A housing trend that is growing in popularity across the nation could soon come to Brunswick County.
In July, the Brunswick County Planning Board considered and approved a text amendment to its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), a document that guides development in the county. The amendment makes way for the construction of casitas, or small house-like structures, to be built on recreational vehicle (RV) lots in outdoor RV resorts in the county.
Previously, the county's UDO allowed site-build or modular cabins to be built on some lots within an outdoor RV resort, but not on the same lot as an RV or travel trailer. The approved text amendment will allow an RV or travel trailer to have a casita built on the same lot for accessory use.
The move adds the term "casita" to the county's UDO, defines it and specifies that an RV and a casita can be located on the same lot. The amendment defines casita as "a small self-contained dwelling, typically unattached from a main home, but on the same property." The amendment also directs that the RV and casita could not be rented separately from one another.
Barry Poole, a developer who brought the text amendment proposal to the county, said he and his family have been involved in the motorcoach industry for about 25 years. For the last several years, Poole said, he's been developing motorcoach communities with lots that are sold, not rented. These communities are designed for RV living, but each lot also features a casita or camping cabin that can be used as a guest house.
"In a motorcoach, it's difficult to have guests," Poole said.
Poole said some of his previous developments have featured 150-square-foot casitas, while others have been up to 1,700 square feet. What he's planning in Brunswick County, he said, is similar to a development he built in Florida — around 850-square-foot structures, of which some is enclosed and some makes up, essentially, a porch or patio area.
Poole said at his previous developments, lots are sold and operated by a homeowners association. Having the casitas, he said, is "key to what we do."
Kirstie Dixon, planning director for Brunswick County, said this housing trend is popping up across the nation, especially in Arizona and Florida.
"It's a trend that I was aware of before and a trend that staff talked about before, but we had never been approached by anybody that wanted to do one," Dixon said. "It is a big trend."
In addition to his Florida development, Poole has also developed similar communities in North Carolina, the most recent being Olde Beau Luxury Motorcoach Resort in Roaring Gap. The community features luxury amenities, such as a clubhouse, restaurant, pickleball courts, pools, golf course, hiking trails and fishing ponds.
Brunswick County Planning Department staff said Poole's plan is to build a luxury RV resort with 850-square-foot, or so, casitas located on lots with RVs. The text amendment is just the first step in making way for such a development, Poole said.
A special-use permit, site plan and other approvals would be necessary prior to development — steps Poole said are in the works.
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The text amendment was approved unanimously by the planning board in July.
Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross.
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