Lifelong Surf City resident, former mayor, council member and planning board member Doug Medlin hopes his planned mixed-use development serves the area as an addition to the ever-growing community.

In December, the Surf City Town Council approved the rezoning of approximately 46.4 acres along N.C. 50 to allow a mixed-use development combining residential, commercial and community-serving uses.

Medlin's development, a mile west of the Surf City Publix grocery store, is expected to offer 65,000 square feet of retail space, 37,000 square feet of office space, 108 apartments and 67 townhomes.

"I feel like it will serve Hampstead, Holly Ridge, Sneads Ferry, plus Surf City, Topsail Beach, and North Topsail Beach," Medlin said. "It will serve the whole community. There will be several medical offices, and that will help a lot in this area."

Medlin also says the additional shopping opportunities that the development will afford will keep people from having to drive to Wilmington to get what they need. In addition, Medlin plans to give area residents more dining options.

"While it is in Surf City, it is off the island, so I think it will be easily accessible and provide a lot more selection, and the big thing I feel like most people want is a lot more restaurants," Medlin said.

The planned development will offer room for a number of restaurants with outside seating in courtyards with trees, according to Medlin.

Having served in local government for 36 years, Medlin said he knows that people would often complain about not having enough restaurants to choose from.

Currently, Medlin has contracts for five tenants.

Medlin pointed to the work Surf City has done regarding children's activities, including playgrounds and the skate park, and said his development would complement that progress with its playground, pool and clubhouse for apartment and townhome residents.

Between 15 and 20 acres of woodland will be preserved to divide the community from other developments and to provide a place where Medlin hopes kids will enjoy playing. He also plans to have a bike path that will carry students to the school property behind the development.

"I want to have all the amenities I can, especially for the children," Medlin said.

A traffic impact analysis was conducted during the site review meeting and met the set threshold. A multi-use path will be provided in front of the development, along N.C. 50.

"I am building this for Surf City. I have been here for 73 years, and I want something that Surf City can be proud of," Medlin said.

The aesthetics of the project are important to Medlin.

"We have seen a lot of growth, but we passed a rule on the maximum height of 48 feet, so we don't see all high rises, and the oceanfront remains open," Medlin said. "I feel like our politicians, as well as myself, planned ahead to keep it family-oriented, and I want this development to be family-oriented with a family feel."

Medlin has three children and eight grandchildren, and he said his children play a role in his work.

The family is currently voting on a name for the project, which could be either Barnacle Point or Barnacle Cove, and Medlin said they hope to break ground in January.
  In The Zone is a monthly feature focusing on specific areas throughout the region. Coming up next are Southport (June) and Mayfaire (July). For story suggestions, email [email protected].