Jonathan Washburn, representing Big Apple RV Resort LLC, told the New Hanover County Planning Board on Dec. 4 that the family‑owned proposal would be a high‑quality RV resort on property off Stevens Church Road, with amenities including a pool, playground, store, trails and a 4.5‑acre pond intended for stormwater management. "We do not want you to turn this into your clothesline in the yard," Washburn said, adding the applicants intend to limit stays and would accept conditions to prevent the site from functioning as a mobile‑home park.

Planning staff presented the site and code context. "This is a special use permit for an RV campground in our R‑15 district," staff member Amy Dawson said, noting the Unified Development Ordinance standards (Section 4.30.4.E.2) that apply, a proposed 50‑foot tree retention buffer, and that staff estimated the project would not generate over 100 AM/PM peak‑hour trips and therefore would not trigger a traffic impact analysis at this stage.

Board members pressed the applicant on operations and technical details. A board member asked whether the on‑site dump station would connect to sewer rather than septic; Washburn confirmed the dump station is designed to connect to sewer. When asked about on‑site supervision, Washburn said he plans to live in the manager's unit and that the park would have staff on duty. On wetlands and stormwater, Washburn said impacts would be minimal and that wetlands disturbance would be "less than one‑tenth of an acre" for two road crossings; he reiterated the project will rely on the existing pond for stormwater treatment and provide erosion‑control measures.

Members of the Freeland family — Burke Friedland and Harrison Friedland — described multi‑decade ownership of the land and said the site, near I‑140 and U.S. 17, is well‑placed for travelers. Burke Friedland said the family had worked to preserve natural areas and envisioned a low‑impact layout that emphasizes tree preservation and open space.

Board feedback focused on stay limits, traffic, stormwater and visual materials for the commissioners. Several board members urged the applicant to consider a shorter length‑of‑stay cap than the 30 days Washburn described; one member suggested two weeks as a starting point for consideration. Staff and board members also recommended the applicant bring engineering experts and renderings to the Board of Commissioners' hearing to address stormwater, traffic and wetlands questions.

No action or recommendation was taken at the planning board preliminary forum. Amy Dawson reminded the applicant and the public that the matter will be heard at a quasi‑judicial hearing before the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20, 2026, and that staff will post the commissioners' staff report materials on the county development activity page prior to that meeting.