213-acre Steele Creek site sold

A major land sale in Steele Creek could mean more homes on N.C. 49.

The multi-parcel property runs along the southern side of the highway, from Grand Palisades Parkway almost to Buster Boyd Bridge. It does not include Lake Wylie Baptist Church or Red Fez Shrine Club property.

Land records show Crescent Communities affiliate Carolina Centers sold more than 213 acres to BB Carolina Holdings on Dec. 23. The Charlotte Observer reported the more than $6 million sale is connected to Bonterra Builders, with BB Carolina a former corporate entity headed by Dean Harrell and Darren Sutton, former Bonterra owners.

A Bonterra executive told Lake Wylie Pilot on Wednesday his company wasn’t involved in the sale, and he doesn’t have specifics on what type of homes might be built or when. He was aware of the sale, but didn’t say what involvement, if any, Bonterra might have.

Elizabeth Hinson, who works at the local homes center for The Palisades, said she heard about the sale.

“It looks like it’s part of The Palisades, but it isn’t,” she said. “This is not us.”

The property comes up to the existing development, which has about 800 homes built. The Palisades will have about 2,400 homes at full build out.

The Dec. 23 agreement indicates the new parcel will adhere to development conditions at The Palisades. Hinson said she isn’t aware what type of new construction, but believes it would be in character with homes there.

“You certainly hope,” she said. “You know Bonterra does some great projects.”

Clint Myers, president at Red Fez, said his organization isn’t part of the sale.

The club, also a popular event space, can’t be sold without amending or eliminating its bylaws. Myers said club members have noticed land surveying and other activity nearby the past four to six months.

Large-scale development nearby isn’t welcomed news for the club, which relies on its serene, wooded setting on Lake Wylie’s shoreline.

“We hate to see it done that way, but things are going to be developed out of our control,” Myers said.

The club sits on more than 20 acres, with 200 or 300 yards of wooded area between the club and its property line.

“It’s not like they’re going to be building right on top of us,” Myers said.

Bonterra has built Heron Cove homes in Lake Wylie from the $400s, along with 21 lakefront homes planned in Tega Cay at Harper’s Pointe. Bonterra also has experience at Barber Rock and Walnut Creek in Indian Land.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 1:13 PM with the headline "213-acre Steele Creek site sold."