Developer sues New Hanover County manager over Sledge Forest project

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – Housing developer Copper Builders has filed a lawsuit accusing New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet of illegally blocking the 1,800-unit Hilton Bluffs development in Sledge Forest.

The lawsuit claims the project cannot move forward without court action and argues county leadership crossed a legal line to stop the project. The company is asking a judge to remove Coudriet from any role in the development.

County planners initially approved development plans for Hilton Bluffs in March. Following community pushback over traffic congestion, Copper Builders agreed to limit access to a single entrance off Castle Hayne Road.

According to the lawsuit, Coudriet stepped in, saying the development lacked sufficient emergency response access. The developer claims Coudriet pressured the fire marshal to withdraw support and personally vetoed the project, demanding a second entrance.

The county officially revoked its original approval last month.

Copper Builders claims in the lawsuit that Coudriet overstepped his legal authority to shut down the project on his own. In a statement to WECT, the developer said it tried to find a solution for both neighbors and first responders, but the county manager’s actions left it no choice but to sue.

The lawsuit asks the court to:

• Bypass the county manager and order the county to approve the single-access plan within 30 days.
• Bar Coudriet from any further say or involvement in the project.
• Require the county to cover the developer’s legal fees and delay costs, which could ultimately come from taxpayers.

Save Sledge Forest issued the following statement regarding the lawsuit:

WECT asked New Hanover County for an interview or statement on the lawsuit’s allegations. A county spokesperson said the county does not comment on pending litigation.