The village of Pinehurst should be allowed to proceed with its plan for the Village Green and adjacent sand parking lot, the Pinehurst Board of Adjustment ruled unanimously Thursday afternoon.

The five-member board was asked to weigh in on the matter after the village's Historic Preservation Commission rejected the original plan, saying it was incongruous with the historic district. The commission's approval was needed, since the work was to be done within the historic district. Commission members opposed the number of trees that would be removed as part of the enhancements to the Village Green as well as the size and changes to the sand parking lot.

The village appealed the commission's decision to the village Board of Adjustment. Thursday's 5-0 ruling means the Historic Preservation Commission either could approve the project as proposed or appeal the Board of Adjustment's decision to Moore County Superior Court.

PInehurst officials want the improvements done by June 2014, when Pinehurst hosts the U.S. Open and Women’s Open in back-to-back weeks.

See full details in Sunday's edition of The Pilot.