As mega-developments like Canopy, Carolina Strand, and King Tract win approval near the Columbus County line, one of Brunswick’s last rural frontiers prepares for a massive suburban shift
By BC News Staff Writer
ASH, NC — Long known for its sprawling timberlands and deep-rooted farming history, the community of Ash has suddenly become the focal point of Brunswick County’s newest development gold rush. Following a pivotal March 2026 public hearing, the Brunswick County Planning Board has moved forward with the Canopy Planned Development, a massive project that signals a permanent shift for the county’s northwestern frontier.
When combined with other recently approved “mega-projects” in the immediate vicinity, this quiet corner of the county situated directly against the Columbus County line is slated to add over 6,500 residential units and significant commercial acreage over the next decade.
The “Super-Community” Blueprint — The centerpiece of this surge, Canopy, spans approximately 987 acres off No. 5 School Road. Designed with an overall density of 3.2 dwelling units per acre, the gated community plans to offer “resort-style” living, private roads, and integrated commercial space specifically tailored to the Ash and Longwood area.
Just a few miles away, two other massive developments have been approved in the unincorporated Ash district:
Carolina Strand: Spanning nearly 600 acres off Whiteville Road (NC 130), this project was recently greenlit for 1,500 single-family homes on what was once a large-scale lumber site. King Tract: Located adjacent to Carolina Strand along NC 130, this 642-acre project is set to bring another 1,800 units to the Ash community.
Both projects are utilizing “Exceptional Design” density bonuses, allowing developers to build more homes in exchange for preserving extra open space and exceeding standard vegetative buffers.
Infrastructure and the Sewer “Catch-22” — While the units are approved on paper, a significant hurdle remains utilities. Brunswick County is currently navigating a capacity crunch that has led to a cautious approach toward new sewer line extensions.
“Planned Development approval does not constitute an authorization to construct,” county staff noted in recent filings. Developers are essentially moving forward “at-risk,” banking on the county’s multi-million-dollar wastewater plant expansions, expected to be fully online later in 2026 to provide the necessary flow for these thousands of new kitchens and bathrooms.
Traffic and Environmental Tolls — For the current residents of Ash, the concerns are more immediate. The influx of residents is expected to generate tens of thousands of new daily car trips on rural two-lane roads.
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NC 130 (Whiteville Road): This corridor is expected to see major improvements, including new turn lanes and potential signals to manage the flow from Carolina Strand and King Tract.
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No. 5 School Road: Residents at the recent hearing voiced concerns that this narrow corridor, used frequently by agricultural vehicles, cannot safely accommodate the 3,200-unit Canopy population.
Environmental advocates also point to the loss of the “natural sponges” of the region. Much of the development area consists of timberlands and “pocosins” (evergreen shrub bogs) that naturally mitigate flooding near the Waccamaw River. While developers have committed to 100-year storm event drainage systems, neighbors worry that replacing thousands of acres of trees with rooftops and asphalt will change the local water table forever.
As Ash transitions from a community of “handshake easements” and timber tracts to a suburban hub, the local identity is at a crossroads. For now, the land remains quiet, but with the Planning Board’s latest signatures, the sound of clearing saws is likely only a matter of months away.
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