Which Side? John Baldwin vs Bath NC

Incredibly interesting article regarding a developer from the Raleigh NC area that has moved to a quaint, historic hamlet on the North Carolina coast. I am familiar with John Baldwin and his portfolio of estates in the Raleigh NC area – some of you are as well! Victoria Park in Rosemont in Wakefield Plantation? Surely that rings a bell for some of you….

While I am most definitely “for” economic stability in small towns and “keeping in local” I can’t condone changing the landscape of a location that has preserved a way of life and atmosphere for so many years. Businesses are vital for an area to retain the local workforce and keep money flowing into the local economy but at what cost?

Obviously, I have not attended any of these meetings and I am just on the outside looking in basing an initial opinion on an article. However, I do know some of the story from the Wakefield Plantation side of the equation…… just saying.

Please, take a moment and read the article – what are your thoughts? I know developers that specialize in preserving historic elements and I don’t think they would approve.

Bath fights developer for its soul - Local - The Sun News

Amazing Custom Home in Wakefield Plantation

Wakefield Plantation - HOA Too Strict? You decide.....

Well, another story has come across the wire regarding a Homeowners Association and their reign over a neighborhood. For those of you local it comes as NO surprise that we are experiencing one of the worst droughts on the record books! Those of you out of the state? Trust me - it is a daily topic of discussion among residents!

Wakefield Plantation is a 2,200 acre development in North Raleigh. It is a mixed development community that encompasses condos, townhomes, cluster homes and single family homes that range from the low $200's up to $5,000,000. Some of the community amenities include TPC golf courses, tennis courts, community pools and many other recreational facilities. Wakefield Plantation prides itself on being aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Common areas are constantly maintained, pruned and groomed.

There are restrictive covenants that the residents of Wakefield Plantation must abide by. They address many items such as what kind of fence you can install on your property, where you can park your vehicles, etc. For the most part, these restrictive covenants help the community maintain it's conformity. However.....

Wake County has started encouraging the use of rain barrels of homeowners to capture rain to then be reused for purposes such as landscaping. One current resident of Wakefield Plantation decided that rainbarrels would be a water conserving effort that he and his family could utilize to do their part during this drought. Michael Dadian purchased and installed 8 rain barrels on his property in February. Just this past Friday David learned that most of his rain barrels will need to be removed. Why?

“To maintain the visual impression, especially from the street, for our
community,” Greg Barley, with the Wakefield Plantation Homeowners Association, said of the reason behind the rain barrel limit. (to read the entire article please visit WRAL)

This puzzles me in light of a few other recent decisions that impact Wakefield Plantation such as Wakefield Plantation - Will there be new zoning? It would seem according to that decision that the purpose of re-zoning is to protect the water supply of the Neuse River at the old Burlington Mills textile plant.

While I can argue for HOAs and against HOAs, I personally think that, in light of the current drought, restrictions should be somewhat relaxed IF it is to conserve water. Here is another post that came out a few months ago regarding HOAs and water - Please file this under "You Gotta Be Kiddin' Me!"

Where do you stand on HOAs? I would love to know - again, there are great arguments both for and against.......

Conservatively shucking.....

NC Hwy 98 Road Project - How Will It Impact Wakefield Plantation

Progress is being made for the 1.5 mile extension of Hwy 98 from US1 to Thompson Mill Road. A few of the highlights of this project are:

• This project is 1.55 miles in length.
• Work involving lane closures, narrowing lanes, and/or stopping traffic will not be permitted between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• This project will include a re-alignment of Falls of the Neuse Rd and Old N.C. 98.
• A new intersection will be constructed with Old N.C. 98.
• This project will tie in with N.C. 98 just west of Thompson Mill Rd.
• Wakefield Plantation Drive: A new connection to the Bypass will be constructed away from traffic.

For specific lane closures please see the Construction Fact Sheet provided by the NCDOT.

Rocky shucking going on.....

Wakefield Plantation - Will there be new zoning?

If you live in Wakefield Plantation then you have seen the proposed re-zoning signs as well as the signs protesting it.

The City of Raleigh has proposed to rezone approximately 5,000 acres in North Raleigh which includes Wakefield Plantation, Bedford and Falls River. Why? To protect the water supply of the Neuse River at the old Burlington Mills textile plant off of Capital Blvd. The targeted area runs north-south between N.C. Highway 98 and Durant Road and east-west between Falls of Neuse Road and Capital Boulevard. It is in that area that you find some of the largest subdivision in the area. One could go so far as to say mega-subdivisions.

The impact of the propsed rezoning would include homeowners having to comply with the stormwater requirement if they wanted to add a deck or pave a driveway. Also, homeowners can capture stormwater by building rain gardens, sand filters and other devices to manage stormwater. They cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, but on the lower end for individual homeowners. There are a few more restrictions and implications tied to this proposed rezoning. If you would like to lean more The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at 222 W. Hargett St. in downtown Raleigh. For more information, go to www.raleighnc.gov/planning and click on Z-003-08 Richland Watershed.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 5

WOW - last night was a great night for seeing the lights all around town. I hit the "motherload" in this montage....trust me, you'll see it in here. Absolutely gorgeous home!

There were also quite a few other spectactors out there last night - IT WAS COLD! Great Peppermint Mocha and Hot Chocolate from Starbuck's and we were good to go....

On the way home we found a few other places that we might snap some shots of tonight........it was LATE!

As always, enjoy the lights......

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 4

Wow - we received some MUCH NEEDED rain last night! Hopefully it will continue through today. While it won't make my Open House easier (later this afternoon) we desparately need the rain!

Here are some pics from last night. I am surprised that they turned out at all given the rain, darkness (lot's of subdivision without street lights) and general operator shakiness trying to take pics, keep my assistant (8 yr old) involved, shift gears and avoid accidents because I am sitting awkwardly in the middle of an intersection! HAHA

Enjoy the pictures and I will try and get to Brier Creek Country Club area tonight. If not, it will be another area along the I-540 corridor as I make my way back from the airport to Wake Forest!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Wakefield Plantation - Do You Know What Goes On There?

I had the opportunity this past weekend to work with a wonderful couple moving from the New York area. They are very concerned about social activites and do not want to be in a neighborhood where there is nothing to do. We explored the different clubhouses at Wakefield Plantation and gathered much information on membership levels and activities.

I thought I would share some of the information for those of you that already live there and those of you that are contemplating a move there. I will not quote prices (as they are always subject to change) but will detail what each membership level entitles you to:

Charter Resident:
Membership Deposit Refundable Monthly Dues
Membership Deposit Non-refundable Monthly Dues
~ Clubhouse privileges for Member and family, including social, swim, tennis and full golf.
~ Access to TPC network of Clubs around the US.
~ Guest privileges include bringing or sending up to one foursome to the TPC at Wakefield Plantation per day.
~ Guest privileges include bringing or sending up to one foursome to any Club within the TPC Network.
~ Thirty day advance starting time reservation.
~ Special "extended family" guest fees.
~ Unlimited practice facility privileges and one locker in either the gentlemen's or ladies' locker rooms.
~ Payment option available.

Sport's Club Resident:
Initiation Fee: Monthly Dues:
~ Club privileges for member and family, including social, dining, swim and tennis.
~ Access to swim, tennis programs, including swim teams, tennis leagues and access to 9 hole golf course and fitness center.
~ Access to Clubhouse social events, such as Grill Nights, Holiday Brunches, Wine Tastings, Etc.

Social:
Initiation Fee: Monthly Dues:
~ Club privileges for member and family, including dining and social activites.
~ Access to clubhouse social events, such as Grill Nights, Holiday Brunches, Wine Tastings, etc.

I hope this helps in making your decision as to which membership is right for you! With each level there is plenty to explore in Wakefield Plantation! Let me know if I can answer any questions.

Shucking at the TPC.....

PODCASTS! PODCASTS! GET YOUR PODCASTS HERE!!!!!

Just a reminder! Please visit my podcast page

Raleigh Homes For Sale

for all of the latest podcasts on some of the greatest homes available in the Raleigh area! I will be continuosly adding homes as they are listed and updated as they go under contract. I hope you like the podcasts and if you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to pass them on.

Honestly, who thunk up the whole "podcast" name?

Just some old-fashioned shout-out shucking going on.................

Updates and Information on New Falls of Neuse Projects

I have many clients and friends in Wakefield Plantation that are curious as to the projects surrounding New Falls of Neuse Road. Progress has escalated dramatically over the road extension and that raises a few questions thoughout the neighborhood. I thought I would find as many links as I could to help answer some concerns and curiousity.

Falls of Neuse Corridor Plan

Neuse Detour is Topic of Hearing Today

Residents, Firefighters Worry over Proposed Bridge Detour

Bond Referendums

If you come across any interesting articles or news related to the project please feel free to share!

Just doing a little research shucking......