2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Pitt County Government

Appendix A: Inventory and AnalysisHistory of Land Use Planning in Pitt CountyThe Comprehensive Land Use Plan update builds on earlier County planning efforts includingthe development of the first comprehensive land use plan in 1990. Rapid population growthduring the past decade increased interest in land use planning and in 1999 the County begantwo area planning efforts – the NC 11 North Corridor Plan and the Northwest Area Plan.1990 Comprehensive Land Use PlanIn early 1990, Pitt County adopted its first Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). Acomprehensive plan subcommittee and staff developed the 1990 CLUP over an eighteenmonthplanning period. The subcommittee held more than 20 meetings to review draftdocuments and to solicit public input.The plan was prepared to “ . . . help government leaders, landowners, citizens, andnewcomers respond to potential growth and to address land use conflicts.” At the time theplan was adopted it was recognized that the factors that were considered during theplanning process would change over time and that community needs and desires wouldalso change. To remain useful for managing physical growth and development, a land useplan must be monitored and updated periodically.Among the factors considered during the development of the 1990 CLUP were projectionsfor population growth – projections that the County has far exceeded in the past twodecades. In fact, in the 2000 U.S. Census Pitt County exceeded the 1990 populationprojections for 2010.The development of the 1990 CLUP followed a five step process – collection of backgroundinformation, identification of land use problems and issues, preparation of draft goals andobjectives, presentation of a draft plan and adoption of the plan. The plan specificallyprovided for opportunities for public review and input including a series of public meetingsin April 1989. A public forum and two public hearings were held later before the plan wasadopted.The 1990 CLUP addressed six major topic areas – growth and development, land use,transportation, community services and facilities, natural environment andimplementation and administration.NC 11 North Corridor Planning AreaA series of related events in the late 1990s led Pitt County leaders to initiate the process ofcreating a land use plan for a 12,000 acre rural area along NC 11 North between the City ofGreenville and the Town of Bethel. To resolve a critical situation with a failing wastewatertreatment system, Bethel town officials requested approval from the City of Greenville andthe Greenville Utilities Commission (GUC) to discharge untreated wastewater to the GUCcollection system for treatment.Through a memorandum of understanding, Pitt County, the Town of Bethel, the City ofGreenville, and the Greenville Utilities Commission agreed to address the various2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan Appendix A: Inventory and AnalysisPitt County, North Carolina A-1