Fairfield Harbour POA Board Decides To Sell Undeveloped Land, Divides Community

The Property Owners Association board members at Fairfield Harbour have decided to sell undeveloped land. This decision has sparked controversy and tension within the community and its residents.

Board Decision to Sell Undeveloped Land

The Fairfield Harbour Property Owners Association is in Craven County, North Carolina. In a newsletter sent out for November, the board announced its controversial decision to sell undeveloped land within the community. The undeveloped area will be turned into an age-restricted community and will be sold through a bidding process.

Many community residents disagree with the decision. Some assert that the land was purchased to keep it undeveloped. These residents are not entirely against the sale but think the board should have gotten the members’ input beforehand.

According to one community resident, the property owners would like the board to pause before they make agreements regarding the community’s open spaces. They also want to be notified in writing and given time to review the decision. Moreover, they want the board to call for a membership vote.

Other People Weigh In

Homeowners and property owners associations are relatively unregulated in North Carolina. According to law professor Rick Su, the board can do what they think is fitting. He says that homeowners should know they’re signing up for regulations they do not and will not know about. They’re essentially signing up for a private government experiment.

The POA board chair, Phil Hewett, also weighed in on the discussion. He released a statement saying that the membership was notified that parts of the property may become part of the common area when they bought it. Moreover, the POA would use other parts of the property for further development.

According to Hewett, the board is now pursuing what they forecast upon purchasing the property. That is a partial development of the 385-acre parcel.

Varying Opinions from Residents

Some residents within the community are completely against the sale. According to them, the land does not need development. Maury Thompson, a community member, states the income is unnecessary. They do not need to sell the land as the community can survive as it is currently.

On the other hand, some residents agree with the board’s decision. Jackie Howard, another member of Fairfield Harbour POA, says they need to stay relevant to attract people. They must keep up with other developments and continue to improve. Howard says that, at times, it’s been very sluggish.

In addition, Julie Finlayson says they need to keep up and be a magnetic community. They have to find ways to offer extra amenities and innovate.

The board’s decision to sell undeveloped land has divided the community. Nonetheless, the POA will continue with the bidding process. Furthermore, the board president says they are trying to protect the community by restricting what can be erected on the undeveloped land. The story is still developing, and the POA will continue to offer updates as they learn more.