2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Pitt County Government

Section One: IntroductionWhy Plan Now?Pitt County adopted its first Comprehensive Land Use Plan in 1990. Twenty years later, theCounty has experienced rapid growth with the population increasing by nearly 66,000 persons– a 55% increase. By all measures, this population growth is expected to continue well into thenext twenty years. By 2030, Pitt County’s population is projected to exceed 250,000 persons –an increase of 136% over the 1990 population (Table 1-1).Table 1-1Projected Population Growth 2010 - 2030Year Population Population Growth Percent Growth1990 108,4802000 133,798 25,318 23.34%2010 168,148 34,350 25.67%2020 212,952 44,804 26.65%2030 256,529 43,577 20.46%Source: 1990, 2000, and 2010 US Census, NC State Data Center.With increased growth comes an increased demand for housing and employmentopportunities, as well as improved transportation facilities, increased public services, andavailability of recreational opportunities. As the population grows, new businesses andcommercial establishments will be needed to provide goods and services to the burgeoningpopulation.As per the 2010 U.S. Census, the average household size in Pitt County is 2.39persons/household. If this number remains unchanged for twenty years (an unlikely scenariogiven the nationwide trend to smaller household units), approximately 40,000 new dwellingunits will be needed to meet Pitt County housing demand between 2010 and 2030 (Table 1-2).Assuming that on average a new dwelling unit will consume ½-acre of land, then residentialgrowth alone will consume over 20,000 acres of raw land in the next twenty years.Table 1-2Projected Housing Needs 2010 – 2030Average ApproximateHousehold Number of HousingSizeUnitsUnitIncreasePercentIncreaseYear Population2010 168,148 2.39 70,3552020 212,952 2.39 89,101 18,746 26.65%2030 256,529 2.39 107,334 18,233 20.46%Source: 2010 US CensusAs raw land is developed and consumed, it decreases the land available for the County’spredominant land use: agriculture. Agricultural production is not only an economic benefit tothe County, but also provides other benefits such as the rural aesthetic of farm land and openspace, as well as providing a source of fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables to thecommunity. In addition, agricultural land uses do not typically require expensive public2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan IntroductionPitt County, North Carolina 1-1