Wanchese property will not be purchased by county

Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, February 4, 2025

: One of the exhibits presented during the quasi-judicial hearing in April 2023 was a rendering of what the proposed cluster housing in Wanchese would look like. File image courtesy Pritchett & Burch, PLLC, Windsor

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“This has been a long process,” said Robert L. Woodard, chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, on Feb. 3, 2025.

Woodard was the last commissioner to speak about the controversial Wanchese development project now called The Villages at Old Wharf Road.

At the opening of the agenda item, Woodard reported on a “really, really good civil conversation” with project developer Brad Alexander. Board Vice Chairman Steve House attended the meeting and echoed Woodard’s comment. The meeting was held Jan. 20, 2025.

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Woodard announced Alexander was “not willing to sell any longer” and the board was not willing to pay $6 million for the 10 acres.

As to condemnation of the project, Woodard said “we’ve had discussions about that.”

Woodard then asked if the board has any further action they would like to take.

Commissioner Mike Burrus said “it’s not a perfect situation. It’s time to move forward.”

Commissioner Mary Ellon Ballance said “I’m glad it’s single family.”

Commissioner Rob Ross thanked three people who spoke against condemnation or any further action during public comment: Aida Havel; Duke Geraghty, government affairs director for the Outer Banks Home Builders Association; and Mitchell Bateman.

Commissioner Ervin Bateman said “we need to accept this … Let this thing go.”

Commissioner Carson Creef said “I’m a minimal government guy” and disagreed with condemnation.

At the end, Woodard comments “At this time, … this is the last conversation we will have with respects to this project.” He called on county manager Robert L. Outten to move to the next agenda item.

News of this cluster housing development came to light in 2023. At that time, the project called for 60 single family homes with multiple septic systems. The project now shows 48 single family homes with one septic system.

Alarmed, community members from Wanchese and other areas showed up at Board of Commissioners and Planning Board meetings to voice objections.

As a result of the community’s actions, Aida Havel, one of the speakers during public comments, ran down a list of achievements by the Wanchese community. The commissioners remapped the Cluster Housing Ordinance removing it from Wanchese and additional zoning districts.

In Wanchese, the community now has the Wanchese Preservation Alliance to track planning and zoning matters and other items.

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