Land Use Plan – 2002 - Stanly County, North Carolina

Conclusions
STANLY COUNTY
It is extremely important to note that this proposal more than likely lies outside of the 20-year
framework around which long-range recommendations contained in the Stanly County Land Use
Plan will eventually be focused. Generally, plans for a Charlotte light rail system are focusing
first on a north-south line generally following the Interstate 77 corridor with potential for
expansion to the growing areas of Union and Cabarrus Counties. Regardless, should passenger
rail service prove to be a desirable public improvement for the county, this important corridor will
need to be preserved to maintain the capability to link to the Charlotte light rail system in the
long range.
Stanly County’s transportation systems have played a key role in its historical development. This
same system will also define the future of Stanly County by focusing transportation
improvements and enhancements to transportation corridors in growing areas of the community.
Presently access to the remainder of the central North Carolina region is poor. A number of
significant transportation improvements are planned for Stanly County that will remedy this
situation and impact the county’s future. These projects include the widening of NC 24/27 from
the western county line to Albemarle in 2005 and from Albemarle eastward by 2007. Other major
improvements are planned for the U.S. 52 and NC 49 corridors. Collectively these projects will
greatly improve internal countywide transportation mobility and access to adjoining areas of the
central North Carolina region.
Stanly County’s transportation issues do no end at its borders. Presently the eastern end of
Interstate 485 is being extended northward from its present terminus at Lawyers Road in Union
County to Cabarrus County. This improvement will bring Interstate 485 to within 13 miles of the
county line on the NC 24/27 corridor. Other improvements will improve access to the north and
south as well.
Together these internal and external transportation projects will place Stanly County closer to
the juncture of regional growth from the Charlotte metropolitan region. As the completion of
these nears in the second-half of this decade, Stanly County and its communities will need to be
ready to address the growth pressures that will come with these improvements.
Utilities Analysis
Water
As with transportation infrastructure, the provision of utility service determines to a large extent
where the future growth of Stanly County will occur. The expansion of public utilities, especially
water and sewer systems, contributes significantly in predicting how and where the county will
develop. This portion of Section 4 will examine public utilities—water, sanitary sewers, electricity,
and natural gas systems—serving Stanly County. Public utilities and services are analyzed for
the County including existing areas being served, treatment capacities, along with current
demand.
Stanly County residents receive water service from public water or private wells. The analysis
contained in this section of the report focuses on public utility systems serving primarily
unincorporated areas of Stanly County. Figure 4-5 illustrates existing water lines serving the
county.
Stanly County obtains its water from the City of Albemarle. The county has 16 years left on a 40year
contract with the City of Albemarle for the provision of 3 million gallons per day (mgd) of
water. Presently the county only uses around 1.5 mgd. As a result, the county has a large
potential for expanding its current system. Water is provided by the Stanly County Utilities
Department to unincorporated areas as well as the Towns of Locust and Stanfield. Stanly
County also owns, and operates the water system for the Town of Badin through the Greater
Land Use Plan 4-11 6/02