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- The Loop ZoningFYI: there was only a few of us at the rezoning meeting last wk. at the
county commissioners meeting and as you know, they past the heavier zoning.
the traffic was the biggest concern and they have determined that 47 town
homes have less traffic than 28 homes. there was another traffic crash at
market and wendover yesterday. they keep coming. with the lack of the number
of loopers at the meeting, we have to assume that people here don't think
its a problem. when the loop gets built out, we'll have to be much more
patient at the light on market. its the longest light in the county and they
said at the cc meeting that theres nothing they can do about it now, its
tied to the traffic at military and market. from my perspective, its sad to
see the lack of involvement by loop residents on some important matters. my
wish list ---- please don't litter and please use turn signals - EDZD comes to Middle SoundThe NHC County Commissioners have approved 47 town homes for the 9.9 acres at 611 Middle Sound Loop Rd.
- AnnexationSee these links about The City annexing Ogden and a related public meeting Tuesday August 10, 2010.
http://www.ci.wilmington.nc.us/Home/News/tabid/429/ItemID/508/View/Details/Default.aspx - RoundaboutJust noticed on the community spot someone asking about the construction near the school. It will be a roundabout/traffic circle just like the one down Porter’s Neck Road & the Ogden VFD road. Hopefully it will be larger since a tractor trailer tied up traffic at Porter’s Neck circle for a couple of hours one day.
If the folks in Emerald Forest think they have traffic cutting through now I’d think it will more than double once the roundabout is completed. Folks that do not want to use the circle will go out through Emerald Forest – Oysterpoint Road. Not exactly sure what roads they are off Wendover.
My only hope is they finish prior to folks dropping off their children for school or during events at the school. So much of the off road parking will be eliminated.
Marie
- middle sound road constructionIm trying to figure out what in the world they plan on doing by this middle sound loop road construction. im not sure where i could find out but if anyone know let me know. its such a inconvience as of right now..
- MSL stickersWhere can you find the MLS green auto decals?
- Confirmed Rabies Case MSLA confirmed case of a rabid raccoon and interaction with a dog occurred on May 2nd off MSL. Be careful of unusual acting animals and be sure to have your pets vaccinated for rabies.
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Our family cat Grady, disappeared 14APR10 from our home on 420 Wendover LN. If you see him, please give me a call at 910-228-9845. Grady is gray in color, has a long slender body, long hair and a long coat. - Kayak LaunchThere is supposed to be a kayak launch @ the new Middle Sound park (or whatever they name it if/when it opens) off Dunbar Rd (accessed via 2nd driveway on left?) whenever the county gets around to finishing and opening the park. It was supposed to have opened a good while ago, but then the economy / budget happened. I believe that it is county property- just no place to park right now.
- High Density on Middle SoundYes, The 'High Density Minded Planning Board' got EDZD approved for all remaining land in the County. So, what is so 'Extraordinary' about this 35 to 80 unit change? Ask all your Commissioners to explain it, because the planning board can't.
- canoe/kayak launchesI have heard that there are now or will be multiple places to launch a kayak or canoe on the loop. Can anyone shed any light on this?
- HELP! - High Density on MSLRApril 1st will be the meeting for the EDZD proposal on the 611 MSLR property (9.93 acres). We need to have a large turnout of MSLR residents to show our opposition to allow MSLR to become rezoned to a HIGH DENSITY community. The meeting will be held downtown in the Old County Courthouse Assembly Room, 24 N. 3rd St. @ 5:30pm. The letter was ONLY sent to contiguous property owners in a ploy to keep everyone else in the dark so they can pass the EDZD in our community. If you love traffic EDZD is what you want, if you love the rural community we have (what is left of it) then you should attend the meeting and become educated on this topic.
Thanks for your support - Rezone to 80units for 10acres???The 9.93 acre lot adjacent to Emerald Forrest is zoned R-15 (33units). Now, Wilshire Management Group, (WMG), has applied for redistricting it to EDZD (80 units). A notice was placed (no envelope/stamp) in my mailbox, (2/16/2010), a day before a meeting was to take place run by WMG to inform the community. They are calling it 'Middle Sound Village' at 611 Middle Sound Loop Rd.
I was wondering if anyone has heard an update on this.
I also wonder how many mailboxes actually received this informative notice.
- Lost DogOn Tues. Nov 23 our male tan hound escaped the underground fence and has not come home, When he left he had on a blue collar with a fence monitor and a name tag. His name is Lucky Bo. He is very friendly. As of Tues. had not been picked up be Animal Control. Angela, 524-7334 Robby 524-8381
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Lost on Tues. Nov. 23. See previous post - New MS homes districted to Castle Hayne ElementaryIf I am not mistaken, elementary-school aged children of anyone who builds a new home in any MS subdivision are districted to Castle Hayne Elementary as Ogden Elementary is already the biggest elementary school in NHC.
- NHCo Zoning Ordinance AmendmentIs there an organized response to the preposed zoning ordinance amendment? This involves increasing density and may very well affect the Middlesound Loop parcel that was formerly a mobile home park. Public hearing is Monday, Novembe 2nd at approximately 6:55 PM. The Loop cannot sustain any more traffic than is presently generated.
- Redistricting Of Middle Sound CommunityFor those that may be interested , as of right now The New Hanover County Board has Middle Sound Loop going to a school in Castle Hayne community which is approximately 13 miles from Middle Sound when we have two Middle School closer Being Trask and Noble. I am adamant in keeping the community of Middle Sound together and going to a closer neighborhood school. Several reasons: One, being the distance, which is 3 times greater to travel to Castle Hayne Community when they can go to Noble, which is 3.4 miles away. Secondly, the time it would take to and from school riding on a bus. Third, Castle Hayne is not our community nor our neighborhood. Fourth, and maybe not an argument to most but is for me is the history of Ogden as a community.
Ogden (Middle Sound) has an enriching history on how the community developed. I personally would like to keep it together as a community and go to a neighbor hood school. Let me give you a brief background on Middle Sound so you might see why I am so passionate about keeping Middle Sound at Noble.
Prior to World War II there were train stations that lined up and down Market Street going to New Bern; in the Middle Sound area, the station was called Seven Mile Post. Passenger service stopped prior to World War II. Ogden or referred to as Middle Sound has been around since before World War II with fewer than 15 families .Roads were made from crushed rocks and carriage and horse and maybe a few cars used the loop. Actually, the oldest house is the one on Dunbar Road/ Middle Sound which was built 1830.In 1890 a Middle Sound landowner gave an acre of land to erect a one room school which is now the current site of Ogden School. In 1950, the village of Middle Sound was officially adopted by state road commissioner. Neighborhood started developing after World War II after people left the Suburbs one being El Ogden. A large area of Queens Point was a cypress pond. There is an old cemetery tucked away in the woods at Brandywine dates back 1700. The second oldest home is located on Pages Creek built in 1899. In the 1950’s there were fewer than a dozen houses in Middles Sound. The open fields were cultivated in peanuts, sweet potatoes and vegetables gardens. In 1960’, Middle Sound grew to about 500 homes at which time Noble Middle School opened its door 1969 to accommodate this growth.
As you can see the village of Middle, Sound has been apart of this community for over 100 years and part of Noble for 40 years. The New Hanover Board even considers Middle Sound Loop a Community.
- New NeighborJust moved in to Stoneybrook. I am a Retirement Benefits Specialist and would appreciate helping you review your Life Insurance. I want to make sure you are saving money with the new rates and not paying too much on the old rates. Can also help with your IRAs and 401ks!
- High Density Zoning coming to Middle Sound?RE: Conditional Rezoning Request by Wilshire Management Group to conditionally rezone approximately 9.93 acres at 611 Middle Sound Loop Road from R-15 residential district to CD(R-10) conditional district for the purpose of increasing residential density. The site is classified as Watershed Resource Protection on the 2006 CAMA Land Classification Map. Planning Board Meeting Thursday September 3rd at the New Hanover County Courthouse (corner of third and Princess Street) at 5:30. ITEM # 2 (Z - 897)
Traffic flow into and out of Middle Sound is limited to three access paths. Two of these three access paths (Red Cedar/Hawk Road/Covil Farm Road and Oyster Lane/Darden Road/Wendover) are residential neighborhoods without sidewalks or bike paths and are barely able to handle the amounts of traffic we have at the present time. These are established residential neighborhoods which can not safely handle any additional traffic.
Ogden Elementary School is a great neighborhood school and a center point of Middle Sound. Unfortunately the location of the school creates a bottle neck which is highly susceptible to traffic overloading. The Round About, which was promised years ago and which is still not built, will not reduce the number of cars on our roads - only low density zoning will reduce the number of cars on our already overburdened streets. The Round About will distribute cars better and will make for a safer intersection but it faces the very real possibility of being shut down (during high flow periods) from overloading if large numbers of cars are backed up at the Ogden/Market Street light.
The only sustainable type of development for Middle Sound that actually decreases the number of cars on our streets is low density zoning - zoning which is already in place thanks to the efforts of Middle Sound residents in 1988. We need bike paths, sidewalks, and green space , not unsafe and congested roads resulting from this proposed high density development in Middle Sound.
Without side walks, bike paths, and adequate roadways in place before these density increases are allowed, we create dangerous neighborhoods.
In 2006 this same property was rezoned for the same developer from R 20 to R 15. Now the developer is asking to re zone from R 15 to R 10. R 20 (citizen created) zoning would have allowed 19 residential units generating 171 car trips/day. R 15 (re zoned 2006) would have allowed 25 residential units generating 225 car trips/day. R 10 (re, re zoned) will allow 33 residential units generating 297 car trips/day.
IF you live on Oyster Lane, Wendover or Hawk Road: These daily trip numbers, when multiplied over the course of a single year, mean thousands of more cars on our residential street.
The traffic likely to be generated by this rezoning request is totally contrary to our existing Middle Sound Plan and will significantly degrade Middle Sound’s existing quality of life as well as public safety.
- Looking for Plumber RecommendationI am looking for a plumber recommendation to do our sewer new connect. If anyone has gone through this and has any recommendations then please let me know. adam_shay at hotmail.com
- Thanks for your support on the issue!To all those who scorned me for my opinion on the Cannady's Marina issue...thanks for your understanding. You all must be waterfront owners....good for you! You obviously can not and will not see this from a mothers point of view...maybe I should have left the 'skipping rocks' part out....I would never allow my child to throw rocks at a boat or any other personal property...we were simply walking our dog and trying to enjoy a beautiful day. I am sorry if I upset anyone and I guess I will just have to deal with it. Once again...thanks for at least TRYING to see it from my point of view and its comforting to know that you are all my neighbors...:(
- piano lessonsShout out! My son wants to learn how to play the piano. Is there anyone on the loop road that teaches? Let me know!
- Multi-Use Path MeetingTHE TIME HAS COME ! ! ! ! DO YOU WANTA MULTI-USE PATH for Middle Sound Loop to Military Cutoff?
Let your voice be heard !
Tuesday, May 12 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Ogden Elementary School
Let's pack the school and show our support for the path!
Tell ALL of your neighbors.
The last plan for our area was developed in 1987.
A whole lot has changed out here since then.
Our county government wants our input.
Let's not let them down.
Details below:
If you have any questions, you can call a member of the Getting Connected Steering Committee...
Peg Schroeder 910-805-5807
Bret Russell 910-508-3569
Michael Bassano 910-443-5141
Adam Shay 910-617-0349
Lorann Hellens
Ed Mondello
www.gettingconnected.org
Middle Sound/Ogden...Future Directions
New Hanover County Planning Staff will be presenting an evaluation of the 1987 Middle Sound/Ogden...Future Directions Community Plan. Staff will discuss how the plan was implemented and will receive comments about changes that have occurred in the area.
Staff will also be prepared to hear what the residents wish to see in the future in Middle Sound.
Results of this meeting will help guide the department's future planning efforts.
For More Information, Contact the New Hanover County Planning Department at 798-7165 and ask to speak to either Dorothy or Sam. The Middle Sound Plan is available for review on the Planning Department web page at http://www.nhcgov.com/AgnAndDpt/PLNG/Pages/MiddleSound.aspx
- Mulit-Use PathTHE TIME HAS COME ! ! ! !
DO YOU WANTA MULTI-USE PATH for
Middle Sound Loop to Military Cutoff?
Let your voice be heard !
Tuesday, May 12, 5:30 - 7:00 PM Ogden Elementary School
Let's pack the school and show our support for the path!
Tell ALL of your neighbors. The last plan for our area was developed in 1987.
A whole lot has changed out here since then.
Our county government wants our input.
If you have any questions, you can call a member of the Getting Connected Steering Committee...
Peg Schroeder 910-805-5807 , Bret Russell 910-508-3569,
Michael Bassano 910-443-5141, Adam Shay 910-617-0349
www.gettingconnected.org
New Hanover County Planning Staff will be presenting an evaluation of the 1987 Middle Sound/Ogden...Future Directions Community Plan. Staff will discuss how the plan was implemented and will receive comments about changes that have occurred in the area.
Staff will also be prepared to hear what the residents wish to see in the future in Middle Sound.
Results of this meeting will help guide the department's future planning efforts.
For More Information, Contact the New Hanover County Planning Department at
798-7165 and ask to speak to either Dorothy or Sam. The Middle Sound Plan is available for review on the Planning Department web page at http://www.nhcgov.com/AgnAndDpt/PLNG/Pages/MiddleSound.aspx
- Lost African Grey parrotAnswers to 'Yogi.' He is gray with a red tail. Please call 256-9459 or 200-4511 if you see him.
- Lost DogLost Dog
We found this little fellow on the Loop Road this afternoon (4/26). See photo. I'm sure that he would really like to come home today. 620-1672 -
We found this little fellow on the Loop Road this afternoon (4/26). See photo. I'm sure that he would really like to come home today. 620-1672 - Enjoying the waterI live in Queen's Point. I would love to ride my bike down the road and stop off to enjoy the water. Is there anywhere you can do this?? I just want to sit and lay in the sun or just sit and relax and enjoy our neighborhood. I heard in the future a trail will be constructed for access for kayaks and canoes. Anyone else heard of this? Thanks! Happy summer.
- cat trappingsomeone on pages creek rd is trapping neighborhood, family owned cats. They are taking them to animal control, on Division Drive. It is their right to do this, by NHCounty ordinance, running at large. I feel this is inhumane and needs to be stopped. This distresses me because these cats are domesticated, inoculated with shots, and friendly.
Signed,
Distressed - StampClub/ScrapbookingInterested in joining a Stamp Club. Stampclub members meet monthly to learn new techniques and projects. There is a minimum purchase and each member gets to be a hostess one of the month's earning lots of free gift's. Great way to meet new people and make friends.
Contact me at ldsmith204@yahoo.com
- YARD SALE214 East Bedford in Queens Point. Saturday, April 11th from 8am-noon. Ladies clothes and household items. No early birds please!
- MIDDLESOUND COMMUNITY YARD SALEMiddle Sound News will be sponsoring a Middle Sound Community YARD SALE Saturday, January 31st beginning at 7am. Any and all participants are welcome.
An ad will be placed in the Star News 'announcing' the Community Sale, but individuals wanting to participate need to email their names and addresses to: becky@intracoastalrealty.com .
Flyers will be printed and posted online and delivered to each address submitted indicating all community participant locations. - Crime Prevention Meeting Update and Tips:About 40 people were in attendance Tuesday night, indicating we are ready to fight some crime! Although some thought this meeting was to provide detials about the recent B&Es, Lt. Hoehlein's presentation was to help Middle Sound residents with ways to PREVENT future crime.
The main suggestion was to develop a system for individual Community Watch per neighborhood. Each 'neighborhood captain' should report their community happenings to MiddleSoundNews.com, the hub for Community Details.
The Community Watch packets will be dropped off to me (Becky Brown) this week, so if your neighborhood is interested in one please let me know.
Other Helpful Crime Prevention Tips Include.......
*Always lock your car doors, even if parked in your garage.
*The 'MO' of the last series of incidents has been 'handle pullers'. They just go up and down the street pulling handles to see if they come across a door that is unlocked. It only takes seconds to go thru a car. *There is also a 'break and grab' if they see something of value in a car (I-Pods, cell phones, shopping bags, pocketbooks, computer bags are very appealing) they break the window, grab the item and run.
*Keep valuables in the trunk or remove from the car.
*Remove the 'valet key' from your car. That is how the vehicle was stolen from Middle Sound on November 7.
*Exterior lighting is key. Whether it be flood lights or motion lights.
*Record serial numbers for valuables with model numbers. If something is stolen these numbers can be used to check Pawn shops for pawned items.
*Stay in contact with your neighbors about out of the ordinary and pass it along.- possibly a phone tree.
*If you are going to be out of town, inform your neighbors. *Also, anyone can request a 'residential home check by NH Cty Sheriff's Dept when they will be away.
*And, always report anything to authorities that is suspicious. A lot of times this helps with pieces of the puzzle.
Thanks you for attending and Thank you to Lt. Hoehlein and the NHSD for arming us with valuable crime stopping ideas.
Becky Holt Brown - CWS RATE INCREASE NOTICE....Neighbors with CWS need to be made aware of the upcoming docket before the NC Utility commission. CWS has asked for a 270% increase in water rates.
Folks can call, fax, email or write to the state concerning this issue. A 3 page document can be sent to you.
Please spread the word.
- CAUTION....NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME ALERT!9 individual cars in Middle Sound were broken into last night. 1 was stolen and drove off the dock at Johnson’s Marina. I wanted to send this out not to alarm you, but to remind everyone that although it is not our job to “protect and serve”, as residents and neighbors we are expected to do our part to help prevent crime opportunity, and to alert authorities of suspicious activity immediately.
I believe we need to open our eyes to the fact that with change in the economy comes a change in security. Therefore, anyone with information about a crime needs to contact the local Sheriff Department, as well as inform your neighbors. Working together we may be able to prevent it from getting any worse.
Likewise, if anyone receiving this email would be interested in being a part of a New Middle Sound community Watch or Crime Prevention Committee, please let me know. You can send a blog on my Community Forum or simply email back your contact information: becky@intracoastalrealty.com .
Stay Safe and Be Alert!
Becky Holt Brown
- Proposed REDISTRICTING Maps for NHC SchoolsPlease visit the following webiste for some proposed school districting changes. http://www.nhcs.k12.nc.us/districts/redistricting/redistricting.htm
- Adopt-A-Highway Volunteers NeededHey Everyone! I have contacted the Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway program and have filled out all the paperwork except for the department's form regarding Volunteers. Basically, I need to have Twelve Adults over 18 to 'agree' to participate in the clean-up efforts 4 times per year. They require a signature from the volunteers before the paperwork can be sent in. If we have minors under 18 who wish to help, the parents have to fill out a youth participation authorization form for each of them, but they do not count towards the 12 Adult requirement. Please help me get these signatures! Middle Sound Loop Road needs this program. Our stretch would begin at the Ogden school and go 2 miles (both sides of the roadway) up to Bailey Avenue. I won't know our dates the clean-ups will be until the paperwork is processed. Send me an email to becky@intracoastalrealty.com if you are willing to help. Thanks again! Becky Brown
- Fishing Spots...Matt,
I’m Adam, my wife runs the Loop web site. She forwarded me your e-mail about fishing spots.
Pretty much all water access on the loop is controlled by private residential property or some commercial property. We have such a big tidal range in our area all the creeks you may be able to get close to would be dry at low tide and many of your better species of fish wouldn’t be up in those areas. So the answer to your question, not much to fish for off the loop. Wrightsville Beach does have the banks channel bridge you can fish off of, mostly better in the fall, (spots and trout.) You also have the pier (Johnny Mercers) to fish from at W Bch. Surf fishing is also productive in the fall off all area beaches.
If you have any kind of boat (canoe, Kayak), Pages creek offers good flounder, trout, & drum fishing. So you might be able to slip it in somewhere and fish the creek. If you need any other help, give us a shout.
Tight lines,
Adam
- News from Providence; More Crime.Saturday night , May 10 the house thru the trees from us had a peeping tom around 10pm; the man chased him but didn't catch him.
Wed, May 7, Taylor had his bike stolen from the bus stop around 1230-1 pm. We think the perp lives on the Loop near Treasure Cove
2-3 weeks ago, several larcenies of unlocked cars and a tool shed at a new house under construction..no suspects that we know of
- Stay AlertAfter reading this, some of you may think I'm crazy or just overly paranoid, but if it makes you more aware or alert of your surroundings, then I'm ok with whatever you think! I was running around 'the loop' yesterday, and noticed a white car w/a middle aged man in it driving by very slow, a little too slow for my comfort. When he passed me he put on his brake lights then went to the stop sign and paused, once again, a little too long. This could be absolutely nothing and the man could be a good citizen of our middle sound community, which is what I am hoping. But I did hear on the news this morning that a woman in Hampstead is missing after taking a walk yesterday afternoon, this morning they are still searching for her. My only hope for writing this is to make everyone more aware to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. And if anyone else has had any experiences like this one, or if you have a future one, please make everyone aware so that we can keep our neighborhood safe for us and our children.
- Litter Clean up SolutionThanks for your email. I don't know whether you have been following the various informational blog, but my assistant did contact the 'Keep America Beautiful' people and the Adopt-A-Highway program people and our section of the loop road had already been adopted by BSA Troop 237(?).
Anyway- I saw the clean-up signs posted over the weekend. If you have an interest, Middle Sound News can adopt the other side of the loop- I just need some volunteers to help with the pick-up! Let me know if you or anyone else you know would be willing to help with the area from Ogden Elementary school to Bailey Avenue (2 miles/both sides of the road).
Thanks,
Becky Holt Brown
Intracoastal Realty & Middle Sound News - Adopt-A-Highway continued...I've finally got the word from the local Adopt-A-Highway representative. We have been able to secure the portion of MSLR starting at Ogden school up to Bailey Ave (approx 2 miles/both sides of the road). Signs will be posted soon, but I need to see how many neighborhood residents would be willing to help with the clean up in this area. Currently, a Boy Scout troop has the other portion of the Loop Road and I believe this is where we've had the most comments about litter trouble. This is unfortunate, but maybe we can all work together to keep this area litter free. Who is willing to help out? Send me an message back if you or someone else you know would be willing to help. Thanks~Becky Brown
- The World's Best Kept Auto SecretThis was sent to me and I thought I'd share:
I've been driving for years, so you'd think I would've noticed the little secret on my dash that was staring me right in the face the entire time that I was behind the wheel. Well, I never noticed it, and I'll bet that you didn't either!
Quick question:
What side of your car is your gas tank on? If you're in a rental car, or a borrowed car, or any car other than your own, you more than likely have stuck your head out the window and strained your neck to see where the gas cap door was. Or worse yet, you just had to get out and walk around the car to find it.
Well, fret no more! On your fuel gauge, look at the small icon of a gas pump. The handle of the fuel pump will extend out on either the left or right side of the pump. If your tank is on the left, the handle will be on the left. If your tank is on the right, the handle will be on the right. It's that simple!
Kinda makes ya feel a little stupid, eh duckie? But just think, you're probably only one in a million now, who knows one of 'The World's Best Kept Secrets!
- Adopt-A-HighwayJust wanted to let everyone know that Becky has asked me to contact our local representative with the State DOT Adopt-A-Highway program to 'officially' Adopt the Loop Road for Litter clean-up. This means that the DOT would furnish the orange trash bags and vests that will be needed for clean ups, and we will set up and announce several times a year when the clean-ups will be. As a community we will take care of the litter on a regular basis. The representative is scheduled to visit the Loop Rd. Friday to inspect the area we'd like to Adopt. We will keep you posted. In the meantime, if you could send over the sections of the Loop Road that you think need the most attention; this could help us organize the number of people we need cover those areas. Thanks again for all the interest! If there is anything else you think needs attention for Middle Sound Loop residents, please post your thoughts.
- Litter continued...On behalf of the site sponsor, Becky Brown, would anyone be interested in participating in a 'Adopt A Highway' clean-up for a section of Middle Sound Loop Road to help ease the litter problem as a community? Please send us some feedback.
- Share Your Thoughts....Share your thoughts on the proposed Middle Sound Village... See the link from Star News
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20100731/ARTICLES/100739945
