The development team for the New Hanover Village Center went back to the drawing board and returned to the New Hanover Board of Supervisors with a plan that addressed most of the board's concerns at its Thursday, November 3 meeting.

            There are some key issues, however, that are still points of contention between the developer and board and are critical to a positive outcome for this settlement plan between officials and the developer, R. P. Wynstone, LLC/Select Properties.

            Ben Goldthor, representing the developer, presented the changes to the plan which covered most of the requests of the board, planning commission, and consultants, including additional landscape buffering and straightened sidewalks, a relocated bike trail, speed tables added, ensured turning radii for emergency vehicles and large trucks, more parking for the recreation area, and trail connections at townhomes.

            A chief concern was the location of hydric soils throughout the tract, and Goldthorp reported that test pits had been dug and results indicated that these soils were only located in wetlands. He also discussed fill being brought in from another project, which raised concerns with Supervisor Ross Snook. Goldthorp assured him that they had certification from the DEP.

            Goldthorp noted that they already had a tenant lined up for the grocery store. He proposed that the commercial aspect of the development and the infrastructure would be phase one.

            The second phase would be "whatever's selling," he said. He was also requesting that the individual phases would have separate pieces of financial security.

            The vagueness, though, did not appeal to all the board members. "You're noncommittal to phasing the houses," board Chair Marie Livelsberger said.

            The impasse on density continues for the 620-unit development. The supervisors appear firm in their desire for less density in the townhomes, favoring groups of three to four over the proposed five or six.

Clay Heckler, of Select Properties, stated that the groups of five or six were a reduction from groups of eight that are normally built today. He said, "It's a major step toward where you want to be."

            Goldthorp said that a reduction would not be feasible for the developer.

            Livelsberger and township manager Jamie Gwynn assured the development team that they are heading in the right direction, despite the disagreement on density and the height of the townhomes.

            In other news, the board approved the addition of 16.67 acres on Luther Road into the township's agricultural security district.

            The supervisors authorized the hiring of Matthew Bechtel as an Operator in the public works department, and Larry Keown as an Operator II in the township authority.

            The board and solicitor met in executive session before the meeting to discuss potential resolutions and litigation with R.P. Wynstone LLC.