New subdivision to bring 209 homes to Teachey

TEACHEY — The rapid growth in Wallace is a frequent topic of conversation in the area. Teachey, Wallace’s nearest neighbor, is also experiencing growth, but its mayor is advocating for a specific kind of growth.

“Most of what we have now is residential (growth)” Teachey Mayor Bobby Jones said in an interview with Duplin Journal. “That’s where we are really hoping to build and draw upon.”

Jones says the residential growth in town is happening quickly.

“Within the last year, we approved a new subdivision that’s going to bring 209 homes to Teachey,” Jones said. “Also, there are two developers that are building eight homes on one plot and sixteen on another one.”

The new subdivision is named Mill Creek Meadows. While Jones welcomes this residential growth, he wishes to avoid commercial development, fearing it could undermine the town’s community feel.

“Wallace is growing exponentially commercially. They have plans to continue that journey or path,” Jones said, adding that he wants Teachey to have a different approach.

“My vision is for us to continue to grow residentially, to keep more of that small town vibe and feel,” he said.

Jones believes the business growth next door in Wallace helps Teachey stay a residential community because of how close access to commercial establishments is to the town.

“There’s a Dollar General a mile and a half from Teachey,” Jones said. “From the border line, it’s probably less than a mile. So, from that point I just don’t see us having something like that in Teachey because you can drive just a mile and get some of the things you need. You can drive to the GoGas in two miles.”

While he acknowledges that Wallace still retains a small-town feel, Jones is concerned that commercial growth is changing the character of the town.

“The more commercially they grow, the more you get the industrial or commercial type feel, even with traffic patterns,” he added.

Jones echoes the belief of other Duplin County town leaders that the growth is coming from south of the county, especially from people now interested in getting away from the Wilmington area.

“Wilmington is busting at the seams and it has been for years,” Jones said. “I don’t know what their infrastructure plan was, or how it was developed, but it should have been done a long time ago. Their new roads should have been there ten or fifteen years ago.”

Jones believes people are moving to the area who may keep working in New Hanover County.

“People are more willing to deal with a nice commute going 70 miles an hour for 45 minutes versus 10 miles an hour for 45 minutes,” he said.

As far as the long-term prospects for Teachey, Jones hopes all the growth will remain in the residential category.

“I still want that community feel and for people to have a good place to live where you still know your neighbors,” he said. “I want a community where you don’t have transient people coming in and out of stores all the time, disrupting the traffic patterns, basically disrupting all the family atmosphere and community atmosphere. I feel like that is my vision for Teachey.”