Land Use Plan – 2002 - Stanly County, North Carolina

STANLY COUNTY
considered, particularly when a given development includes a healthy mix of land uses and/or
includes community facilities such as a school.
Most of the primary growth areas for the nine cities was drawn in cooperation with
representatives from the cities. As a result, the size of the primary growth areas reflect the
specific wishes and needs of each community as well as the realities of growth and development
patterns some of these communities are already experiencing. Although there are some
exceptions, the position of the boundaries of the primary growth areas corresponds well to the
existing ETJs exercised by six of the nine incorporated cities. Albemarle and Badin do not
presently exercise an ETJs. The long-range recommendations were completed before the
incorporation of the Town of Red Cross.
In addition to encouraging growth around the nine incorporated cities, primary growth areas are
also proposed for the following unincorporated towns and crossroad settlements:
Aquadale
Endy
Finger
Frog Pond
Millingport
Misenheimer
Plyler
St. Martin
While the size of the primary growth areas for these towns is considerably smaller than those of
the incorporated cities, placing primary growth areas in these areas encourages the moderate
continuation of existing development patterns already found in these places. Also, encouraging
development in these towns and crossroad settlements, all of which are located major roadway
corridors in the county (i.e., NC 24/27, NC 73, NC 49, US 52, St. Martin Road) allows for rural
commercial development at strategic places along these important transportation roads.
It should be noted here that a portion of the primary growth areas lies within the ETJs. For
example, most of the primary growth area surrounding Norwood, Oakboro, and Richfield are
well within their respective ETJs. As such these areas are theoretically outside the Land Use
Plan study area and the jurisdiction of County Planning Commission and Board of County
Commissioners.
Secondary Growth Area
The secondary growth area includes land expected to be consumed by development in the
period beginning 10 years after the adoption of the Stanly County Land Use Plan. Development
within the secondary growth area, while encouraged in the long-range, is discouraged in the zero
to 10-year period. Once development saturates 75 percent of the land area of the primary
growth area for a specific city or town, as-of-right development in the secondary growth area
may proceed.
While similar to the primary growth area in terms of land use, development densities
recommended for this portion of the study area are lower than those of the primary growth area.
Residential development densities recommended for the secondary growth area ranges from
two to four dwelling units per acre. In some portions of the secondary growth area densities may
be even lower. This is consistent with the fact that a portion of the secondary growth area may
not be served by utilities. Further, the secondary growth area, because it is situated farther from
the center of each respective community, will not be supported by the same level of community
services as the primary growth area and existing incorporated areas.
The conservation development model is encouraged to be used in the secondary growth area.
This recognizes that a portion of the secondary growth area may be located in areas of the
county where existing natural resources, farms, or other resources are worthy of preservation.
To encourage use of the conservation development model, density bonuses should be
investigated.
Land Use Plan 6-12 6/02