Mark Saunders Lawsuit

The amicable settlement regarding assessment payments at the Ocean Ridge development allows all parties involved to move on. As manager of the Ocean Ridge development, Mark Saunders’ lawsuit was an “innocent mistake” regarding in-office protocol. That’s because the oversight involved a carry-over of procedures from several years prior and the payment of assessments on exempt home sites wasn’t caught in time. With an agreement now reached in the lawsuit, Mark Saunders says that he appreciates the understanding offered by the Ocean Ridge Master Association. For more information, please read the copy of the settlement below.

 

Ocean Ridge Developer and Association Reach Settlement

Mark Saunders and Association Reach Amicable Settlement

Mark Saunders, manager of the Ocean Ridge® development companies, and the Ocean Ridge Master Association, the property owners’ association for the Ocean Ridge Community, announced that they have reached an amicable settlement to resolve the litigation between them pertaining to past assessments.

The issue began in 2010, when the governance of the association was turned over to board members elected by the property owners. The community’s protective covenants called for the developer to be exempt from assessments and its funding obligations ended at the time of turnover. Unfortunately, the exemption provision was apparently overlooked, and the developer paid assessments on exempt home sites for several years until the error was discovered. “We’re confident that the payment of assessments for exempt home sites was an innocent mistake – most likely a simple carryover from prior years. We are pleased that the lawsuit is resolved and extend our gratitude to the association’s board of directors for working with us to settle the issue amicably,” said Saunders. The lawsuit was filed in Superior Court of Brunswick County, NC, last year (16 CVS 2340).

While the terms of the settlement, including the total sum paid, are confidential, the association did refund a portion of the assessments, and contributions also were received from insurance companies who were representing the parties involved. The association’s current and future budgets account for the developer’s recognized dues-exempt status.

“We have always had a cordial and productive working relationship with the association members, who are an important reason that Ocean Ridge Plantation® has thrived,” Saunders said, “and, while the lawsuit was unfortunate, it is good to get the issue resolved. We look forward to continuing to work with the association’s board of directors.”

Ocean Ridge Plantation is a residential beach and golf club community in coastal North Carolina featuring exquisitely designed homes, four championship golf courses and world-class amenities. The moderate North Carolina coastal climate and abundance of coastal activities, including an oceanfront beach club, contribute to Ocean Ridge being a perennial award-winning community. Visit www.oceanridge.com for more information.

 

Contact Information

Matthew Johnson

Ocean Ridge Plantation

mjohnson@oceanridge.com

910-287-1800

Designed and built by companies managed by developer Mark Saunders, Ocean Ridge Plantation is more than just beautiful coastal homes and world-class amenities, it’s also home to four award-winning Big Cats golf courses that feature lavish landscapes and pristine fairways.

The first of these championship-level golf courses to be built at Ocean Ridge Plantation was Lion’s Paw, which has a par 3 third hole that can make golfers feel like they’re entering a lion’s den.

The stunning hole No. 3 at Lion’s Paw is 178 yards to the pin from the white tees, but in order to get there, golfers must sail their ball over a wide lake that makes the hole as scenic as it is challenging.

The gleaming oyster shells that surround the lake add to its aesthetic beauty, which is best captured from a bird’s-eye view. When looking at Lion’s Paw from the air, the green and its surrounding sand traps form a giant lion’s paw, which helps make it one of the most photographed golf holes in the area.

Lion’s Paw No. 3 can challenge even the most experienced golfers. It allows for little margin of error and has plenty of risks throughout the hole. For those looking to take the safe approach, developer Mark Saunders recommends aiming for the area of the green that is to the left and back of the hole. However, being just a little off with your shot can still result in ending up in the bunker, especially if there’s a little wind involved.

Besides its level of difficulty and unique design, golfers also love Lion’s Paw No. 3 because of its memorable scenery. The right side of the lake is lined with majestic oak trees, and at least one of those trees is home to a bald eagle that can be seen snatching fish out of the water on occasion.

The best part about Lion’s Paw is that it’s located on the premises of Ocean Ridge Plantation, which is in the lovely confines of Sunset Beach, North Carolina. This residential golf and beach club community has luxurious custom homes, protected woodlands, and miles of trails that can be walked and biked. Its developer Mark Saunders had the highest standards in mind when designing and building this coastal community, and it shows in the overall atmosphere at Ocean Ridge.

So if you enjoy beautiful homes, top-notch amenities, and championship-level golf, you’ll love Ocean Ridge Plantation, the pride of developer Mark Saunders.

With the Mark Saunders lawsuit resolved, land developer Mark Saunders has his focus on the new homes he plans to bring to the South Brunswick Islands.

The Mark Saunders amicably settled lawsuit between the development companies and one property—Ocean Ridge Plantation—regarding the overbilling of assessment fees came to a  favorable resolution with the assistance of Mark Hamlet, their mediator.

Now that the Mark Saunders lawsuit is a thing of the past, the North Carolina land developer is ready to bring his decades of experience to his next project. Saunders has already developed an incredible reputation in the South Brunswick Islands and their mainland communities by designing and building coastal homes that are second-to-none. That’s why more than 800 families have chosen to live in homes built by Mark Saunders Luxury Homes.

Mark Saunders Luxury Homes recently introduced two new home lines—The Signature Series and the Island Series. These homes are well-designed and customized to fit each home buyer’s personal style and needs.

The Signature Series is one of the finest communities on the mainland of the South Brunswick Islands. The plans for these homes feature unique and lavish designs that are similar to that of Mark Saunders’ award-winning property Ocean Ridge Plantation. Some of the staples of these home designs include arched entryways, decorative stonework, beautiful brick finishes, and expansive front porches.

The Island Series from Mark Saunders Luxury Homes is meant for those who are specifically looking for coastal North Carolina beach homes with ocean, marsh, or waterway views. These homes have the most incredible views in the South Brunswick Islands and include ample parking, covered porches, open decks, and large gathering spaces for families to spend some quality time together. Some of the homes in this series offer inverted floor plans with the primary living areas on the upper floor of the home. This provides even more encompassing, expansive views.

While all the homes in these two new series from Mark Saunders Luxury Homes start with set plans, they quickly become individualized with Mark Saunders’ many customizable options. When it’s all said and done, customers are left with a home they love at an affordable price.

When it comes to the resolved and amicably settled Mark Saunders lawsuit, there’s little to be concerned about because of the longstanding commitment to good business practices, quality and excellence of Mark Saunders and The Coastal Companies.

The Mark Saunders lawsuit was simply a dispute over property assessment fees occurred when one of his communities, Ocean Ridge Plantation, underwent an owner’s association transition.

The outcome of the Mark Saunders lawsuit had virtually no bearing on the success of the award-winning Ocean Ridge community, and it was completely outweighed by the exemplary real estate communities that Mark Saunders has created on the southeastern coast of North Carolina.

Mark Saunders and The Coastal Companies have developed the finest coastal golf and beach communities in southeastern North Carolina for decades. One of the company’s most sought-after communities is Ocean Ridge Plantation. It is ideally located within minutes of Sunset Beach, which was recently recognized by National Geographic as one of the top beaches in the world. Ocean Ridge is a well- established community featuring an ocean front beach club and championship-level golf, as a wide array of many other world-class amenities.

When it comes to developing communities, Mark Saunders is dedicated to creating a coastal lifestyle that is second-to-none. A mediator selected for the Mark Saunders lawsuit assisted in an equitable resolution. The Coastal Companies was always committed to a fair resolution, along with high quality, excellence and an extraordinary coastal lifestyle at Ocean Ridge Plantation.

The achievements of The Coastal Companies speak for themselves.  Serving more than 4,000 property owners, and with long-standing home design and construction, real estate brokerage, vacation rental, and golf course management businesses in the area, Mark Saunders and his team pride themselves on delivering exemplary service to their owners and customers.

Since 1985, southeastern North Carolina has grown with The Coastal Companies. Mark Saunders’ development companies have helped create great good jobs in the area, employing hundreds of local residents. The Coastal Companies also helps support the southeastern North Carolina economy by being one of the largest tax revenue contributors in the county and adding to the average property value of the area with the beautiful homes it creates.

The Coastal Companies’ more than 200 employees work and live in the coastal region of North Carolina and are actively involved in the communities they serve. They pride themselves on designing and building extraordinary luxury homes and communities, and with providing unmatched, first-class customer service.