Posted on 12/29/2010 9:16:33 AM PST by wheresmyusa
CONCORD, N.C. --
Cabarrus County and the Town of Harrisburg will start 2011 with a new inter-local agreement and land-use plan that takes into consideration both incorporated and unincorporated areas of the town and delays the extension of utilities to certain growth areas near Harrisburg.
Cabarrus County commissioners approved the agreement at their last meeting on Dec. 20. Harrisburg Town Council approved it in November. The agreement becomes effective Friday, Dec. 31.
The purpose of the agreement to delay the extension of utilities is to foster “fiscally responsible growth management, rural preservation, protection of farmland, preservation of natural areas, conservation, sustainable development and the impact of water and sewer utility services with its resultant likely increase the development intensity in that area,” according to the agreement.
The agreement focuses on utilities in the town’s unincorporated growth zone, also known as the extraterritorial jurisdiction. The agreement does not give Cabarrus County any more powers to control, manage or direct growth in those areas. The agreement also does not affect Harrisburg’s ability to annex within the area.
Commissioners held a public hearing prior to the vote, but no one spoke.
“Any reservations from the town,” Commissioner Chris Measmer asked following the recent public hearing.
“Some of their town council folks have been participating in the process, which helped to move the process along as well as the vote,” said County Planning and Zoning Manager Susie Morris. “There really weren’t that many questions.”
Commissioner Vice Chairman Liz Poole made the motion to approve the agreement.
Commissioner Bob Carruth seconded the motion, which was adopted unanimously by the board.
The inter-local agreement negotiated between the two government bodies delays utility extensions in the southeastern quadrant of the land use planning area in the future.
Area 2, which is located south of Rocky River Road and west of Hickory Ridge Road and extends south to Lower Rocky River Road, is delayed for a minimum of three years. Area 1, which is located south of Rocky River Road and east of Hickory Ridge Road south to Lower Rocky River Road is delayed for a minimum of five years, according to the agreement.
The Town of Harrisburg adopted the agreement on Nov. 8. The agreement will be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds.
“We have been working on this project for approximately 18 months,” Morris said. “We had excellent participation in this plan and are happy to be moving forward with it.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.