Hampstead Board Issues '08 Wish List

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By Tyra M. Vaughn,
Staff Writer

New roads, better zoning, a new library and county offices top the list of what many Hampstead residents would like to see in the Pender County community this year.

The Greater Hampstead Homeowners Association, a 10-member executive board that represents about 4,500 residents in 10 Hampstead neighborhoods, outlined priorities the group wants the county commissioners to work on in 2008, said Chuck Wilson, association president.

"This helps the community come together to identify what we want to work on, and it lets the county commissioners know what's important to us," Wilson said. "The county commissioners can't help if they don't know what citizens want."

The group compiled a list of six priorities, including finishing up the U.S. 17 overlay district and urging DOT officials to begin construction on the Hampstead Bypass.

Wilson said the association doesn't expect the projects to be completed by the end of the year, but he would like some of them to be started.

"These are medium-term goals that must be done in increments," Wilson said.

Pender County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Jimmy Tate said several board members plan to meet with the homeowners association in coming weeks to discuss the priorities. He said the board will look at several of these items during work sessions in March when determining its own budget priorities for next year.

"I encourage all citizens to get involved with their government," Tate said. "The commissioners remain committed to doing projects that are important to GHHA and all citizens of Pender County."

Here's a rundown of the association's priorities:

Overlay Zoning District

GHHA would like an overlay district that would impose development restrictions, such as requirements regarding aesthetics, transportation and landscaping, on new residential and commercial development along the U.S. 17 corridor.

Project status: Commissioners David Williams and Norwood Blanchard appointed 13 Hampstead residents, civic leaders and government officials at its Feb. 4 board meeting to serve on the overlay district advisory task force. The group will make presentations to the planning board and board of commissioners about certain plans and policies that it thinks should be in the district.

Hampstead Bypass

The homeowners association is pushing N.C. Department of Transportation officials to accelerate the construction of the Hampstead Bypass, which would connect U.S. 17 just north of Hampstead to the Wilmington Bypass (I-140) in northern New Hanover County. The organization supports this plan rather than DOT's proposal to widen U.S. 17 to six lanes.

Project status: Money has been designated in the State Traffic Improvement Program to cover a fraction of the costs that would come from purchasing land for the bypass. But no money has been set aside in the state's long-range plan for construction.

Widening of Country Club Road

The association wants to push for widening of Country Club Road at the intersection of U.S. 17, which would relieve traffic at the busy intersection especially with several large residential and commercial developments under way.

Project status: Several Hampstead residents are talking with DOT officials about the project, Tate said.

New Library

The association wants a new and larger library in Hampstead to support the entire Topsail District. Representatives from the organization think a new facility is needed to keep up the population growth taking place on the east side of the county.

Project status: Pender County participated in a library study last year that revealed that there will be a need for new libraries in Hampstead and Rocky Point, Tate said. The county commissioners are considering hiring an architect to draw up plans for a new library, but there has been no money designated in capital expenditures this year for the project.

East Side Service Center

The association wants a new east side service center to replace the current facility on Transfer Station Road in Hampstead. A single trailer houses inspections, building review and planning, environmental affairs and social services staff members.

Project status: There are no plans to build a new service center, Tate said. The commissioners, however, are considering turning Hampstead's current library into east side offices once a new library is built.

Bike Paths and Walking Trails

As more young families move into Hampstead, the association thinks more walking and bike trails will be needed for recreation.

Project status: Commissioners have not discussed or planned for establishing any bike paths or walking trails in Hampstead.

Code Compliance Enforcement

The homeowners association has recently created a Code Compliance Task Force made up of local residents who have been trained by county officials to assist them in reviewing potential violations along U.S. 17 commercial corridor. The task force will report potential violations to the county code enforcement officer for review and follow-up action.

Project status: The county commissioners hired a part-time code enforcement officer last year and will be looking to allocate funds in this year's budget to hire a full-time person to help with this effort.

Tyra M. Vaughn: 343-2070

tyra.vaughn@starnewsonline.com