CAROLINA BEACH — For many, there is something to be said for towns and cities that manage to capture their charm and spirit through architecture and design, where business districts and residential districts are able to maintain their unique character simply through uniformity.
The Town of Carolina Beach is getting ready to kick off revamping its Land Use Plan which, for Councilman Steve Shuttleworth, is the perfect time for residents to have a say in what they would like to see, and maybe just as importantly, what they do not want to see.
Recently, the Town Council has heard public dissent against the aesthetics of new businesses like Dollar General and other chain stores coming to the beach town. But right now, according to Shuttleworth, there is not much Council can do. Current town regulations do not specify the aesthetics as much as residents might like to see — but that could be changed.
In an email to the rest of council, Shuttleworth shared an article from Folly Beach, S.C., where the city council is moving forward with an attempt to ban chain stores and restaurants from their city in an effort to maintain the town’s charm.
Shuttleworth made it clear that this was not something leaders in Carolina Beach have been discussing or even considering, simply something that caught his eye.
Shuttleworth said he knows that there has to be a fine line between what the town can regulate. A prime example: Town Council found itself in a legal battle with food truck owners after passing an ordinance that was deemed protectionist.
Keeping the legality of plans in mind, there are ways that the town would be able to control the types of businesses and at least put forward some aesthetic standards — if that is what the residents want.
The land use plan
The last time the town updated its Land Use Plan was more than a decade ago, and since that time, a lot has changed on the island.
Since the town’s plan is not updated annually, now is the time for residents to have their voices heard when it comes to what they would like to see in their town.
Since things like art and architecture are purely subjective, Shuttleworth said it is important for everyone who is a stakeholder in the town to have their voices heard.
He hopes to have the plan’s steering committee consist of a vibrant mixture of people to help guide the future of the town.
Creating a land use plan is not an overnight process and residents can expect to wait some time until the new plan is actually ready for approval.
The Town of Carolina Beach will host a special meeting on Nov. 8 to host the kickoff to the land use plan, as well as discuss the town’s tree ordinances. The meeting will take place at Town Hall at 3:30 p.m.
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