Land Use Plan – 2002 - Stanly County, North Carolina

Infrastructure Issues
STANLY COUNTY
New development in the county should be focused adjacent to existing population centers
where utilities infrastructure and other services exist. As development occurs, the county
needs to plan and be ready to provide public facilities and services. Until now, Stanly
County’s compact development pattern did not necessitate the provision of considerable
services outside of the existing population centers within the county. Eventually community
facilities such as parkland and open space will need to provided to accommodate future
citizens as the county grows.
Stanly County needs to continue to provide a healthy supply of land for commercial and
industrial development. Presently the county is experiencing residential growth, however
commercial and industrial development will help ensure that the tax burden to pay for
necessary infrastructure to support the growth is not placed completely on residential
taxpayers. Further, specialized infrastructure in support of commercial and industrial
ventures—including natural gas lines, rail lines, and other infrastructure—need to be
provided for these important developments.
As the county continues to grown outside its incorporated areas, consideration will need to
be given to the establishment of parklands serving this growing population.
Infrastructure issues for Stanly County focus on transportation, utilities, and community facilities
that serve the people of Stanly County:
The need to improve Stanly County’s transportation linkage to the remainder of central North
Carolina and outside markets has consistently been identified as an issue of concern for the
county. Planned transportation improvements such as the extension of Interstate 485, the
widening of NC 24/27, NC 49, and U.S. 52, as well as other major Stanly County roadways
will bring Stanly County closer to the outside world. The county will need to embark on a
program of access management, as well as other measures, to protect these investments
from congestion. In addition, improvements to the second- and third-tier roadway system will
also be needed to provide access to individual sites throughout the county.
Coordinate utility infrastructure planning with land use planning objectives to be developed
later in the Land Use Plan development process. There has been considerable discussion
on future utility infrastructure needs.
Center future development on community facilities such as new schools, fire stations, and
similar assets. Such facilities—particularly schools—offer an excellent focus around which to
building residential neighborhoods. This will encourage less vehicle miles traveled by
bringing school-age populations nearer to their school.
Continue to invest in the Albemarle-Stanly County Airport. This asset—which is playing an
increasingly important role in the economic development activities of the county—is unique
among rural regional airports in North Carolina for the high level of services to its civilian and
military aircraft base. Approximately $50 million in new investment has been completed for
the airport or is planned. The county needs to continue to protect the airport through its
existing airport overlay district.
Community Image Issues
Community image issues were identified in the context of “what makes Stanly County a good
place to live, work, and play.” Most comments centered around the attributes associated with the
county and individual areas within it. The preservation of these attributes will require the
management of future growth. The following observations were made with respect to community
image:
Land Use Plan 5-3 6/02