Regional Land Use Plan Development In July 2005, Sustainable Sandhills was awarded a three year grant by the United States Enivornmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) Collaborative Network for Sustianabilty (CNS) program to develop a regional land use plan to inform development and conservation decisions by the region's local governments.

A group of more than 30 local planning professionals kicked off the project in September 2005 at Aberdeen Lake Park.  The planners identified key land use types and factors.  A set of three land development uses were selected: residential, commercial and industrial development.  Additionally, a set of three conservation uses were selected: natural heritage, working farm and working forest conservation. 

Based on the factors our planners identified in our first meeting, a scorecard was developed to gather public input to six Land Suitability Models, one for each land use type.  A diverse group of more than 200 citizens from across the region filled out scorecards for each of the six categories during one of eight county workshops held between May 2006 and February 2007.  We consulted with the “experts” for detailed advice on each of the six land uses in a series of focus group meetings with experienced practitioners.  These focus groups included developers, appraisers, homebuilders, parks & recreation directors and conservation professionals.

 The eight-county GIS dataset that is our project’s foundation is a collaborative effort between the Sandhills GIS Association, the Division of Community Assistance and the NC Sandhills Conservation Partnership.  This unique regional GIS dataset is the key to all of the regional planning efforts currently underway, and is an invaluable resource for the future well-being of the Sandhills Region. 

Preliminary results of the study will be introduced at a series of four day-long walk-in workshops in June and July of 2007.  The public and elected officials will be able to talk with farmers, foresters and developers and view maps, photos and hands-on displays at their own pace.  The first workshop is scheduled for June 22 at the Cumberland County Headquarters Library on Maiden Lane in Fayetteville.  The workshop begins at 10 a.m. and will be open until 9 p.m. This event coincides with the Fourth Friday event in downtown Fayetteville where thousands of citizens are on the streets from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The EPA grant project will conclude in July of 2008.  A set of land use maps and recommendations, a web-based mapping tool and a menu of sustainable action items are some of the tools that will be developed.  Our Regional Sustainable Land Use Plan will also be incorporated into the BRAC Regional Task Force’s Comprehensive Regional Plan (scheduled for completion in January of 2009).

 More public input workshops are on tap for the months of March and April.  Please RSVP to Jon Parsons at jonparsons@sustainablesandhills.org if you plan to attend.

 Upcoming Public Input Workshops:

• Eastover Civic Association:  March 6, 9:30-10:30am, Eastover Civic Building. 
• Bladen County:  Date/Time TBD
• Robeson County: Date/Time TBD
• ampson County: Date/Time TBD