the agenda packet here.

Send news and comments to [email protected]

Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.