AG 1992 12 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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are usually drafted by the developer and carry with the sale of the land, and it is ultimately up to the residents and community associations to assure they are being met. Governmental avenues include design standards with architectural and landscaping controls..~.S. Highway 29 has been cited as an area which needs to be protected from traditional strip developme~t, since it is a major route of entry for Cabarrus County. The Philip Morris facility and Charlotte Motor Speedway exhibit a high degree of design quality, and should serve as examples for the design of future developments along U.S. Highway 29. A corridor study, addressing design features of future development should be undertaken by the City, County and possibly Charlotte/Mecklenburg Planning. Ouarries Concern has been expressed regarding the existence of quarries in the study area. Quart)ring and mining is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. Each quarry must submit a reclamation plan prior to approval from the state. Reclaimed quarries provide somewhat limited development opportunities, however, many are used for recreational activities. Annexation There has been concern expressed about annexation and the changing of the character of the study area. After an area is annexed, the City is required by the North Carolina General Statutes to apply its zoning to the annexed property. Continued cooperation between City and County departments and efforts to make the zoning districts and development requirements more similar is essential. Additional study of development will continue with the G.I.S. (Geographic Information System) Based Planning Support System project, being undertaken cooperatively between the City and County, with technical assistance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. This project will be the basis for a general development plan based on a scientific assessment of environmental conditions and zoning, refined with input from the public. This plan will provide a policy guide for post-annexation administrative zonings which is consistent between jurisdictions. The western study area lies within a much larger area covered by this project. Cooperation between the County and the City of Kannapolis is also necessary in the northwest portion of the study area, where Kannapolis is in the process of extending its corporate limits. Cultural Opportunities The lack of cultural opportunities has been cited as a factor influencing quality of life. Land uses in the study area are basically either single family residential, industrial, or commercial, with few recreational or cultural facilities. Encouragement of the development of recreation and other facilities should be a priority in the development of the area particularly as part of major mixed use developments. Influence of Developers and Industry on Government The perception that industry and developers exert more influence on government activity than the residents, and that residents have no voice, has been cited as a concern. Providing for public participation is an important part of any planning process, and citizens are encouraged to actively participate in land use decisions. By state law, public hearings on land use issues must be advertised by newspaper advertisement, erection of a sign on the property, written notification to surrounding owners, or by some combination of the above. Both the County and City staff welcome comments, suggestions, and questions on land use and development issues. Both the City and County Planning and Zoning Commissions are comprised of citizens of the respective jurisdictions, appointed by the elected officials. Persons interested in serving on a Commission should express their interest to the Administrative Department of either the County or City. WESTERN AREA PLAN DRAFT 4 PAGE 24