On the minds of many residents is what the Haw Creek Community Association has done to stop the proposed development at 767 New Haw Creek Road. The question below, received from a Haw Creek neighbor on 11/21, captures this concern and our response details the many actions HCCA has taken since learning that this property was going to be sold.

"How do you as representatives of our neighborhood plan to support the majority of your neighbors who are not in favor of this development? So far I have not seen any support from the Board on this matter. Thank you. KG"

Dear KG,

From the time the Haw Creek Community Association first learned this property was to be sold, we have tried to play a constructive role in ways that support the Haw Creek community.

The cover story of our newsletter from almost a year ago (Winter 2023 Newsletter 2/21/2023) tried to outline what was at stake with the sale of 767 NHC. In the article we discussed how the one sure way to protect the property was to find a buyer committed to preservation. I wish I could report the article prompted an outpouring of support but that did not happen.

Knowing the property would likely be sold to a developer, beginning in early 2023—before the property was even listed for sale—HCCA tried to recruit a buyer from Haw Creek who would be committed to preserving some or all of the property. After extensive networking and many meetings, we found just such a buyer who committed to putting the 7-acre pasture area into a conservation easement. He submitted an offer but apparently Kevin Jackson's offer was higher and was selected instead.

Upon learning Mr. Jackson's offer had been accepted, we invited him to HCCA's November 14 community meeting at the library, attended by 130+ residents. The purpose of the invitation was to learn his specific plans for the property and this was how we all learned about the 95 houses he intends to build. Otherwise, this would not have been known until the zoom meeting scheduled for next week.

As soon as we found out that Mr. Jackson intended only a one-hour zoom meeting to discuss this large-scale project, we immediately appealed to the Director of the Planning and Urban Design Dept. for an in-person public review meeting. Today we learned that the developer has now scheduled a public meeting.

I believe this history demonstrates that we have acted responsibly and tried to guide the process toward a positive outcome. The board of directors of HCCA are your neighbors who care about the future of our community. We are all volunteers giving our time and resources to try and make a positive difference in an imperfect world.

If Mr. Jackson completes the purchase of the property, as much as we may oppose it, he does have the right to develop the land. Now that we've come to this point, I believe the current role of the community association is to demand a strict and fair development review process as well as to seek opportunities to mitigate the impact of this new subdivision in ways that benefit the greater community.

Thank you for your question and interest in this important issue.

Chris Pelly, President

Haw Creek Community Association

hawcreekavl.com