By Helena Oliviero
THE SUN NEWS
published on Wednesday 4-12-00
OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. -- Ocean Isle Beach commissioners unanimously rejected LaDane Williamson's plans to develop
35 acres wrapping around her father's house.
LaDane Williamson wanted to build an inn, lodge and dozens of condos on the 35-acre tract. But the plan was scuttled
Tuesday by a newly elected Board of Commissioners, which says the island is too dense. The commissioners say they
want to limit new development to single-family houses
Odell Williamson, the 80-year-old founder of Ocean Isle Beach, owns the property between Clinton Street and the
Summerplace subdivision.
Ocean Isle Beach Commissioners said they turned down the project because they believe the lodge, inn and condos
make up a planned unit development. Planned unit developments allow a mix of density uses but are no longer allowed
on the island.
Current density limits building to six units per acre. The project called for about 200 units on the 35-acre tract.
LaDane Williamson Co. representatives argued they don't believe the project is a planned unit development.
LaDane Williamson Co. Vice President Kevin Fox said the project could be built without exceeding the density constraints
because the 35 acres is one lot.
``They are assuming it's subdivided, and it's not,'' Fox said.
Fox said the board's unsurprising decision was disappointing.
Ocean Isle Beach commissioners also Tuesday down-zoned the 35-acre tract to limit building to single-family homes.
The change bans inns and condos.
LaDane Williamson, a developer and a former mayor of Ocean Isle Beach, is building Ocean Isle West Destination
Resort on the western end of the island. The project, which she is developing with her brother DeCarol Williamson,
calls for 700 units on about 90 acres along the marsh and Atlantic. The proposal upset many residents who are worried
the barrier island is becoming overdeveloped.
Residents took their disapproval to the polls, electing three candidates who promised to restrict development to
single-family houses.
LaDane Williamson's project would have dwarfed a white house recently built by DeCarol Williamson's daughter Marnie
and her husband, Brad Watford, on West Third Street.
The Watfords didn't want to comment on LaDane Williamson's plans to develop the 35-acre tract.
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