Rocky Point has long been one of the quieter corners of Pender County: timberland, farm fields, and homes on larger lots strung along N.C. 210 and U.S. 117. A proposal now in front of the county could change that picture. Clark Builders, LLC has asked Pender County to rezone roughly 630 acres of timberland north of N.C. 210 for a single-family community called Riley’s Creek, with about 1,000 homes. If you own a home nearby, are shopping in the Rocky Point area, or are thinking about selling, here is what has happened so far and what it could mean for you.
What Is Being Proposed
According to the county’s case file for REZONE 2026-99, the site sits north of N.C. 210 between Pine Village Drive and Clarks Landing Road in Long Creek Township. Weyerhaeuser currently manages the land as timberland, and it is zoned Rural Agricultural. The applicant’s June 2026 narrative describes a conditional zoning district with primary access from N.C. 210, a large share of the land kept as green space and conservation buffers along Riley’s Creek and its tributaries, and community water access to the creek.
By the time the plan reached the Planning Board, the developer was proposing 1,023 homes, a density of about 1.6 units per acre, as reported by Port City Daily on Aug. 10, 2026. That report said the homes would be clustered across 13 sections, with more than 250 acres conserved and roughly 58 acres of stormwater ponds designed for a 50-year storm.
Where the Case Stands
The Planning Board recommended denial
On Aug. 4, 2026, the Pender County Planning Board voted 3 to 1 to recommend that commissioners deny the rezoning. Board members raised concerns about sewer infrastructure, the pace of growth, emergency services, and density. The StarNews reported on Aug. 14 that county staff estimated the project would generate about 9,300 daily trips, and that the number of homes would require either a future county sewer connection or a private on-site wastewater plant rather than individual septic tanks.
The final decision belongs to the commissioners
A Planning Board vote is a recommendation, not a final ruling. The rezoning was listed as an item on the Pender County Board of Commissioners’ Oct. 19, 2026 agenda, alongside the Sidbury Road 55+ community near Hampstead. When we checked the county’s conditional rezonings page on Oct. 30, Riley’s Creek was still listed as pending, though that page isn’t always updated right after a meeting. If you’re making a decision based on this project, check the official meeting minutes or call the planning department to confirm the outcome.
What It Could Mean for Nearby Homeowners
Large rezonings like this one tend to affect neighbors in a few predictable ways, whether the project is approved, scaled back, or denied.
- Traffic on N.C. 210. A community of this size would add meaningful traffic to a road that is still largely rural. Any approval would likely come with road improvement conditions, so watch for NCDOT and county requirements.
- Sewer and utilities. Most of the Rocky Point area relies on wells and septic. A project that brings sewer lines could open doors for future development nearby, which some owners welcome and others don’t.
- Schools and services. Residents raised questions about schools, fire, and EMS. New growth usually brings more pressure on those services before new capacity arrives.
- Character and resale. Some buyers come to Rocky Point specifically for space and privacy. Others want newer homes and amenities closer to Wilmington. A big subdivision shifts that balance, and the effect on resale depends on what you own and who your future buyer is.
Advice for Buyers in the Rocky Point Area
If you’re house hunting along N.C. 210, U.S. 117, or near I-40, ask about pending land-use cases before you write an offer. A quiet wooded lot next door may be timberland that is slated for harvest or development. Pender County posts conditional rezonings and their documents online, and the county’s GIS maps can show you who owns neighboring parcels and how they’re zoned.
It’s also worth checking flood maps carefully. Port City Daily reported that about 81 acres of the conserved land at Riley’s Creek fall within the 100-year floodplain. Creeks in this part of the county can affect nearby lots, roads, and insurance costs, so pull the FEMA flood zone for any property you’re considering and get an insurance quote early.
Advice for Sellers
If you own land or a home near the site, you don’t need to rush a decision. Buyers will ask about the proposal, so be ready to explain what you know and point them to the county’s records. Owners of larger tracts nearby may also want to understand how the county’s Imagine Pender 2050 plan and zoning treat their own land. A local agent can help you think through whether to sell now, wait, or simply plan for change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Riley’s Creek approved?
The Planning Board recommended denial in August 2026. The case was on the commissioners’ Oct. 19 agenda, and the county’s rezoning page still listed it as pending on Oct. 30. Confirm the final outcome with Pender County Planning and Community Development.
How many homes are proposed?
The developer’s application listed up to 1,140 lots. By the Aug. 4 Planning Board hearing, the plan called for 1,023 single-family homes on about 630 acres.
Where exactly is the site?
North of N.C. 210 between Pine Village Drive and Clarks Landing Road in Long Creek Township, in the Rocky Point area of southwestern Pender County.
Will it affect my property taxes?
A single rezoning doesn’t directly change your tax bill. Pender County’s property values and tax rate are set through revaluation and the annual budget.
Talk With a Local Team
Growth decisions in Pender County move fast, and they can shape what a home is worth years from now. Whether you’re buying near Rocky Point, selling in Long Creek Township, or just want to understand what’s planned around you, we’re happy to walk through it with you. Contact Aspyre Collective to talk with a team that follows Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick counties every week.
