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PART I: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Overview The Harrisburg Area Land Use Plan is being created through community collaboration to define a direction for future growth and development in and around Harrisburg. It is a policy document that conveys a future vision and the steps to achieve that vision. The Plan is intended to clearly reflect the community's expectations and desires and to guide decisions of Cabarrus County staff, Harrisburg town staff, appointed and elected officials, developers and others involved in local development - related activities. More importantly, it will facilitate consistency in the decision making that affects this area, which is governed by two jurisdictions. Such decisions include those related to development proposals for properties within the study area, regulatory changes, and public infrastructure investments, as each should support the implementation of the Plan. 1.2 Planning Area Context Incorporated in 1973, Harrisburg is located in Cabarrus County adjacent to Mecklenburg County. Located along NC -49 just beyond the I -485 loop, the town is conveniently located in close proximity to several employment centers in the region, including Charlotte's center city and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and in recent years, has developed primarily as a bedroom community to Charlotte. Though much of the development that has occurred in Harrisburg has occurred in recent decades, the place has a long history with evidence of settlement as early as 1765. According to the Town, it might have been settled even earlier. By the 1850s with the introduction of the railroad, the area became known as Harris Depot. The depot was named for Robert Harris from whom the right -of- way was purchased. In 1874, with the post office taking the name of Harrisburg, the area became known as Harrisburg. In 1923, with the construction of NC -49 through its business district, development —and the town —soon oriented toward the road and reduced its dependence on the railroad. The depot closed in 1933. Planning Area Boundary Cabarrus County has seven (7) different planning areas. The Harrisburg planning area, one of the seven planning areas in Cabarrus County, includes the incorporated area of the town, the unincorporated areas of the county that could be annexed into the town, and the town's future utility service area. (Note: The future utility service area was delineated and agreed upon by Cabarrus County and the municipalities. There also are agreements between Harrisburg and other bordering municipalities that define the utility service areas.) PART I: INTRODUCTION AUGUST 2010 Attachment number 1 G -1 Page 312