CAROLINA BEACH — After more than a decade without updates, the Town of Carolina Beach has been working for the past year to revamp its Land Use Plan. What started in November of 2018 and has been led by the Ad Hoc Land Use Plan Steering Committee.
Now, the process is coming to an end.
On Thursday, Town Council and the Planning and Zoning Board will host a joint meeting (open to the public) to discuss the final updates to the plan and possibly decide to take some action.
The meeting is being held at Town Hall in Carolina Beach, 6:30 p.m., and the public is invited to attend. It is unlikely that the Town Council will approve the plan tonight, but actions taken could include sending the plan to Town Council for approval in February.
So what exactly is a land use plan and why does the town need it?
(Keep reading below)
Well, a land use plan is actually required by state law for communities in the 20 coastal counties across the state in accordance with the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA). It essentially helps guide development in the area as well as helps with the issuance of CAMA permits, which, can be tricky.
“At the local level, the CAMA LUP provides guidance for both review and
approval of individual projects, public investments or resources, and development of regulatory ordinances, and broader policy issues. Public involvement in the planning process affords residents and business owners the opportunity to help shape their coastal community by providing policies, recommendations, and support for a resilient future,” according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
A draft of the proposed plan can be found below.
CAMA LUP by Michael Praats on Scribd
