HOA Boat Access Dispute Settled In Hampstead

A dispute concerning HOA boat access in the Olde Point Community has reached a settlement, with both parties agreeing to a compromise.

A Conflict Over HOA Boat Access

Harbour Village Yacht Club (HVYC) and the Olde Point Property Owners Association were in a dispute earlier this year. The yacht club was apparently restricting owners from Olde Point from accessing an area for boat landing and recreation.

The Olde Point POA even created a GoFundMe page in January to raise funds for legal fees. According to the page, many homeowners possessed deeded rights.

“Deeded water access was a feature that the selling real estate agent promoted in the listing,” Ferrell Drewry, who created the page, told local news. Drewry had no knowledge of the conflict when he first purchased a home in the community.

An Agreement in Full Swing

The Olde Point POA and HVYC have since reached an agreement, ending their dispute.

“The agreement seems to be working as expected, and we have had no negative feedback,” HVYC commodore Bob Gessner explained. “We added a kayak launch and access for pedestrians who want to view the water.”

In the same agreement, Olde Point residents would also have access to the parking lot, boat ramp, and pedestrian area. However, this came with some conditions, such as restricting the area for certain activities like swimming and fishing.

For this year, there is a $300 fee for motorized boat users, a $100 fee for non-motorized boat users, and a $50 fee for pedestrians.

Many homes are situated near the waterway and the Olde Point Country Club. The country club includes an 18-hole golf course, a restaurant, and other facilities.

“We are happy to provide access to view the ICW and south Topsail Island to our neighbors,” Gessner said. “It can be frustrating to live so close to the water and not have a place to see a dolphin go by.”