2015/11/16 RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE HARNETT COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE GROWTH PLANw Harnett
C O U N T Y
�ARwETV6 LINTY u .harnett.org
NORTH CAROLINA
A RESOLU'T'ION TO ADOPT THE
HARNF.,TT COUNTY COMPREFIENSIVE GROWTH PLAN
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Harnett County have previously adopted multiple
Ordinances and documents for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of
the county residents; and
WHEREAS, this Plan was adopted under authority granted by the General Assembly of the State
of North Carolina. particularly G.S. 153A-340; and
WHEREAS, the UDO contains provisions for amending said ordinance and those provisions have
been followed; and
WHEREAS, Harnett County staff has made the draft Plan available to the public and solicited
comment from the same through general public information sessions, stakeholder groups, and
committees; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF
HARNETT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA hereby adopts the "Grow Harnett Count}'
Comprehensive Growth Plan as indicated in 'Attachment".
"Attachment" is filed with the in the Clerk to the Board's Office.
Duly adopted this 16'h day of November, 2015 and effective upon adoption.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
strong roots • new growth
ATTACHMENT
R01A
COUNTY
.............................
COMPREHENSIVE
GROWTH PLAN 2015
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
............................................................................
Thank you to all the organizations and individuals who committed their time, insight, and energy to this
effort. This plan is the result of the seamless coordination among County staff, the advisory committee
and the consultant team. Their efforts leveraged the ideas gathered through a public engagement
strategy process into a collection of goals and recommendations that will help Grow Harnett County.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
COUNTY COMMISSION
Ronnie Autry - City of Dunn, City Manager
Jim Burgin - Chairman
Greg Burns - NCDOT, District 2 Engineer
C. Gordon Springle - Vice Chairman
Kenny Cole - Town of Coats, Town Manager
Joe Miller
Kacy Cook - North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission,
Barbara McKoy
Wildlife Biologist
Abe Elmore
Britt Davis - Campbell University, Vice President of Institutional
Matt Talbott, Planner I
Advancement
PLANNING BOARD
Carl Davis - Harnett County Park and Recreation, Director
Jay Smith - Chairman
Jim Dougherty - Regional Land Use Advisory Commission
Kathy Wood - Vice Chairman
Richard Douglas - Town of Erwin, Town Manager
Everett Blake
Tyrone Fisher - Harnett County Cooperative Extension, Director
William Elmore
Richie Hines - NCDOT, District 2 Engineer
Chris Nystrom
Mike Jones - Harnett County Health, Vice President, Support
Carnell Robinson
Services
Rachael Ray -Webb
Jon Matthews - Central Carolina Community College, Associate
Provost
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Jimmy McCormick - Western Harnett Industrial Park Board, Member
Joseph Jeffries, County Manager
Glenn McFadden - Harnett County Public Utilities
Mark Locklear, Planning Services Director
Leanne Nance - Research Triangle Research Partnership, Executive
Nick Dula, Economic Development Director
Vice President
Jay Sikes, Manager of Planning Services
Rev. Ben Pierce - Baptist Grove Church, Pastor
Landon Chandler, Senior Planner
Coley Price - Town of Angier, Town Manager
Matt Talbott, Planner I
Jason Price - Jason Price Construction, Owner
Brian Haney, Public Information Officer
Glen Prilliman - Fort Bragg, Garrison Commander
Jim Roberts - Campbell University, Vice President for Business and
CONSULTANT TEAM
Treasurer
Meg Nealon, LandDesign
Andy Ruhland - Rohl Tech, Owner
Kate Pearce, LandDesign
Bill Summers - Town of Lillington, Town Manager
Jake Petrosky, LandDesign
Johnson Tilghman - Harnett Forward Together Committee, Chairman
Dale Stewart, LandDesign
Scott Tripp - Bank Of America, Bank Of America Chair
Teb Abernathy, Economic Leadership
Steve Ward - Harnett County Public Utilities
Sara Casey, Economic Leadership
Carly Abernathy, Economic Leadership
CONTENTS
....................................................................
1. GROW HARNETT COUNTY .................. 1
Introduction 2
Plan Development 4
Public Involvement 7
2. ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES .................9
64
Introduction
10
Land Use
11
Economic Development
12
Natural Resources and Parks
14
Transportation
16
Utilities
17
3. HARNETT COUNTY'S FUTURE..............19
Development of the Future Land Use Plan 20
Future Land Use Plan 22
4 RECOMMENDATIONS .....................27
Land Use 28
Economic Development 36
Natural Resource and Parks 42
Transportation 50
Utilities 56
S. IMPLEMENTATION ACTION PLAN ........... 62
6. APPENDIX ..............................
64
Supporting Maps
66
Scenario Planning
69
Slate of County
72
F- 0 ,,/ I j / - I F -j -
Comprehensive Growth Plan 1
INTRODUCTION
®........................................................................................
Harnett County is at an exciting and critical point in its growth and development. Growing from a
population of just 68,000 in 1990, to a 2014 population estimate of 125,717 residents, the County has
evolved from a rural, agricultural community to an increasingly diverse area that is influenced by both
the Research Triangle and Fort Bragg regions of North Carolina.
The most recent population figures indicate that Harnett's growth will continue to outpace regional, state
and national rates. Anticipated growth is expected to increase the County population by 46% by 2040.
With so much future growth projected, several questions arise about the future of Harnett County.
Where will people live, work and
shop? What steps can the County
take to ensure quality development?
How will growth impact the region's
resources? Can the existing systems
of infrastructure support additional
people, housing, jobs and cars?
County leaders recognize that these
are all important issues that deserve
careful thought. This plan will help
the community answer some of these
questions and keep Harnett County on
a path to proactively manage growth
in a way that results in a stronger, more
prosperous community.
The projected population and
need for additional jobs, shopping
options and services will result in
significant development, land use,
and transportation impacts on the
county. For these, as well as many
other reasons, the County decided to
proactively address the direction of
growth through the comprehensive
planning process.
2 : Grow Harnett County
FIGURE] ESTIMATED AND PROJECTED GROWTH
Estimated and Projected Growth
250.000
200,000 182,889
168,712
138.799 ♦�
i
150,000 ®.
24,987
115,789 i
91,393
100,000
68,030
*00000,
50,000
0
1990 2000 2010 2013 2020 2030 2040
Source: NC Olhce of Sate Budget and Management Prolecions,
US Census Bureau
........................................................................................® i
i
MAP I: STUDY AREA DID YOU KNOW?
From 2010-2014, Harnett i
Harnett Coun
was the third-fastest-
1 .
b „ - �.' �' �.. - ` ' �' •'- growing County in North
County Boundaries- Ya Carolina,
CARRBORO
Municipal Boundaries I. DURHAM \ Source. NC Office or State Budget
A IN c•e ' CHAPEL Is,
Parks u N T Y HILL. < _ and Management
O Lakes
1 y DU RMrAM J L _` I" i
/ COUNTY �
}�.' 1 1 •
RESEARCH, A
1 r TRIANyLE'PARK^4 LY RALEIGH �• ,
i
MORRISVICLE'I
i r s KNIGHTDALE�
rs �� �xtj i L Lf J i ARV t�•r. �� Y.ErmEu.
I
wrtseoRo I >/1, i APEX e rf �•:.�•� o' i.5
r �
i T `j
H A T H A M (! Y�1--4 ' � ..)Y -GARNER- AawE i
i C O U N T Y �'� ~ _ I' .: LODGE
T. • ///
Y / CLAYTON
,t
INA N E /_ I
MILLS MILLS
_ Lee
C U N T Y ANGERS ' J O H N 5 T O IN
sANFORD ,, _ C D u N T, Y
STATE PARK gAYEROCK SMITHFIELD
I / vas
YI ( LALINGTON TS BENSON
00A I-
M A R'N•E T T I '�
MOORE' CO U N TY -
C O or Y `� w '
VMISPERING "^u �✓ , ��,�' _ ��
PINES � .�./y � /`'�� _i . • - - - I
- T r -
SPRING
SOUTHERN LAKE
PINES ' C U M a E R'LA N D
-COU N i Y/ ,C L
Comprehensive Crowth Plan : 3
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
0........................................................................................
PLAN PURPOSE
Grow Harnett County is the county's planning effort to create a comprehensive growth plan to
guide development of the county to desired community outcomes.
A comprehensive growth plan is best described as
a guide to the county's future. It informs current
and future decision makers on where they are now
where they want to go, how they intend to get
there, and who will help them along the way.
It is a policy document that defines a direction
forward so that public investment decisions can
be better informed and result in opportunities that
will improve Harnett County's quality of life and
competitive position in the region, and potentially
stimulate subsequent private -sector investment.
The plan presents a clear vision for the future of
Harnett County and outlines strategies so that the
public and private sectors can jointly implement
FIGURE 2: FIVE FOCUS AREAS
4 : Grow Harnett County
the plan. It should be consulted regularly to ensure
conformity of land use decisions and infrastructure
planning and should be updated and revised
periodically to ensure currency.
As illustrated in Figure 2, Grow Harnett County
focuses on five interrelated focus areas: land
use, economic development, natural resources,
transportation and utilities.
This plan should be amended as needed and
updated every 5-8 years to ensure it continues to
address current needs and represent the vision for
Harnett County. Amendments follow the normal
procedures for land use plan adoption
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT UTILITIES
LAND USE
CD
r4� &�A
a
NATURAL
RESOURCES ` TRANSPORTATION
........................................................................................
PREVIOUS PLANNING EFFORTS
Harnett has a long-standing tradition of preparing plans to
help guide growth and development decision-making in the
community. Each of these previous efforts resulted in a set of
recommendations that provided the County with a decision-
making framework, and also helped inform the development
of this Growth Plan. It is the next step to ensure that, as
Harnett County grows, it continues to be defined by the
values that make it a unique, inviting and prosperous place to
live and work.
FIGURE 3: PREVIOUS PLANNING EFFOR IS TIMELINE
Harnett County
Land Use Plan
2000 2001
Working Lands
Protection Plan
This process allowed many departments and stakeholders
to come together and discuss how the actions of disparate
entities will and can shape the future of Harnett County. At
its core, the Plan will function as an update to the existing
Harnett County Land Use Plan, originally adopted in 1999.
In addition, it builds on previous planning efforts and aligns
individual departmental programs and serves as the general
plan for the development of and investment by the County.
Parks and
Recreation i
Master Plan
2004
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
1
Neill's Creek
Land Use Study
r • r �IH�F�.Tt[i7
Wastewater
Master Plan
2011 2012 2013
Harnett County
Comprehensive
Transportation Plan
Regional Growth
Management
Strategy for the
Fort Bragg Region
2014 2015
Grow Harnett
County
Comprehensive Growth Plan 5
A Grow Harnett County was informed by public input from a variety of sources including workshops, stakeholder interviews and online participation.
THE FIVE PHASES
The process to create Grow Harnett County was divided into
five phases. The first phase focused on project initiation tasks
such as data collection, a review of existing plans, and studies
and a kick-off meeting and study area tour. During Phase
Two, the consultant team inventoried existing conditions
in the study area to provide an overview of issues and
opportunities to be considered in subsequent phases. During
Phase Three, the Plan Development Phase, alternative land
FIGURE 4: THE PLANNING PROCESS
THE PLANNING PROCESS
use scenarios supported by illustrations and imagery were
developed. Based on the results of the previous phases, a
set of recommendations and implementation strategies that
support a preferred scenario were developed during Phase
Four. The final phase of the process consisted of merging all
plan components into a single comprehensive document. This
report is the deliverable of this final phase of work.
Project
Inventory and
Plan
'Recommendations
Plan
Initiation
Assessment
Development
and Strategies
Documentation
Data collection, review of
Assessment of current
Development of future
Creation of policies and
Collection of plan
existing plans &studies,
and emerging conditions,
land use concepts with
action steps to realize the
components Into a final
kick-off meeting, stuoy
and identification of
supporting illustrations
desired Future Land Use
plan report document to
area tour
issues and opportunities
and imagery
Plan
be presented for adoption
6 : Grow Harnett County
IM
Fla,
VI
N R3
�^+�'�.''. v , rO� '� `
wl, -
Tili
ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES
e........................................................................................
INTRODUCTION
Harnett County has experienced exceptional growth over the past two decades. From a
population of 68,000 in 1990 to an estimate of 125,717 in 2014, Harnett grew by 85%.
With this growth come a variety of opportunities
and challenges. Continued population growth
demands more housing. Additional households
will boost retail spending potential in the County
and drive commercial development. In addition,
there will be demand for more community
services such as schools, parks, and recreation
facilities. New facilities for police, fire, and EMS
will also be required to adequately serve the
area. Similarly, infrastructure improvements will
be needed to manage the demand placed on
transportation and utility systems.
In order to pay for all of these community services
and facilities, Harnett needs to diversify its tax
base. The majority portion of Harnett's tax base
is supported by residential property taxes. Over
time, this imbalance will'result in costs that
exceed availablg funding, and meeting the needs
of the residents will become increasingly difficult.
Costs incurred to meet the demands of existing
and future residents can be partially offset
through tax revenue generated by nonresidential
development. County leaders know that for
♦ Harnett County Courthouse.
10 : Grow Harnett County
Harnett to capitalize on these opportunities, and
maintain its appeal, it must diversify its tax base
and become a destination for employers and
retailers.
In addition, capitalizing on and protecting the
assets that make Harnett County unique are
equally as important. Ensuring continued viability
of military operations, protecting water quality
in the Cape Fear River to ensure the long-term
viability of our water supply, providing recreation
opportunities for local citizens and regional
tourists, and maintaining the scenic, agricultural
nature of rural areas in the County will all be
critical to ensuring that the quality of life is
preserved and enhanced in coming years.
The following pages summarize the main issues
and opportunities relative to the five focus areas
of the planning effort. A full report of the County's
existing conditions can be found in the State of
the County document found in the Appendix of
this report.
♦ Cape Fear River.
....................................................................................... p
LAND USE
A historically decentralized, auto -dependent growth pattern
has led to increased traffic, high costs for infrastructure, and
impacts on agricultural lands. Directing growth to locations
appropriate for residential development that are easily served
by infrastructure and have access to jobs and services, while
limiting impacts on natural resources and agriculture, will be
key to the future of Harnett County. Forested and agricultural
lands contribute to the rural character and scenic beauty
that contributes to the quality of life in the county. In addition,
agriculture contributes millions to the local economy and
forests protect water quality and harbor rare and endangered
species. This saves water filtration costs and indirectly
supports military operations that were once hampered
by restrictions imposed due to waning populations of the
endangered red cockaded woodpecker.
MAP 2: EXISTING LAND USE MAP
Identifying areas ideal for commercial, mixed use, and
industrial development will be critical to increasing the tax
base. Presently commercial, office and industrial development
account for just 3% of the land area of the county, yet they
account for over l0% of the tax value in the county. Increasing
the number of jobs and shopping options inside the county
can allow residents to work and shop in the county as well as
increase the tax base. This can help keep residential property
taxes and infrastructure fees and help pay for services such
as schools and parks. On the opposite side of the spectrum,
some low value residential housing types actually cost the
County more in services than the property taxes that are
contributed. This shows that different land uses have different
fiscal impacts. Considerations of long term fiscal impact
should factor into land use decisions in the future.
EXISTING V.NDND USE 1 V1p15)
ori..:,. � .%y �'.e-. � Ms"i�n�. ♦ .mow
Foran ,s...tx. � 1f ��^��•. \,.. �. FI � � -.. i--�-�.._
xMF.ps b.F.., / �.'T� �• ;� .r ,i✓� it °.
cwe.cu` .K ✓ t r r.oi � �. � `r
CF. n* exu 5'�\ ^� 5/'a ♦� o.' /, �. der ����.L � �i . a �. .
C=I
x.x,,,,.�•....,,,,%, , / F t �� y\ t / a tt t \' ,.--�. �i w �U.
11 2r,
r.3s� i^O vn r i a4�yt n ` it
)L ' )l \ *'BSSr i
-'+i+ r—�'�. � /�e.:l 1 �•1 t \ est~ % � °�'i` � i is •'f[,I_ .l i
// o ! t, `c c �. •. ,rte . z.
\ J ♦ A`, `a�.-] �bF.20.Fp � i� `�/� . i ✓I'� �5„ V'i�^i4 � _....o �'� � � 1! � /! z,
� � �r �•�e(.1,1�-Fy;,r„i'�j, �t. C %C. i)�.0 � -aF- `a � 'n�4 '-� t�-
"� •'art ����`[ �> '�`. � i�t�'Y � I y-'. � L --EI �F
i
Comprehensive Growth Plan 11
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Harnett County's current economic conditions are being
shaped by global trends that are rapidly changing the
competitive landscape. Urbanization is a significant trend in
NC and around the world. Today more than 90 percent of
the country's GDP, and 86 percent of the jobs, are located
in urban areas, with more growth happening in larger
communities that offer new 21st century infrastructure
such as commercial airports, research universities and large
hospitals. Educated workers, especially younger workers, are
more attracted to an urban lifestyle. Over the past 30 years
North Carolina has transitioned from 48 percent urban to 66
percent urban, and the increase is accelerating.
Harnett County has only 44 percent of its population living
in the urban areas of the county. Dunn, the largest Harnett
County municipality is the 88th largest in North Carolina and
is about half the size of the southern Wake County cities of
Apex, Holly Springs, Garner and Fuquay-Varina. Four of North
Carolina's largest cities, #2 Raleigh (425,424), #4 Durham
FIGURES RETAIL LEAKAGE
(241,174), #6 Fayetteville (210,468) and #7 Cary (144,671) are
within very close proximity to Harnett County and create an
attractive draw for younger, more educated workers.
I
Today, a dense concentration of educated and skilled
labor is often the deciding factor in business locations
and expansions. Having citizens with the right skills is a
prerequisite for most places to successfully compete. Smaller
places are at a disadvantage due to limited concentrations
of talent, but can have a competitive advantage if they can
adjust education and training resources more quickly to meet
market demands.
Finding workers with the right skills is one of businesses' top
priorities. The talent bar is rising. The types of skills needed
and the types of jobs being created are different than they
were in the past and they will be different in the future. A
recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report concluded that
despite millions of people unemployed in America, businesses
In retail, leakage occurs when members of a community spend money outside that community or when money spent inside that community is
transferred outside the community. Harnett County loses potential sales taxes when retail leakage occurs. Retail leakage figures are significant
and show that there is latent demand in many categories. Identifying areas for future retail and other non-residential, employment bearing uses is
important to the fiscal future of the County.
General merchandise Furniture and home stores Electronics and
stores appliance stores
Clothing & apparel
Stores
12 . Grow Harnett County
Motor vehicle
and parts dealers
Sporting goods, hobby,
musical instrument and ,
book stores
Source: Economic Leadership estimates based on Economic modeling specialists international (20is) and US Bureau of Economic Analysis (2014)
had millions of job openings with 50 percent saying that they
cannot find the talent they need. While Harnett County's
educational attainment levels for higher education are below
average compared to its neighbors, its high school graduation
rates are comparable and with a strong effort at specific skill
training, the workforce can effectively compete for jobs. The
key will be a strong partnership with the Central Carolina
Community College and Campbell University.
Shifting sector growth is impacting available jobs.
Manufacturing jobs, the foundation for good jobs in many
North Carolina counties, have been reduced dramatically by
globalization and especially by technology advancements.
Automation and efficiencies have eliminated the need for
many workers in many sectors. Although there is continued
consternation about the loss in manufacturing in the United
States, the manufacturing share of national GDP has remained
constant for decades, while the number of workers needed to
produce the products has dropped significantly. In the past,
manufacturing has provided important economic activity and
jobs to Harnett County.
The number of in -county jobs has stagnated since 2000, with
only 147 more jobs in 2014 than in 2000, despite population
growth of over 33,000 during that time. In the same time
period, manufacturing jobs in the county have dropped from
4,184 to 1,491. Wage and income levels for Harnett residents
are below neighboring counties.
Jobs, wages and wealth are moving to the extremes. Job
growth since the end of the recession has been more
concentrated in lower wage service sectors such as food
preparation, administration and sales, and also in highly
skilled, highly educated sectors such as business, scientific
and professional services. Currently there are too few people,
with the specific skills that are in high demand, creating a
supply -demand market that favors the employee and is
driving up the costs of finding highly -qualified labor and also
the wages of those hired.
At the same time, too many people, with limited (or in low
demand) skills, are creating a supply -demand market that
favors the employer, stagnating the wages paid to low skilled
labor and increasing the skill level of those that get hired. One
current result is a shrinking middle class. To combat this trend
within Harnett County, educational attainment levels need
to rise and more citizens need to be trained for in -demand
middle skill jobs.
Fort Bragg has been a major economic influence in the past
decade. It is the largest military installation in the state with
nearly 24,000 active duty military employed on base. Each
year, billions of dollars are contributed to the local economy
from military payrolls and other spending. Many military
families choose to live in southwestern Harnett County due to
the exceptional quality of life the area provides. Increasingly
growth pressures are also coming from the north, as people
desire to locate there and commute to employment centers of
Raleigh, the Research Triangle Park and Holly Springs. No one
can know for sure, but Federal government austerity could
also have a significant dampening impact on growth at Fort
Bragg. Over the next decade, the United States military will
be challenged by budget limitations, but will also face major
transformations due to rapid changes in warfare technology.
Comprehensive Growth Plan 13
NATURAL RESOURCES AND PARKS
Harnett County's natural resources and parks are among its
most valuable assets. Farms and forests contribute $300
million in value added income annually. The Cape Fear River
provides a source of drinking water for the region and when
combined with the Upper Little River, Raven Rock State Park
and Anderson Creek Park, forms a network of recreation
opportunities and open spaces that are unparalleled in the
Triangle and Fort Bragg regions. Undeveloped lands north of
Fort Bragg are critical to training operations. The Sandhills
supports one of the best remaining examples of the rare
and diverse longleaf pine ecosystems which supports the
only population of red -cockaded woodpeckers that has
met its recovery goal. Rivers and floodplain forests serve as
habitat corridors and offer recreational opportunities such as
hiking, camping, nature photography, bird watching, boating,
hunting, and fishing.
As the population increases, there is growing demand for
passive recreational facilities, including greenways, nature
preserves and active facilities, including sports fields and
playgrounds. Harnett County's natural and wildlife heritage
is threatened by growth pressure that results in conversion
of agricultural lands, timberlands, and wildlife habitats to
urban uses. Many streams are considered impaired due
to stormwater run-off and sedimentation. Conservation
of natural assets and even enhancement can happen in
tandem while accommodating development through best
practices in design, including enhanced land use planning
and encouragment of conservation subdivisions in sensitive
habitats and wildlife travel corridors. A balanced approach to
parks planning that includes passive open space in addition
to active recreation facilities can help provide a diverse set of
recreational opportunities to current and future residents.
AAn,
WATER WATER ACTIVE PASSIVE FOREST & FARM SPECIES
QUALITY ACCESS RECREATION RECREATION PRESERVATION PRESERVATION
Urban stormwater
and agriculture runoff
have impaired many
creeks in Harnett
County. Low impact
development (LID)
techniques such as
reducing impervious
surfaces and retaining
vegetated riparian
(stream) buffers can
help improve water
quality.
The Cape Fear River
and Upper Little
River offer great
opportunities for
tourism. New and
improved canoe/
kayak launches could
allow greater access
to these natural
resources.
14 : Grow Harnett County
Harnett County Parks
& Recreation partners
with local, state and
federal agencies with
the goal of providing
comprehensive
recreation and leisure
opportunities for all
citizens. Five county
parks are maintained,
which have a variety
of active recreation
facilities including
baseball/softball
fields, tennis courts,
a disc golf course
and playgrounds.
Additional facilities
will be needed as the
County grows.
Harnett County
Parks & Recreation
maintains two parks
with passive recreation
opportunities
(Anderson Creek Park
and Cape Fear River
Trail Park). Reserving
land for additional
passive recreation
and amenities
(nature parks, trails,
and greenways)
will be important to
preserving the quality
of life in Harnett
County.
Farmland and forests
contribute to the
scenic quality of the
County's rural areas.
They also contribute
over $300 million in
value-added income
to the local economy.
Residential growth
in rural areas can
increase development
pressure and threaten
the viability of
agricultural and timber
Production,
The Cape Fear Shiner,
the Red -Cockaded
Woodpecker and
the Rough -Leaved
loosestrife are
federally endangered
species that call
Harnett County home.
In addition 22 types
of species are listed
as Federal Species
of Concern. Clean
water and connected
wildlife corridors
and habitats are
essential to preserving
biodiversity.
MAP 3'. BIODIVERSIT Y AND HABITAT
MAP 4: GROWTH PRESSURE
r srl�
I
i
MAP 5'. NATURAL RESOURCES
i
Jam,.• / FW
_
O can�.mruto• P.,u N _ _' • \1 1.•, i f-� y._a - 4J
I-1 4 LLY V
r
wn.,•b• u,w 1 �/r.y � � r�-, y �. `IC ly 31 1-11 Il..���a r .j+zr� \ .. f! //
7.L
__ •.. Y Il am. • , i - \\_I,
_ _ • t �"��� r n(;+ �, a � t.�y• \fir ..�t � i � "�l
_` tr! Y`' � 'yCti\ J,'.. ! '."•''.� ' ` • ♦ r 'i !-' ` 1't �� '�3 . +.' 'L.er. �'f� L . �/. _ �I.
✓( `/ ti-aCf'"L aLC , 'il- \ LLCy.\
j V • 1 Y�ft
Ar '�:. \ 1. �•�+f `z'�i.d���l�+s���.
Comprehensive Growth Plan IS
TRANSPORTATION
A significant majority of residents, 64 percent, commute
outside Harnett County for work. The County's jobs to
household ratio are the lowest among neighboring counties,
placing Harnett as a bedroom community for Wake,
Cumberland and Lee counties. Historically, Harnett County
was characterized by rural and agricultural development.
Therefore, many of the highways in the county were
originally intended to be two-lane, farm -to -market roads.
New development, however, has transformed many of these
country roads to major transportation corridors, creating
problems with capacity and safety. Investment in preserving
and improving the access to the economic engines of the
Research Triangle, Fort Bragg and Fayetteville will be critical
to continuing to be an attractive place to live and do business.
Economic and political realities suggest more limited federal
and state assistance to counties in the near future. This
presents significant challenges for infrastructure maintenance
and may limit funding for new location roadways. With public
sector austerity comes a greater need for communities to
maintain mobility through access management controls
on major roads, and by building effective public-private
partnerships at the local level to ensure new development
mitigates impacts to the transportation network via on-site
and off-site improvements. In some urbanizing areas, there is
a growing demand for active transportation options such as
biking, walking and transit. The design of new development
and future roadway improvements, including the degree
to which streets are connected and accommodate multiple
types of users will impact traffic levels and the viability of
alternative transportation in the future.
16 . Grow Harnett County
FIGURE 6: HARNETT'S COMt iUI E
HARNETT'S COMMUTE 11
E)30.3 MINUTES
AVERAGE WORK COMMUTE
O
O 01
0000
O O
84.6%
9.8%
OF WORKERS
CARPOOL
DRIVE ALONE
til"
O
*b R
° °
3.1%
1.3%
1.3%
WORK AT
WALKED/
TRANSIT/
HOME
BIKED
OTHER
S�
F-
i
JWr
Source: American Community Survey 2009-2013
UTILITIES
Significant investments have been made in the Harnett County
water and sewer systems in recent years. The County is unique
in that the majority of the county is served by water and an
extensive sewer system is maintained that rivals those in larger
cities. Moving forward, it will be critical to define expectations
regarding future capacity and levels of service to ensure that
growth is encouraged where infrastructure exists.
In addition to water and sewer, other utilities, including electric,
natural gas and high-speed internet are key to attracting
certain types of development including commercial, industrial,
professional services, technology and even certain residents.
Continued coordination with private utility providers that
determine where these services are extended is essential to
encouraging economic development.
FIGURE 7: WATER AND SEWER USAGE AND CAPACI I Y
27.3 MGD
CURRENT WATER
TREATMENT CAPACITY
HARNEI T COUNTY REGIONAL W TP
EXPANSION TO 42 MGD IS
UNDERWAY
15.7 MGD
AVERAGE DAILY
USAGE
23.4 MGD
MAXIMUM DAILY USAGE
(JUNE)
37,190
WATER
CONNECTIONS
20.6 MGD
CURRENT COMBINED WASTEWATER
TREATMENT CAPACITY
NORIA IIARNETT
REGIONAL WWTP (S.6 MGD)
SOUTH HARNE'I'I W W TP (15 MGD)
EXPANSION OF NORTH HARNET T
WWTP TO 75,sIGD IS PLANNED
11.8 MGD
AVERAGE DAILY DISCHARGE
(FEBRUARY)
11,833
SEWER CONNECTIONS
Source: Harnett County
I
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 17 1
tAA
a0
I
DEVELOPMENT OF THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN
®........................................................................................
One method to help communities learn about the potential impacts and trade-offs of future
growth and development is through a process called scenario planning.
Scenario planning provides an opportunity to think
and make decisions about the impacts of growth
on the county to develop a common vision for the
future. A trend or Business -As -Usual scenario was
developed to represent what the County would
look like in 2040, given current trends and policy.
Alternative scenarios, based on Harnett County's
goals and input from the Technical and Advisory
Committee, were developed as alternative paths to
the current course of growth and development.
Potential impacts of growth (positive and
negative) were measured for all of the scenarios
using a set of indicators — measures developed
SCENARIOS
Business As Usual Scenario (BAU)
o--
n,
its
At
20 . Grow Harnett County
based on priorities and goals developed by the
Advisory Committee.
From this analysis, and with input from the
Advisory Committee, a Preferred Scenario was
developed that maximizes the performance of
priority indicators. The Future Land Use Plan
was developed from the Preferred Scenario and
refined based on input from the public, Advisory
Committee and elected officials.
For more details on the process and results of
scenario planning please refer to the Appendix of
this report.
Following existing policies, the Business -As -Usual
scenario results in:
Scattered low density development that limits utility
demand inside of easily served areas, resulting in
decreased revenues.
Significant unpacts to military operations, and
wildlife habitats.
New development Impacting over 35,000 acres of
working lands
i
i
Strong Towns (ST) j
Natural Assets Scenario (NA)
Preferred Scenario (PS)
.t, .
r
f �N
Focusing growth near existing towns and planned
activity centers results in the following:
Increased efficiency of the utility systems in the county
More vibrant towns (83% increase in new homes near
towns)
Reduced Impact on military operations on Fort Bragg as
measured by impacts to critical to conserve lands and
within noise zones
Improved the long-term viability of sensitive long -leaf pine
ecosysterns by reducing the number of homes near Smoke
Awareness Areas
The Natural Assets Scenario shows that forecasted
growth can be accommodated while accomplishing the
following:
Reduced impacts to wildlife habitat and forest cover by
14,000 acres
Reduced the amount of new impervious surface in Water
Supply Watersheds and High Quality Waters
The Preferred Scenario showed that by combining
elements of the three alternatives the following could be
achieved:
Saved 8.000 acres of agricultural lands (which ea.uates to
$1,000,000 in annual tax revenue)
Reduced impacts impacts to the Critical to Conserve lands
by 50% compared to the BAU Scenario
Increased utility demand by 2.5 MGD in Utility Focus Areas
(areas easily served by sewer). This equates to $750.000
per year in potential revenue)
I
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 21
FUTURE LAND USE PLAN
&........................................................................................
The Harnett community envisions a future where the county will continue to grow and prosper
in a way that promotes a high quality of life, capitalizes on and protects the assets that make
Harnett County unique, and ensures that all Harnett residents have access to a variety of
housing, transportation, recreation and employment options.
INTRODUCTION
The Future Land Use Plan was derived from the
Preferred Scenario after further refinement based
on coordination with the Technical Team and
input from the public, Advisory Committee and
elected officials. It is a conceptual representation
of the development patterns leaders and citizens
of Harnett County envision for the future. The
map is descriptive, not prescriptive, conveying
the intended primary uses in different areas. This
map is a concept and should be interpreted with
flexibility to accommodate market opportunities
and isolated compatible uses.
There are 11 land use categories illustrated on
the map. Each land use category is intended
22 : Grow Harnett County
to indicate a predominant land use—or set
of uses—as well as other features that define
the character of development in connection
with the category. A brief description of each
category is provided below. Each description
is consistent with the ideas and vision the
community has for the future development
pattern. These descriptions do not propose
a change to existing development within
each category; instead, they suggest a
complementary direction moving forward
and list qualities to be embodied by new
development and redevelopment.
GUIDE GROWTH IN A MANNER THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE
FUTURE LAND USE MAP.
The Comprehensive Growth Plan and the Future Land Use Map contained within it are intended to
guide decisions of County leaders regarding future growth and development within the community.
The implementation of the Plan must be facilitated through strong political will and effective tools,
such as zoning and subdivision regulations in the Unified Development Ordinance. To ensure effective
implementation, the County should:
Promote the policies outlined in the Plan.
Examine existing codes and standards to ensure the implementation of the Plan is possible.
Preview development proposals for consistency with the Future Land Use Map.
i
i
i
........................................................................................p
MAP 7. FUTURE LAND USE MAP
i
N
Qd�t�a t
I
i
: 1
G
= YYY
Comprehensive Growth Plan 23
FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES
ENVIRONMENTAL AND MILITARY AREAS
Protected Areas: Parks and other forms of protected open space, including large conservation
easements.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas: Environmentally sensitive areas, including floodplains and areas
located in the Conservation Overlay Zoning District. Primary uses in these areas would be open space,
forestry, and agriculture.
Compatibility Development Target Areas: Areas where water and sewer is readily available and
residential developments are recommended to take advantage of the Compatibility Development option
in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This option allows for greater flexibility in lot sizes in
exchange for higher amounts of open space. This allows for clustering development in order to preserve
rural views and key natural features such as habitat corridors and farmland.
Military Corridor Buffer: Critical and Important to Conserve Lands as identified by the Fort Bragg JLUSE
within 1 mile of the base and parcels > 50 acres within Ya mile of Fort Bragg. Except those lands with
existing or pending development (i.e. Lexington Plantation, Anderson Creek Club, Walmart), proposed
Compact Mixed Use Areas, and lands east of Ray Road. Proposed development in these areas is meant to
be reviewed by the Federal Government to ensure compatibility with Fort Bragg operations.
AGRICULTURAL and RURAL RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Agricultural and Rural Residential: Primarily agricultural and forestry uses with some rural residential
areas. These areas are located outside of existing and future sewer service areas and rely on septic
systems for wastewater treatment. They have a limited road network and in some cases lie within High
Quality Watershed or Water Supply Watershed areas. The lack of utility and transportation infrastructure,
the established low density development pattern and ongoing agricultural activities in these areas
contribute to their rural character. This character can be enhanced by encouraging only low intensity
uses, single family residential up to one unit per acre and context sensitive rural design.
♦ Protected Areas ♦ Environmentally Sensitive Areas ♦ Agricultural and Rural Residential Areas
24 : Grow Harnett County
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Low Density Residential: Single family detached residential intended to remain predominantly suburban in character and
provide for low density single-family residential development on lots smaller than those in Rural Residential areas. Gross
densities of 1-3 dwelling units per acre depending on utilities, soils and character of adjacent development.
Medium Density Residential: Medium density residential with a mix of housing types including single family detached homes
with average lot sizes, small -lot homes and patio homes. Gross densities of 2-5 dwelling units per acre. Located in areas
served by current or planned utilities or in areas near the extra -territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of towns. Additional housing types
(including townhomes and apartments) and higher densities may be appropriate as part of planned developments or near
Development Nodes.
DEVELOPMENT NODES
Rural Centers: Small scale commercial centers. The exact location and extent of the Rural Centers will be market driven,
however, the non-residential footprint will usually be less than 50,000 square feet in these areas.
Compact Mixed Use: These areas are meant to be nodes or activity centers for growing areas in the County. They are located
near concentrations of existing or planned residences, and areas with access to major thoroughfares and utilities. These
areas incorporate commercial uses including grocery stores, retail establishments, restaurants and services. Office, civic and
institutional uses should complement commercial uses. Higher density residential including small lot single-family, townhomes
and apartments should be located in close proximity to shopping and service destinations and complimented by pedestrian
facilities to provide more walking opportunities to internal and external destinations. The exact location and size of non-
residential areas will be dependent on market conditions.
Employment Mixed Use: These areas are located along major thoroughfares and include prime locations for economic
development opportunities. Uses encouraged in the Employment Mixed Use areas include but are not limited to industrial,
warehouse, office, research and development, tech -flex, medical, energy and distribution. Residential development is
appropriate only when not in conflict with existing or future industry or commercial uses.
A Low Density Residential A Compact Mixed Use A Employment Mixed Use
Comprehensive Growth Plan 25
S
�� '� it "A � C '•t �� ' 'l iii
��• c 4� ss "S rT.n rY, 3. y �Q e � y _w^q,�.,.«...-Y 's�.
T;„
LP--
a
��RE �CrO
1�
4
�}
A
NE-71,T;=..�4117� 4-
,
�'�yi �k. � •� � �. Y Y do '�1:
{E"ND,ATIEONS
GOALS & STRATEGIES
........................................................................................
The following recommendations are likely to have the greatest impact on Harnett County over the next
20 years. The implementation of the Plan must be facilitated through strong political will and effective
tools. By implementing these policies and strategies, the county can address some of its most pressing
issues and capitalize on its most viable opportunities.
The policies and strategies are organized by goals. The goals provide a long-term end to which the
county can direct effort. The policy and strategies provide a specific action or recommendation to
achieve an identified goal.
LAND USE GOALS
Goal LU71: Reinforce countywide economic development goals with land use
decisions.
Goal LU -2: Encourage growth where infrastructure exists.
Goal LU -3: Promote quality commercial and retail development at well -located
sites in order to help reverse retail leakage trends.
Goal LU -4: Accommodate a mixture of housing types in appropriate areas.
Goal LU -S: Promote and maintain the rural character and agricultural economy
of the County.
Goal LU -6: Promote compatible uses in areas adjacent to Fort Bragg and Harnett
Regional Jetport (Airport).
Goal LU -7: Monitor the fiscal impacts of land use changes.
Goal LU -8: Improve aesthetics of urbanizing areas.
28 : Grow Harnett County
................................................................0.0..........0....0.....®
LAND USE STRATEGIES
Goal LU -1
Reinforce countywide economic development goals with land use decisions.
Policy LU -1.1
Concentrate future economic growth in the Campbell health -education corridor, along the 1-95 corridor, in pockets
contiguous to high residential concentrations for retail and services, and in the municipalities.
Policy LU -1.2
Identify prime locations for industrial and distribution operations and protect these locations from incompatible
development.
Policy LU -1.3
Prioritize water and sewer infrastructure investments to support economic development efforts.
Policy LU -1.4
Promote shovel -ready 1-95 sites with incentives.
Policy LU -1.5
Promote high -potential sites and groups of sites that constitute future employment centers.
Strategy LU -1.5.1: Develop small -area concept plans that can be used to brand and market future employment centers,
preserve/improve access, and reduce future land use conflicts. The Ed -Med Corridor, US 401 Employment Corridor,
and the 1-95 Employment Corridor are locations where conceptual plans paired with marketing efforts would be
advantageous.
Goal LU -2
Encourage growth where infrastructure exists.
Policy LU -2-1
Encourage growth inside municipal limits and extra -territorial jurisdictions to promote strong towns.
Policy LU -2.2
Encourage growth inside utility service areas—areas where adequate water and sewer service exists.
Policy LU -2.3
Monitor development trends and effectiveness of policies.
Strategy LU -2.3.1: Coordinate with tax assessor to update tax records and/or permit tracking software to allow for more
detailed reports on development approvals and building permits,
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 29
Goal LU -3
Promote quality commercial and retail development at well -located sites in order to
help reverse retail leakage trends.
Policy LU -3.1
Encourage commercial and retail development at the intersections of existing and planned arterials in
and near Development Nodes as identified on the Future Land Use Map.
Policy LU -3.2
Preserve/improve access to high potential sites by requiring access management along major arterials
and planning for a connected collector street network in the vicinity of Development Nodes.
Strategy LU -3.P.1: Develop small -area concept plans that can be used to brand and market
potential retail and mixed-use centers as well as illustrate access points, collector street
configurations and cross sections, building orientation and other design features.
Policy LU -3.3
Promote pedestrian oriented design near Development Nodes to appeal to consumer preferences for
more attractive, walkable centers.
Strategy LU -3.3.1: Consider design guidelines or standards similar to the Highway Corridor Overlay
District for Compact Mixed Use areas.
Strategy LU -3.3.2: Require new buildings, near Development Nodes, to be located close to the
street with minimal parking in front. Consider revising UDO to include maximum setbacks in
addition to minimum setbacks (based on total right-of-way needed with planned improvements).
Policy LU -3.4
Require pedestrian facilities in new developments near Development Nodes and in Low Density and
Medium Density Residential Areas.
Policy LU -3.5
Encourage public greenspace or plazas as organizing elements and destinations within Development
Nodes.
30 : Grow Harnett County
FIGURE 8'. DEVELOPMENI NODE EXAMPLE (IN SUPPORT OF LU -3)
Commercial and retail development should be encouraged in and near Development Nodes.
Buildings should be oriented towards the street with minimal parking in front. Landscaping and
street trees should be located along internal and external roads.
Apartments and higher density
residential in close proximity to
retail encourage walking.
Central greens, plazas and other
forms of public space serve as
izing elements
Single-family neighborhoods
provide a transition from the
development node to rural areas
Buildings oriented towards
the street with minimal
parking in front improve
aesthetics and walkability of
development
Its and connected
collector streets are key to maintaining
mobility around and access to commercial
nodes
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 31
Goal LU -4
Accommodate a mixture of housing types in appropriate areas.
Policy LU -4.1
Promote higher density residential (apartments, townhomes, and small -lot homes) in areas within
walking distance (1/2 to 1 mile) of Development Nodes.
Goal LU -5
Promote and maintain the rural character and agricultural economy of the
County.
Policy LU -5.1
Implement Goals from Working Lands Protection Plan and protect prime agriculture lands and
active farming operations from incompatible development.
Policy LU -5.2
Limit expansion of sewer service into areas designated as Agricultural and Rural Residential on
the Future Land Use Map to limit impact on agricultural operations.
Policy LU -5.3
Promote low density, context sensitive residential in the Agricultural and Rural Residential areas
shown on the Future Land Use Map.
Strategy LU -5.3.1: Allow flexibility in street design if Rural Residential standards are met.
Revise UDO as necessary to allow for this type of development. See Figure 10 for more
information.
Policy LU -5.4
Expand assistance for voluntary land conservation.
Strategy LU -5.4.1: Provide printed information on statewide, regional and local land
conservation programs In the planning department and other county offices and through the
county web page.
Policy LU -5.5
Encourage retention of mature forest.
Strategy LU -5.5.1: Encrourage tree retention through defining criteria for designating
significant trees and updating the Unified Development Ordinance to include guidance on
preservation (See section 9.5.1.8 of Pinehurst's Development Ordinance for an example of how
to define and preserve significant trees).
32 : Grow Harnett County
FIGURE 10: CONTEXT SENSI I IVE RURAL RESIDENTIAL EXAMPLE ON SUPPORT OF LU -5)
Many areas of Harnett County are rural in nature and offer scenic views of farms and fields from farm -to -market roads.
These areas, particularly those in the Agricultural and Rural Residential area on the Future Land Use Map may not be
appropriate for traditional suburban development due to lack of utilities and transportation infrastructure. The rural
character of these areas could be preserved by promoting low impact, context sensitive rural development by offering
flexibility in street design if Rural Residential standards are met.
aw
'J--�+�►�y + \ V/ '- ,�r W' (rL'S'r/C }' r '7l{k(�j�'/S� YC—+ y 1
lS
r ✓JJJJJ/// r
t 1 �p'"�'d
r 11 �� •,� b'ji�j M
�Yt� r
� r
Design criteria could include:
20 Lot Maximum Alternative street standards
Average lot size > 1 acre Swale sections (instead of curb and gutter)
Design of home sites to preserve key views and Reduced sidewalk requirements (i.e. trails or multi -
natural features use path)
Minimal grading and disturbance of mature trees Open space requirements
and wildlife habitat
For more information see City of Raleigh Sensitive Area Street Standards at www.raleighnc.gov/content/extra/
Books/Plan Dev/UnifiedDevelopmentOrdinance/#237
Comprehensive Crowth Plan : 33
Goal LU -6
Promote compatible uses in areas adjacent to Fort Bragg and Harnett Regional
Jetport (Airport).
Policy LU -6.1
Coordinate with the Federal Government and the Regional Land Use Advisory Committee to
ensure that development in or near the Military Corridor Buffer areas included on the Future Land
Use Map is compatible with Fort Bragg military operations.
Policy LU -6.2
Promote compatible land uses in the vicinity of the Airport by allowing only those land uses and/
or building construction methods that will minimize safety concerns in accident potential zones
and be compatible with noise from airport operations.
Strategy LU -6.2.1: Study potentially adding an airport overlay district to the Unified
Development Ordinance that minimizes conflicts with Airport activities.
FIGURE 11: PROPOSED MILITARY CORRIDOR BUI:FER (IN SUPPORT OF LU"7).
Development within the Military Corridor Buffer should be compatible with current and future military operations.
ad
a �
✓✓�/�/�yy/ � 1 �^ y.� � � p i pLillirgton'
27
`` til e'' ��.'C�`� a 4 i �5. f•5
J�.%6
r ;ail
.{ a - - ��' roti j�"7 � � ♦ � j �
/
i
24
34 : Grow Harnett County !
FIGURE 12: HARNEI T COUNT Y COST OF LAND USE (IN SUPPORT OF LU -8).
The 2011 Cost of Land Use Fiscal Impact Analysis conducted by TischlerBise on behalf of the Fort
Bragg Regional Alliance shows that certain types of development result in net fiscal benefits and
others cost more in services than they provide in revenue. The fiscal impacts of potential new
development should factor into land use and infrastructure decisions.
Goal LU -7
Monitor the fiscal impacts of land use changes.
Policy LU -7.1
Coordinate between departments to periodically update information on the county expenditures
needed to provide services to different types of land use.
Policy LU -7.2
Consider fiscal impacts of major proposed land use changes
Strategy LU -7.2.1: Consider implementation of a utility allocation policy that prioritizes
allocation of capacity based on future return on investment.
Goal LU -8
Improve the aesthetics of urbanizing areas.
Policy LU -8.1
Establish codes and programs to mitigate existing and avoid future aesthetic concerns.
Strategy LU -7.2.1: Adopt a minimum housing code or regularly fund a problem properties
program.
Policy LU -8.2
Require landscaping and shade trees in new developments.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 35
Hamm County AnnuilNet FNeelResuNe
C'n W L ua* F"' ANyv
FL 6npp R.0- BRAGn1F. NVNGraR��
SSpoo
IRIRatlFnW Wry ugMI.Wi MnmbNY bpwn fwll
Saco
53.E
51.
53mo
S
SNSm XI� iovMouu RnJI
1�
ISSta.SXXI (SunA l Hu l.) i$., of M...)
51:01
Goal LU -7
Monitor the fiscal impacts of land use changes.
Policy LU -7.1
Coordinate between departments to periodically update information on the county expenditures
needed to provide services to different types of land use.
Policy LU -7.2
Consider fiscal impacts of major proposed land use changes
Strategy LU -7.2.1: Consider implementation of a utility allocation policy that prioritizes
allocation of capacity based on future return on investment.
Goal LU -8
Improve the aesthetics of urbanizing areas.
Policy LU -8.1
Establish codes and programs to mitigate existing and avoid future aesthetic concerns.
Strategy LU -7.2.1: Adopt a minimum housing code or regularly fund a problem properties
program.
Policy LU -8.2
Require landscaping and shade trees in new developments.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 35
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The most important factor for successful economic development is building a community product
that is attractive to potential investors. The presence of Interstate 95 is a major attribute for Harnett
County and makes opportunities along the interstate the most likely location for some types of new
investments. Harnett County also enjoys a competitive advantage with abundant water resources and
therefore should consider industry targets that require high quality water sources. In addition, the
proximity to Fort Bragg and growing opportunities at Campbell University provide opportunities to
develop industry that supports military and "ed-med" operations. By focusing on the county's assets
and best opportunities for growth, this plan recommends focusing economic development efforts
within each of the following target sectors:
Military Support & Defense Technologies
Medical Equipment and Supplies
Automotive parts Manufacturing
Food and Beverage Processing & Agriculture
Business Services
Logistics
Larger scale retail
Based on local input, best practices research, and the current availability of very limited resources,
this plan recommends that the Harnett County Economic Development Office focus equally on the
following four goals.
Goal ED -1: Start a business attraction and marketing effort.
Goal ED -2: Support existing industry to encourage retention and expansion of
jobs.
Goal ED -3: Build a better overall economic product.
Goal ED -4: Build organizational capacity.
36 : Grow Harnett County
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Goal ED -1
Start a business attraction and marketing effort.
Strategy ED -1.1
Develop a "to -market" positioning "brand" around cost -competitiveness, 1-95, proximity to Wake
County and Fort Bragg, business -friendliness, and the opportunities of a growing Campbell
University and the training resources of Central Carolina Community College (CCCC).
Strategy ED -1.2
Update and strengthen the economic development web site.
Strategy ED -1.3
Establish a more integrated and formal partnership and plan with Campbell University to work
jointly to create new jobs through commercialized research, student and alumni entrepreneurship,
and campus service and support needs.
Strategy ED -1.4
Focus proactive business attraction activities on companies within a 75 -mile radius of Harnett
County that meet the county's targets.
Strategy ED -1.5
Aggressively partner with the Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP), the NC
Department of Commerce and EDPNC to generate more domestic clients.
Strategy ED -1.6
Establish client expectations for RTRP support.
Strategy ED -1.7
Grow the budget for Harnett County marketing to targeted clients and to key site selectors in
target industries by $75,000 to $100,000 to support a full-time business recruitment specialist.
Strategy ED -1.8
Design a call program on major real estate firms in Wake, Durham and Cumberland counties to
share product inventory.
Strategy ED -1.9
Develop additional marketing content based on positioning "brand". Most of the content will be
in the form of electronic information for the targeted audiences. Specific information on certified
building and sites, available workforce, and incentives should be emphasized.
comprehensive Growth Plan : 371
MAP 9: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORI UNI I Y MAP
38 : Grow Harnett County
Goal ED -2
Support existing industry to encourage retention and expansion of jobs.
Strategy ED -2.1
Structure a visitation program in conjunction with municipalities, chambers of commerce, and
other partners. A partnership with CCCC and their current visitation program would provide a
strong jumpstart and synergy for discussions on workforce.
Strategy ED -2.2
Create a lunch conversation program for existing major private employers with the County
Commissioners and County Manager.
Strategy ED -2.3
Conduct a business bus tour of major employer facilities for County Commissioners.
Strategy ED -2.4
Partner with other organizations to create an on-line business support and assistance guide
including employee training options.
Strategy ED -2.5
Develop an economic development annual program to engage and recognize existing business
contributions to job growth or product improvement in the County.
Strategy ED -2.6
Position the Economic Development Commission as supportive, but not leading, in workforce
development issues and entrepreneurial support, further positioning the Commisssion as the
focal point for economic development issues and economic data.
Strategy ED -2.7
Conduct the first of an annual survey of business to determine issues of concern.
J"tv (W"O 1-„`�tli!c�j'�ar ` CU'S"dGCo1 slb^5 °?r'a o •.7n^l �`th'�;Sy
1Ro�p'3y(?2q '9nX. .(C]s�'X,CuI `SJY �.� a.C:SYL/vY.lrilo)rl„r,Jrt�)r,�»lrtZi(i7;rnX�2Y:.(aYo�i gJo)<`-J �dTDiYsl+arti f2-s+C'.%�xC.tx.: 'x5s�'
n- oirXTdi`•Y+i�3(Ti�'k"Qf!y�1�.J'�a eX�lc��YoJ S�J(cYrt�lfi��✓_![13i�:.L%,inX�TuXo"TG�J;a]g'FtiYnXok>�/fGYo`lu�iY2,^�J'i��,�s(�7�/�:&'1'�n,
(<7rtTX3� 7 �N57trtc2:l.UiX�rtf7.-LY:� t;&r1{iX�Yn7[Y.'ti�J�c'7K:Fi :tole o ^Jfi'2oJ^YCa:Y7.7�t9'�%i�3CfnXol tt:7.7�s: r_X;rrTtYi(J^xoX-o a,«7oyriv�, i
t�Tf'7i 1Y//Il� yi p7Jo1'%i�X'Y/TT;leX:3, J,2�lul.�(dit•JI%°T°X^.vC-r� -L•Ci, Jb C:7�L<)1+Xa2r;Yo'i 'gtaOo a "14,1; j(t'X} cm
rI :R P ? �'Y�T�o1/ AL1^U Tc]n :Y5 n 7rY61�j 3, yY 1kYoX; G f left ('Oa grai� r7 X
Co[o7YrC�tgX:oX�'l o1'oj',o,Tj(:�lX4,t� ^rl:�O�13.5T;i[) �f^;Y31 i]rJ'�C3 i(c) ci^��b.K.:t ,11��% iiTxc'tVJc1,-,#i„ a`a.�;t;l C�Yi7. iC.'ti?7�
fi:t** ,?rpt 7tGwp) slIWo lm -i ` _ C�o- r
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 39
Goal ED -3
Build a better overall economic product.
Strategy ED -3.1
Develop a realistic inventory of "ready" buildings and sites based on a "Certified" model.
Strategy ED -3.2
Partner with County and municipal utility providers to accurately establish current utility
availability to targeted sites.
Strategy ED -3.3
Promote the inventory with EDPNC and regional partners.
Strategy ED -3.4
Develop a consistent, transparent and aggressive local incentives policy for new and expanding
job creation. Job creation and taxable investment thresholds should be set and a strong legal
"claw back" provision should be included in the standard agreements.
Strategy ED -3.5
Support and encourage entrepreneurial training, career and technical education programs
developed in partnership with the public schools.
Strategy ED -3.6
Conduct a review of the planning approval process to insure that Harnett County has a
competitive advantage on time and certainty.
Strategy ED -3.7
Coordinate with school board to ensure adequate facilities and programs support future land use
and economic development efforts.
♦ Western Harnett Industrial Park ♦ Central Harnett Hospital
40 Grow Harnett County
Goal ED -4
Build organizational capacity.
The current operational capacity of the economic development effort is not sufficient to complete the
recommendations included in this plan. Additional and skilled personnel and additional marketing funds
are need over the next few years. During the first year support from other county staff can help, but in
subsequent years the County should explore a longer term solution that might be best served by some
form of public-private partnership.
Strategy ED -4.1
Evaluate the creation of a public-private partnership that would jointly fund and administer the County's
economic development effort.
Strategy ED -4.2
Increase economic development internal support and capacity.
Strategy ED -4.3
Develop a strong private sector and public partner economic development advisory council to provide
input and support.
Strategy ED -4.4
Develop a "public" dashboard of recent economic data.
Strategy ED -4.5
Partner with Campbell University for "State of the County" annual event to reset current reality and
provide a future forum for the review of progress.
Strategy ED•4.6
Partner with Campbell University to secure senior interns to help with the initial action steps of this plan.
Strategy ED -4.7
Create a public executive summary of this plan to share broadly with all economic development
stakeholders across the county.
LaC�ftwnsr^1"oL"�Y/ (w7?Ya?-*,)^J U10oci;hretinoot;coy'Jmfcjfr*
wt , YL� =1'Zr'w,:O) C. caj, ypo' e"oko]t or w-rr5, �Gig7: 11, r'I )cpm,. Tfl
-trl oj' ;cITrK`io itg, P1r�c`.1�Co�e� c c jl �u7c)lrs .}�caCdJli',1�-•h`s�CS �l l(g! ;o��^S�3["5S i�1C7�� ,;;fX
f
C1�It1iJ3 t*I %_Ua llrf J*%Z, i�'.�r1 <7MNWVQ '�Y2 7f�1l,7lo�f�C7�' S :kii?Y�100)C'.=)rJ:•'
17cX7P;'roa`'1' oK �I ;SAX ti
o -Y IN :_vr& lrw(JfrC97 :lu'n"Cc7�:FioSi "cam? (-Q* wJ o p)- ^1C�, ^1?',i(r=7^ 9i3rc� .
comprehensive Growth Plan 411
NATURAL RESOURCE GOALS
In all areas of the County residents have a desire for access to active and passive recreational
opportunities close to home. Active recreational facilities and programs including ball fields,
playgrounds and sports leagues have been the focus of County recreation efforts over the past decade
or more. Citizens have expressed a growing desire to access to passive recreational opportunities
as well. Passive recreation includes biking or jogging on a greenway, hiking in nature preserves and
paddling on the Cape Fear River.
Harnett County is located at the intersection of the Piedmont, Sandhills and Coastal Plain regions. This
provides for a mix of habitats that are home to 56 species considered rare or recognized by the state
or federal government as priority, threatened or endangered. In addition, Harnett County is home
to a number of headwater streams that feed the Cape Fear River and provide drinking water to the
region. The Cape Fear River and other waterways also offer recreational opportunities that are key to
positioning the County as a regional ecotourism destination.
Habitat fragmentation and loss due to urbanization along with water quality degradation from
sedimentation and non -point source pollution via stormwater run-off are significant threats to Harnett
County's natural assets. In the northern part of the County the biggest concern is protecting riparian
habitat and rural character in the Neill's Creek Basin and the High -Quality Waters that include Parker,
Avetts and Hector Creek. In the Southwestern part of the County the primary concern is protecting
and restoring a connected system of uplands—primarily long -leaf pine forests to provide rare species
corridors to move from Carvers Creek State Park and the Fort Bragg military base to other major
habitat hubs in Anderson Creek Park and along the Lower Little River.
The Plan includes goals, policies and strategies that, if followed, will allow the County to accommodate
development while providing active and passive open space as an amenity, protect terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems, preserve water quality and address major concerns in the areas listed above.
Goal NR -1: Protect High -Quality Waters in the County that preserve habitat for
the Cape Fear Shiner and other rare aquatic species.
Goal NR -2: Encourage compatible development in areas with high-quality
environmental features.
Goal NR -3: Position Harnett County as a Destination for Eco -Tourism.
Goal NR -4: Provide active and passive recreation opportunities to preserve and
enhance the quality of life.
Goal NR -5: Raise awareness of the county's unique natural assets.
42 Grow Harnett County
NATURAL RESOURCE STRATEGIES
GOAL NR -1
Protect High -Quality Waters in the County that preserve habitat for the Cape Fear
Shiner and other rare aquatic species.
Policy NR -1.1
Encourage Low Impact Development (LID) techniques in High -Quality Watersheds (Parker, Avetts and
Hector Creeks) and Water Supply Watersheds (Neills Creek and others).
Strategy NR -1.1.1: Improve stream forest protection incentives and requirements, especially in
watersheds with impaired streams or threatened streams.
Strategy NR -1.1.2: Encourage reduced development footprints and disconnected impervious surfaces.
Strategy NR -1.1.3: Promote innovative stormwater infrastructure (bio-swales, rain gardens, etc.).
Goal NR -2
Encourage compatible development in areas with high-quality environmental features.
Policy NR -2.1
Discourage development in floodplains.
Policy NR -2.2
Discourage habitat fragmentation and promote the the connectivity of open spaces across the landscape.
Strategy NR -2.2.1: Encourage the conservation of areas of high biodiversity (identified on the NCDENR
Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat Assessment Map in the Appendix), Natural Heritage Natural Areas,
mature forest, riparian areas, and other unique natural features such as rock outcrops, vernal pools,
seeps, and long -leaf pine forests (areas where existing long -leaf pine forests are likely are identified in
the Potential Upland Habitat Map in the Appendix).
Strategy NR -2.2.2: Consider utilizing the N.C. Wildlife Commission Conservation Green Growth
Toolbox during the development review process by requiring the creation of project specific maps (by
staff or applicant) using the North Carolina Natural Heritage Data Explorer or available GIS data (i.e. the
NC WRC Green Growth Toolbox Conservation Data layers).
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 43
Policy Nli
Provide incentives such as density bonuses to promote context -sensitive development.
Strategy NR -2.3.1: Define/refine Compatibility Development Target Areas (CDTAs) and
incentivize conservation subdivisions (40%+ open space) through flexible lot sizes in CDTAs
with access to sewer.
Strategy NR -2.3.2: Review and adjust incentives in UDO periodically to ensure that
Compatibility Developments are an attractive option,
Strategy NR -2.3.3: Revise UDO to specify priority conservation areas that should be set aside
as open space in Compatibility Developments using section 3 of the NCWRC Green Growth
Toolbox and Model Natural Resources Conservation Ordinance for guidance.
Policy NR -2.4: Preserve and restore the Longleaf Pine (LLP) ecosystem.
Strategy NR -2.4.1: Consider an upland open space requirement or incentive (i.e. additional
density bonuses) tied to conserve priority wildlife habitats such as longleaf pine forests in the
Southwestern Harnett CDTA.
♦ Illustrations of Conceptual Development Scenarios that Incorporate Key Habitat Connections as Open
Space Amenities in Exchange for Incentives (i.e. Density Bonus or Lower Minimum Lot Size)
44 Grow Harnett County
FIGURE 14: KEY ECOLOGICAL CONNECT IONS (IN SUPPORT OF NR -2).
County Boundaries 2, , . H'+ f
Q Managetl Lantls ;
[ , V"A., Kw G"a'-i"J-, ,
Areas High in Biodiverstty
Forest Cover ,uueLw .,, /OAF'''. •_� t•
Floodplain °o
•Y t V`vT IR Z dill 0 i
`ll U (
y Y
' o KRAMERRD A
r IL PS LN ®
I �
D PHILLIPS S,gpY N
I� °gROL INft&, �/
H'AY
ai
a"aqy
�.P�
� o�
,nwn Creek
g
Park rc�. 5e �
� p0 i
a
i� 1r�eFJ4vl � t• 1
L [ [
�I � C
U_ 9
-' Lc
q°
P,
bt
HAYES ftD
(VALLEY
{ V P
�RD�.
H A R NIE T_T
1 U71NTV =�
r \
r
—I-
-
_ .A1,-77
Carvers Creek
State Park)
CUMBER -NA MD
Spring
C VU.N TY
_ Lakes
/
/ 7--1
-, -4 + \�
l �)1,
1R.IY D
� r
1 �� I •
(NCDOT)
I;RVUS Fish and wildlife
I Safe Harbor Agreement
(Tevlp.Uiry( °
i
A 9
Comprehensive Growth Plan . 45;
GOAL NR -3
Position Harnett County as a Destination for Eco -Tourism.
Policy NR -3.1
Improve canoe and kayak access to the Cape Fear and Upper Little River.
Strategy NR -3.1.1: Develop a canoe and kayak access point on the Upper Little River on
County owned land in the vicinity of INC 210 South of Lillington. (Al)
Strategy NR -3.1.2: Partner with landowners and area non -profits and study the feasibility of
creating an additional public river access point north or south of Raven Rock State Park and
additional access points along the Upper Little River.
Strategy NR -3.1.3: Partner with businesses and non -profits to inform boaters about current
water levels.
Strategy NR -3.1.4: Partner with volunteer groups to maintain a blueway on the Upper Little
River.
Strategy NR -3.1.5: Consider providing racks, informational maps, and additional facilities at
launches to encourage tourism.
Policy NR -3.3
Partner with Dunn Tourism to develop a brand for Harnett County as an eco -tourism destination.
Strategy NR -3.3.1: Coordinate with non -profits, Dunn Tourism and local businesses to develop
a map and/or guidebook for paddling the Cape Fear River.
Strategy NR -3.3.2: Pursue funding for regional greenways (Also see Goal TRANS -4).
Policy NR -3.4
Improve recreational fishing opportunities.
Strategy NR -3.6: Support efforts to construct fish passages at USACE's Lock and Dams 92
and 43 on the Lower Cape Fear River to improve striped bass access to historic spawning
habitat in Harnett County.
46 : Grow Harnett County
FIGURE 14 CAPE FEAR EC01OURISM MAP (IN SUPPORT OF NR -3).
The Cape Fear River and other significant parks and natural features (including Raven Rock State Park, Anderson Creek Park,
and the Upper Little River) are extraordinary assets that form the basis for a system of Ecotourism facilities that have a regional
and statewide draw.
\ 42 , Fuqu -Varlm, —tJ
CHAT AM F=/v" } `. AKE \ RW ASF"
JN Y
'1
LEE
COUNTY
R.4.
a n.I r )r- 1 7 , (' a MmeFlFmun Auen Cwnry O•nca
a44. pi�ckFk� .4
�yCf2la l�l/�•, �'
4'" OIMrFutvn
*`
/401 ,�.
y Ropne4 auv .,Medd. TW
, r �= [
Y �
.,i � _.; � Fa,�i.,kmcmm.•yY
421 �, I a a ® wnp onMwn
l , i 4 a
421
27
F 4.'e-''
Jw L'Illinoto nom, � � - �l nson
421
27
1
TCri
r k
Ilk
401 82 421
r
- :II'p CUMBERLAND A W^
COUNTY
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 47'1
GOAL NR -4
Provide active and passive recreation opportunities to preserve and enhance
the quality of life.
Policy NR -4.1
Support public and private investment in active and passive recreation opportunities.
Strategy NR -4.1.1: Locate new park facilities in under -served sectors (see Underserved Areas
Map in Appendix).
Strategy NR -4.1.2: Update the parks and recreation master plan.
Strategy NR -4.1.3: Pursue funding for construction of the Government Complex Park.
Strategy NR -4.1.4: Develop the capacity to accept and maintain privately constructed
greenways.
Strategy NR -4.1.5: Include passive open space, including wildlife habitat and trails in new
parks.
Strategy NR -4.1.6: Incorporate considerations for a connected system of open space in
planning efforts including transportation plans and small -area plans.
Strategy NR -4.1.7: Partner with towns, athletic clubs and other organizations to develop and
market events with a regional draw (i.e. paddling, biking, Frisbee golf events).
♦ Dunn Erwin Trail ♦ Anderson Creek Park
48 : Grow Harnett County
GOAL NR -5
Raise awareness of the county's unique natural assets.
Strategy NR -5.1.1: Develop programs with local school districts to educate youth on the
existence and value of natural resources in the County.
Strategy NR -5.1.2: Update website to include maps and other information related to natural
resources to assist in educating the public, marketing local parks and providing information to
property owners.
Strategy NR -5.1.3: Create a Natural Resources committee, similar to the Harnett County
Transportation Advisory Group to provide guidance on natural resource issues in the county.
FIGURE 15'. HARNET 1 COUN I NAIURAL RESOURCES STORY MAP (IN SUPPORT OF NR -5).
An interactive map was created as part of the Growth Plan to provide information on Harnett County's unique Natural
Resources. It can be accessed at: http://arcg.is/lIa BgnM
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 49
I- T MO, -''tOF!' T 3%' 9. l�L
The decentralized pattern of growth in Harnett County has led to increased traffic, significant commute
times and added costs for residents. Improving access to regional destinations is the paramount
transportation concern. Maintaining mobility on key arterials, adding a connected road network as
growth occurs, and providing multi -modal transportation options are other key issues.
The location and intensity of development envisioned in the Future Land Use map is meant to decrease
trip length and vehicle miles traveled. The Goals, policies and strategies below are meant to support
the Future Land Use map, guide the update of the Harnett County Comprehensive Transportation Plan
(CTP) as well as address other issues related to transportation and mobility.
Goal TRANS -1: Develop a strategy to get a four -lane road constructed from Harnett
to Wake County.
Goal TRANS -2: Improve the efficiency of the local road network.
Goal TRANS -3: Provide for multi -modal transportation options near Development
Nodes and in Residential Focus Areas of the County.
Goal TRANS -4: Develop a Countywide Greenway System.
Goal TRANS -5: Coordinate with regional and state transportation planning agencies.
50 Grow Harnett County
GOAL TRANS -1
Develop a strategy to get a four -lane road constructed from Harnett to Wake
County.
Policy TRANS -1.1
Coordinate with CAMPO, NCDOT and Fuquay Varina to plan for a limited access route from US
401 to future 1-540.
Strategy TRANS -1.1.1: Support completion of US 401 Bypass Study or a new study focused on
identifying a cost -feasible project that improves the connection between Harnett County and
Wake County, specifically US 401 to 1-540.
Policy TRANS -1.2
Continue to work with CAMPO and NCDOT to widen NC 55 north of Angier.
GOAL TRANS -2
Improve the efficiency of the local road network.
Policy TRANS -2.1
Identify new -location collector and thoroughfare street alignments in growth areas.
Strategy Ti Plan for a connected system of major and minor thoroughfares in
Development Nodes and Residential Focus Areas and include new locations facilities in the
next update the Harriett Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP).
Strategy TRANS -2.1.2: Identify new -location collector street alignments in growth areas to be
constructed with development. The following growth areas should be studied:
Employment Opportunities
1-95 Corridor Employment Corridor
US 401 Employment Corridor
The Ed -Med Corridor (US 421)
NC 87 Corridor
Development Nodes
Compacted Mixed Use areas
Municipal Extra Territorial Jurisdictions (ETJ)
Rural Centers
Residential Focus Areas
Neill's Creek Basin (west of Angier)
Medium Density Residential areas in SW Harnett
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 51
Policy TRANS -2.2
Promote access management on existing arterials.
Strategy TRANS -2.2.1: Develop/refine guidelines and incorporate standards as needed In
to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Standards should include requirements for
driveway spacing, and cross access. Applicable corridors include US 401, NC 210, NC 87, NC
24, NC 27, and NC 55,
Policy TRANS -2.3
Mitigate impacts of new development on the transportation network.
Strategy TRANS -2.3.1: Continue to require Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) and associated
concurrent public improvements or fee in lieu for large developments.
Strategy TRANS -2.4
Encourage connected streets in all new developments.
Strategy TRANS -2.4.1: Update block length maximums or other standards to encourage
smaller blocks and more connectivity in Medium Density Residential Areas and near
Development Nodes.
FIGURE 16: CONNEC IIVIIY AND BLOCK PAT IERN EXAMPLE (IN SUPPORT OF TRANS -2)
Connected streets with shorter block lengths like those in the following aerial photograph of the
mixed use community of Baxter Village in Fort Mill, South Carolina create a more walkable, pedestrian
scale environment while decreasing traffic on existing arterials.
52 : Grow Harnett county
♦ On street parking, planting strips with street trees, and sidewalks increase pedestrian safety and
comfort.
GOAL TRANS -3
Provide for multi -modal transportation options near Development Nodes and in
Residential Focus Areas of the County.
Policy TRANS -3.1
Continue to support the incorporation of pedestrian facilities in roadway improvement projects
within Residential Focus Areas and near defined Development Nodes.
Policy TRANS -3.2
Encourage the incorporation of pedestrian infrastructure in new developments within Residential
Focus Areas and near defined Development Nodes.
Policy TRANS -3.3
Promote pedestrian oriented design in Development Nodes and Residential Focus Areas of the
County. Pedestrian oriented design guidance was included in the NC 87 Corridor Study, but could
be incorporated into the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
Strategy TRANS -3.3.1: Require 5 ft sidewalks as recommended by the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) and the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).
Strategy TRANS -3.3.2: Provide guidance on when planting strips are necessary (i.e. near
Development Nodes and along key residential collectors) to improve pedestrian experience.
Strategy TRANS -3.3.3: Provide guidance on landscaping, building orientation and parking
location near Development Nodes.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 53
GOAL TRANS -4
Develop a Countywide Greenway System.
Policy TRANS -4.1
Encourage trails and greenways to be planned for and constructed by public entities or by private
entities as part of amenities for new developments.
Strategy TRANS -4.1.1: Encourage the reservation of right-of-way and construction of planned
greenways as shown on the Ecotourism Map, the Adopted Comprehensive Transportation Plan and/
or other relevant plans.
Strategy TRANS -4.1.2: Build the capacity for maintaining, improving and constructing publicly
owned greenways.
Strategy TRANS -4.1.3: Pursue funding for construction of the first section of the Cape Fear River
Greenway in the vicinity of the Government Complex Park,
Strategy TRANS -4.1.4: Develop a county -wide Greenway/Trail Master Plan or include as a
component of a Parks and Recreation Plan update or an update of the NCDOT Comprehensive
Transportation Plan. As part of this effort or as a seperate studies determine the feasibility of
greenway or rail -trail between Erwin, Coats and Angier and the feasibility of a greenway or rail -trail
west of NC 87 to Fort Bragg.
GOAL TRANS -5
Coordinate with regional and state transportation planning agencies to address
needs and advance local priorities.
Policy TRANS -5.1
Coordinate with municipalities, CAMPO, FAMPO, The Mid -Carolina RPO and NCDOT to update the
Harnett County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP).
Strategy TRANS -5.1.1: Work with CAMPO and NCDOT to clarify rights-of-way needs for existing
plans.
Strategy TRANS -5.3.1: Update CTP Roadway Element
i
Refine recommended new location roads based on recent planning efforts (i.e. Southwest Area
Study and CAMPO 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan). For instance the Angier Western
Connector (A632a in CAMPO MTP) is included as a 2040 new location project (2 lane) in the
CAMPO MTP, but not shown on the CTP (Adopted in 2013).
Strategy TRANS -5.3.2: Update CTP Transit Element
Confirm and update Park and Ride locations as needed.
54 i Grow Harnett County
Strategy TRANS -5.3.3: Update CTP Bicycle and Pedestrian Element
Refine recommended greenway connections based on priorities identified in this Plan and recent municipal planning
efforts.
Policy TRANS -5.2
Require or incentivize rights-of-way preservation for planned facilities.
FIGURE ITCAPE FEAR GREENWAY CONCEPT (IN SUPPORT OF TRANS
,a ,x'W
.MTSE TM
The first phase of the Upper Cape Fear
River Greenway could be constructed
as part of the Harnett County
Recreation Park and Fairgrounds
Complex
Proposed cross-section for Upper Cape
Fear River Greenway
Comprehensive Growth Plan 55,
I
UTILITIES GOALS
The Harnett County Department of Public Utilities provides water and/or wastewater services to the
majority of County residents (-95,000 people). The department also supplies water to Lillington,
Angier, Erwin, Coats, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Spring Lake, Linden, Johnston County, Moore
County and Fort Bragg. Recently the County entered into a revised water supply capacity agreement
with Moore County expanding Moore County's supply to 3 MGD. Current wastewater treatment
capacity totals 20.6 MGD. The North Harnett Regional wastewater treatment plant (W WTP) has a
capacity of 5.6 MGD and the South Harnett WWTP has a capacity of 15 MGD. There are plans to expand
the North Harnett W WTP from 5.6 MGD to 7.5 MGD.
The Harnett County Department of Public Utilities currently coordinates with municipalities to serve
existing customers and new development. Continued coordination will be essential to support
economic development with utility investments and planning. The Goals, policies and strategies below
are meant to guide coordination efforts between Harnett County Planning, Harnett County Public
Utilities, municipalities as well as infrastructure planning and investment decisions.
Goal UTILITY -1: Maintain and improve the efficiency of the utility system.
Goal UTILITY -2: Support the Future Land Use Plan by prioritizing funding of capacity
upgrades that have the potential to support quality development in
growth areas.
Goal UTILITY -3: Update fee structure and cost share policies as needed to
adequately fund and maintain utility system.
Goal UTILITY -4: Support economic
investments.
Goal UTILITY -5: Support
56 : Grow Harnett County
I3
ielopment goals with u
of natural gas in and rere
g and
areas.
6
UTILITIES STRATEGIES
GOAL U-1
Maintain and improve the efficiency of the utility system.
Policy U-1.1
Fund and construct recommendations identified in CIP.
Policy U-1.2
Continue to pursue consolidation of pump stations in Western Harnett County.
Policy U-1.3
Plan for efficient service provision in the Neill's Creek Basin.
Strategy U-1.3.1: Develop a long-term plan for gravity fed sewer service in the Neill's Creek Basin.
This may include determining locations of future gravity mains in sub -basins, developing cost share
estimates for future developments and supporting the acquisition of sewer easements.
GOAL U-2
Support the Future Land Use Plan by prioritizing funding of capacity upgrades that
have the potential to support quality development in growth areas.
Policy UTILITY -2.1
Provide water and sewer to priority growth areas.
Employment Opportunities
1-95 Corridor Employment Corridor
US 401 Employment Corridor
The Ed -Med Corridor (US 421)
NC 87 Corridor
Development Nodes
Compacted Mixed Use areas
Municipal Extra Territorial Jurisdictions (ETJ)
Rural Centers
Residential Focus Areas
Neill's Creek Basin (west of Angier)
Medium Density Residential at in SW Harnett
Policy U-2.2
Address long term capacity issues for Southwest Harnett County.
Strategy U-2.2.1: Fund pump station upgrades and transmission infrastructure that facilitates transfer
of wastewater from NC 87 Corridor to South Harnett W W TP.
comprehensive Growth Plan : 571
Strategy U-2.2.2: Pursue public/private cost share to fund parallel gravity main along South
Prong of Anderson Creek to serve future development.
Policy U-2.3
Limit utility expansion in areas identified as Rural Agricultural on the Future Land Use Map
Policy U-2.4
Improve water pressure to increase fire rating for residents within residential growth areas.
Goal U-3
Update fee structure and cost share policies as needed to adequately fund and
maintain utility system.
Policy U-3.1
Regularly revise fee structure, connection and reimbursement policies to assure adequate levels of
utility service.
Policy U-3.2
Continue to pursue public/private cost shares and developer agreements for reimbursement of up-
front investments in infrastructure that serves additional future development.
GOAL U-4
Support economic development goals with utility planning and investments.
Policy U-4.1
Cooperate with City of Dunn to ensure utility capacity for 1-95 corridor.
58 Grow Harnett County
Policy U-4.2
Encourage a growth pattern that maximizes return on investment.
Strategy U-4.2.1: Update easement acquisition policies to enable greater flexibility for Harnett
County to intervene on behalf of developers' to allow connections to Neill's creek basin gravity
sewer line (west of Angier).
Strategy U-4.2.2: Consider the adoption of a utility allocation policy to promote economic
development and manage limited capacity in areas where transmission capacity is limited and/
or a certain type of development is desired (i.e. non-residential).
GOAL U-5
Support the provision of natural gas in underserved areas.
Policy U-5.1
Coordinate with service providers and private stakeholders to plan for natural gas extension to
spur non-residential development in underserved areas including the NC 87 Corridor.
Strategy U-5.1.1: Work with Fort Bragg leadership to establish a natural gas connection to
underserved areas, including the NC 87 Corridor, to reduce the cost of infrastructure and spur
quality non-residential development.
Comprehensive Growth Plan 59
s.,
VW, fitt, kva P,!,
APPENDIX A: IMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTATION ACTION PLAN
®........................................................................................
I
The following table includes a subset of the strategies that represent near to medium term action items. They include a timeframe and
a list of entities involved to facilitate implementation of key portions of this plan. In addition to following the implementation matrix, the
Town should also raise awareness of the plan, and the opportunities described within it, by making presentations to local groups and
organizations and by distributing a prepared press release to area media outlets.
STRATEGY LU -1.5.1/3.2.1: Develop sm a l l -area concept plans that MEDIUM TERM Harnett County Planning Department, Economic Development
can be used to brand and market future employment, retail and (2-3 YEARS) Commission
mixed use centers as well as Illustrate access points. collector street
configurations, budding orientation and roduce ruture Jami use
comPic is.
STRATEGY LU -2.3.1: Coordinate with tax assessor to updatetax SHORTTERM Harnett County Planning Department Harnett County Tax
records and/or permit tracking software to allow for more detailed (1-2 YEARS) Assessor
reports on development approvals and building permits.
STRATEGY LU -3.3.1/3.3.2 Update design guidelines for Compact
ONGOING/
Harnett County Planning Department Planning Board. Board of
Mixed Use areas. Consider guidelines or standards similar to the
SHORT TERM
Commissioners
Highway Corridor Overlay District. Whet e applicable (i.e. near
(1-2 YEARS)
STRATEGY ED -L2: Update and strengtlien the economic development
Development Nodes), require new buildings to be located close to the
web site.
(1-2 YEARS)
street with minimal parking in front.
STRATEGY LU -5.3.1: Promote low density, context sensitive residential
MEDIUM TERM
Harnett County Planning Department, Planning Board. Board of
In the Agricultural and Rural Residential areas shown on the Future
(2-3 YEARS)
Commissioners
Land Use Map by allowing flexibility in sheet design if Rural Residential
standards are met.
l
STRATEGY LU -5.4.1: Provide printed information on land conservation
SHORTTERM
Harnett County planning Deparhnent Sandhills Area Land
or cgramsm the planning decar l ment and other county offices and
(1-2 YEARS)
Trust
through the county web page.
STRATEGY LU -5.5.1: Encrourage Vee retention through claiming MEDIUM TERM Harnett County Planning Department, Planning Board. Board of
criteria for desiynatina significant trees and updating the United (2-3 YEARS) Commissioners
Development Ordinance to include guidance on preservation.
STRATEGY LU -G.2.1: Study potentially adding an airport overlay MEDIUM TERM Harnett County Planning Department. Planning Board. Board of
district to the United Development Ordinance that minimi7e5('011otcls (2-3 YEARS) Commissioners
with Airport activities.
STRATEGY LU -7.2.1: Adopt a minimum housing code or regularly fund SHORTTERM Harnett County Planning Department Planning Board. Board of
a problem properties program. (1-2 YEARS) Commissioners
STRATEGY ED -1.1: Develop brand around cost-compeadveness.
SHORTTERM Harnett County Economic Development
1-95. proximity to Wake County and Fort Bragg ,business -friendliness.
(1-2 YEARS)
and the opportunities of a growing Campbell University and the
training resources of Central Carolina Community College.
STRATEGY ED -L2: Update and strengtlien the economic development
SHORTTERM Harnett County Economic Development
web site.
(1-2 YEARS)
STRATEGY ED -2.1: Structure a visitation program in conjunction with MEDIUM TERM Harnett Comity Economic Development
municipalities, chambers of commerce, and other partners. (2-3 YEARS)
STRATEGY ED -3.1: Develop a realistic inventory of "ready" buildings MEDIUM TERM Harnett County Economic Develooment
and sites based on a "CeUmed- model. (2-3 YEARS)
STRATEGY ED -3.2: Partner with County and municipal utility MEDIUM TERM Harriett County Economic Development
providers to accurately establish current utility availability to targeted (2-3 YEARS)
sites.
62 . Grow Harnett County
APPENDIX A: IMPLEMENTATION
.................................................................................00....0
STRATEGY ED -4.2: Evaluate the creation of a public-private MEDIUM TERM Harnett County Economic Development
partnership that would jointly fund and adminiser the County (2-3 YEARS)
economic development eHor(.
STRATEGY NR -2.2.2: Consider utilizing the N.0 Wildlite SHORTTERM Harriett County Planning Department
Commission Conservation Green Growth Toolbox during the (1-2 YEARS)
development review Process by requiring the creation of project
specific maps (by star( or applican) using 1 he North Carolina
Natural Heritage Data Explorer or available GIS data.
STRATEGY NR -2.3.3: Revise UDO to specify priority
conservation areas that should be set aside as open space in
Compatibility Developments.
STRATEGY NR -2.4.1: Consider an upland open space
requirement or incentive (i.e. additional density bonuses) Zied to
conserve priority wildlife habitats such as longleaf pine forests in
the Southwestern Harnett CDT A.
STRATEGY NR -3.1.1/ 3.1.2: Develop additional canoe and kayak
access points on the Upper Little River and on the Cape Fear
River.
MEDIUM TERM Harnett County Planning Department. Planning Board, Board of
(2-3 YEARS) Commissioners
MEDIUM TERM Harnett County Planning Department, Planning Board, Board of
(2-3 YEARS) Commissioners, N C WlId life Reset rtes Cc mmission, NC Depar anent
of Environment and Natural Resources
MEDIUM TERM Harnett County Parks& Recreation Denartnienr
(2-3 YEARS)
STRATEGY NR -3.3.1: Coardinatewri, non -r its, Dunn Tourism SHORTTERM Harnett County Parks Recreation Department, Dunn Tourism
and local businesses to develop a map and/or guidebook for (1-2 YEARS)
paddling the Cape Fear River
STRATEGYNR-4.1.1:1-ocate new park facilities in under -served
MEDIUM TERM
Harnett County Parks & Recreation Department
sectors.
(2-3 YEARS)
STRATEGY TRANS -1.1.1: Support completion of US 40i Bypass
MEDIUM TERM
Harnett County Planning Department, Capital Area Metropolitan
Study or a new study focused on identifying a cost -feasible
(2-3 YEARS)
Planning Organization, North Carolina Department of Transportation
project that improves the connection between Harnett County
and Wake County, so cl5cally US 401 to 1-540.
STRATEGY TRANS -2.1.2: Identity new -location collector street
MEDIUM TERM
Harnett County Planning Department, Capital Area Metropolitan
alignments In growth areas to he constructed with development.
(2-3 YEARS)
Planning Orgaroation (CAMPO), Fayetteville Area Metropolitan
Planning OrganlZatton(FAMPO)-Mid-Carolina Rural Planning
Organization, North Carolina Department of Transportation f
STRATEGY TRANS -4.1.2: Build the capacity for maintaining.
MEDIUM TERM
Harnett County Planning Department, Parks & Recreation
improving and constructing publicly owned greenways.
(2-3 YEARS)
Department
STRATEGY TRANS -4.1.3: Pursue funding tol riatsecion of
MEDIUM TERM
Harnett County Planning Department. Parks & Recreation
Cape Fear River Greenway near Cillingmn.
(2-3YEARS)
Depaloneni
STRATEGY TRANS -5.3: Coordinate with muni ipalires, CAMPO,
SHORTTERM
Harnett County Planning Department, Capital Area Metropolitan
FAMPO. The Mid -Carolina RPO and NCDOT to update the
(1-2 YEARS)
Planning Organization, North Carolina Department of Transportation
Harnett County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP)-
STRATEGY UTILITY -2.2.1: Fund pump station upgrades and
SHOR77ERM
Harnett County Public Utilities
transmission infrastructure that facilitates transfer of wastewater
(1-2 YEARS)
from NO 87 Corridor to South Harnett W W TP.
STRATEGY UTILITY -4.2: Update easement acquisition policies SHORTTERM Harnett County Public Utilities
to allow for greater tlexiblhty so that Harnett County can (1-2 YEARS)
intervene on behalf of developersto allow co undo zIn by to He i l l's
creek basin gravity sewer line (west of Angier).
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 63
66 : Grow Harnett County
Comprehensive Growth Plan Appendix67
68 i Grow Harnett County
SCENARIO PLANNING
..................................................................................0.....
Scenario planning is a method to learn about the future of a county. In this process, a
GIS -based land use model was constructed using CommunityViz, a software extension to
ArcGIS Desktop created by Placeways LLC. The land use model was developed to examine
the probable distributions of households and employment locations in 2040 based on the
availability and suitability of land and varying land use policies.
The number of projected homes and jobs in 2040
were held constant between all scenarios. A trend or
Business -As -Usual scenario was developed to represent
what the County would look like in 2040, given current
trends and policy. Alternative scenarios, based on
Harnett County's goals and input from the Technical
and Advisory Committee, were developed as alternative
paths to the current course of growth and development.
FIGURE 4: SCENARIO PLANNING
SCENARIO PLANNING PROCESS
Data Model
Collection Development
a K
OO
wa
oZ .
DEVELOP
GOALS/OBJECTIVES
Scenario
Development
BUSINESS -
AS -USUAL
Potential impacts of growth (positive and negative)
were measured for all of the scenarios using a set
of indicators. The preferred scenario, or Future
Land Use Plan was developed to maximize priority
indicators. See the following pages for maps of
forecasted homes and jobs for each scenario and
indicator results.
Scenario
Analysis
SCENARIOi
PERFORMANCE
OF SCENARIOS US-
ING INDICATORSALT *-
DETERMINE
COMPONENTS OF
• FUTURE LAND USE
CONCEPT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Preferred Scenario
Development
FUTURE
USE CONCEPT
RECOMMENDATIONS
...................
Comprehensive Growth Plan Appendix. 69
ALTERNATIVE GROWTH PATTERNS
The Future Land Use Concept graphically represents
a county -wide vision of the future. The process
to develop this Concept began with an evaluation
of the Business -as -Usual trendline. Based on
feedback received from the public and the Advisory
Committee, three alternative scenarios were created
to analyze the potential impacts of growth (both
positive and negative) on the County.
Each scenario includes assumptions regarding land
use policy changes and infrastructure investment
choices that result in alternative development
patterns. These development patterns are shown
in the maps below. The forecasted impacts of the
alternative scenarios are summarized in the report
card on the opposite page.
Business As Usual Scenario (BAU)
Strong Towns (ST)
Natural Assets Scenario (NA)
Preferred Scenario (PS)
DISTRIBUTION OF GROWTH
Each scenario llusttates how growth respon.s to aiifeient land use. transpoi talon. econC�ic development and inti astru<ture
policies.
70 : Grow Harnett County
GROW
Harnett
SCENARIO PLANNING REPORT CARD COUNTY
STRONG ROOTS
NEW GROWTH
...........................................................................................
Total Homes Forecasted
Total Jobs Forecasted
Acres of prime industrial lands
Acres of Office and Industrial Lands
Working lands impacted
New Students
Number of new homes in High Noise Zones
Number of new homes in 500ft Fly Zone'
Number of new homes in 1000ft Fly Zone'
Acres of critical to conserve lands impacted by new development
Acres of important to conserve lands impacted by new development
Acres of prime agriculture lands impacted by new development
Acres of forest impac led by new development
Acres of new impervious surface in critical watersheds"
Acres of natural assets impacted
Number of new homes near Priority Habitat Corridors
Number of new homes near Smoke Awareness Areas
Number of new homes adjacent to Significant Natural Heritage Ateas
Wildlife habitat impacted
Number of new homes in municipal limits
Urban Footprint
Number of new homes in utility focus areas
Number of new jobs in utility focus areas
Utility Demand inside utility focus areas -
Utility Demand outside utility focus areas"'
Number of new homes within a 10 -minute drive of health care facility
Number of new homes within a 10 -minute walk of an existing school
30,558 30.558 Q 30.558 0 30,558 Q
22.783 22.783 ® 22,783 0 22.783 Q
15,593 15.593 Q 15,593 0 15,593 Q
11.510 17,300 11,510 Q 16.920
38,837 25.946 ® 25.405 40 30782
9.784 9.784 B 9.784 Q 9,784 0
148 14 17 14 40
455 100 ® 8 10 102 •
1,627 556 570 40 651 40
3.330 1.370 1,410 0 1,800
22.700 6.230 16 12.200 0 11,450
38.837 25,946 0 25.405 0 30.782
36.750 24.334 40 22.793 0 28.233 40
262 90 ® 45 0 75 40
40,526 24,716 0 21,862 0 28,760 41
1,185 458 0 336 0 507 0
358 41 0 55 0 58
1.893 1.440 0 467 4D 1,440
23,109 16,816 0 8.448 0 16,205
2,782 5.098 0 1.021 0 4,262 40
92,260 67.570 0 62.290 0 77,110 41
17.907 25.539 0 30,024 0 26.627
22.574 24.090 0 25.006 0 24,313
7,862.850 9.998,250 0 11,256,900 0 10,303,700
3,491.750 1,376.150 4D 135.150 0 1,025.750 40
4,153 7.936 3.236 0 6,231
3,725 4.834 0 4,760 0 4.922 0
'FL_ohr 6ufrec 500; t and 1000; t Flight Zones noon RI UAC Telecommunications Tower Studv 200&
"Critical Watersheds inclucle Water Supply V✓etersheds Leell-111 and High Quality Waters
... Mhty rbcus area denied by areas that are mrrenny o, easily served or •.voter and sewer
O_
r
Worse than
Business AS
Less than 10%
change from
Business As
Usual
•
1
Significant
Improvement
Compared to
Business As
•
Best
Improvement
Compared to
Business As
BAU
Business As Usual
ST
Strong Towns
NA
Natural Assets
PS
Preferred
Scenario
Comprehensive Growth Plan Appendix: 71
STATE OF THE COUNTY
C Y C. C C V C Y C C. C C. C CO
p. .... . 0. . . p
STRONG ROOTS
NEW GROWTH .............................
Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................................................1
COMMUNITYPROFILE.........................................................................................................................................................2
HOUSINGAND HOUSEHOLDS.........................................................................................................................................4
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT..............................................................................................................................................5
LANDUSE..................................................................................................................................................................................7
SPECIESAND HABITATS....................................................................................................................................................12
PARKSAND RECREATION..............................................................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................................................16
Introduction
A Plan for Harnett'S Future
Harnett has experienced exceptional growth over the oast
two decades. From a population of just 68.000 in 1990.
to a 2013 population estimate of 124.987 residents, the
County has evolved from a rural, agriculture community
to a diverse location within the Fort Bragg region of North
Carolina. Harnett's location and relatively low cost of living
continue to draw thousands of residents to Its boundaries.
Harnett looks forwa•d to continued growth. The Count's
proximity to Raleigh and Fayetteville and the Highway
87 and 1-95 corridors make Harnett County a desirable
location for residents, Rusin esses. antl industry. Local
leaders recognize that, for Harnett County to capitalize on
this market oDoortunit y. an update to the Comprehensive
Plan was needed.
w Now will this growth shape Harnett's identity?
POPULATION GROWTH AND PROJECTIONS
84%
v What bold moves can the County make to ensure that the I INCREASE I
rural character remains while providing for new residents
joining the community?
v How can the County continue to support strong and safe
neighborhoods and thriving businesses?
ii� What does it take to position Harnett for continued success?
This planning process Is designed to work with the 11=n000rmefe
community to answer these questions, develop a widely -
supported vision and identify the investments needed to
realize that vision for the County.
32% n'
I INCREASE I
SWaCE uC OrnCE Or S1aiEeufGf I RIDrcucFENEY.I MO:ECi N5
GREAT PLANS transform communities into GREAT PLACES.
Harnett has a long-standing tradition of preparing plans to help guide growth and development decision in the community. The results of the more recent pupils
will'inform the update of the Harnett Comprehensive Plan.
Harnett County Neill's Creek
Land Use Plan Land Use
Study
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Regional
Growth US 401
management
Strategy Corridor
for the
Unified Fort Bragg
Development Region
Ordinance
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
1
NC 87
Regional
Parks and Multimodal
Recreation Corridor
Master Plan Mobility Plan
An initial step in the planning process is an examination and assessment of the existing conditions. This report summarizes information about the County
gathered through input from various citizens and stakeholders; a review of data, policies and regulations; and observations. The conclusion section at the
end of this report highlights the key Issues and opportunities to be addressed by the updated Comprehensive Plan.
GROW HARNETT COUNTY SW011HF COU6iY r
Community Profile
POPULATION GROWTH
Harnett has experienced exceotional growth over the past two decades, from
a 000ulation of just 68,000 in 1990- The County has evolved from a rural,
agriculture community to a diverse location within the Fort Bragg region of
North Carolina. The estirnated 2013 population of Harnett is 124,987. 1 his is an
increase of 84% since 1990. Anticipated growth is expected to increase the
County peculation by 46% by 2040.
HISTORIC GROWTH
140,000 124,907
120000 115]09
100000 91,393
80 000 68.030
60 000
40 000
20,000
0
1990 2000 2010 2013
1¢1117r - l `S i0.- 5f_v 5ut o"r ui
GROWTH COMPARISONS
DID YOU KNOW?
From 2010¢013, [Venrvorr
wwmrvmTn r4.. .-rc:nmv
In' N— 1H Cexol.mn.
250.000
200.000 182.889
160712
138,799
150.000 124,987
115.789
91.393
100.000
68 030
50,000
0
1990 2000 2010 2013 2020 2030 2040
From 2000 to 2010, Harnett County grew by nearly 27%. 1 he most recent
IGROWTH RATES BY COMPARISON 2000-2013
population figures indicate that Harnett s growCn will continue to outpace
35'
regional, state and national rates.30`
30.5•
GROWTH RATE COMPARISONS, 2000-2013
5`
199`
YEAR HARNETT LEE RE
2013 12498] 60,266 1 JOHNSTON177,96] 1 66817 1 325.8]1 CUMBERLAND 9,848060'
0`
2010 115 726 57,904 169613 63764 320,246 9,559,533
10 7•
10`
2000 91,393 49482 113 279 49.240 303.755 0,081,614
0
2010-2013 80` 4x d9` 48' 18` 30•
0•
20002010 266` 17 C' 376• 20 I' 54` 183`
Farren County Irl"Carolina
United States
GROW HARNETT COUNTY 51=lF OF IHt COhFTY 2
Community Profile
MEN
AGE (2013)
Harnett County has a young population. I Ce median age is 33-5 in Harnett,
over four years lower than the state median age. Harnett does not have a large
older age peculation dependency ratio, but there are a larger pr000rtion of
children that are dependent on the working copHlation
0-4 5-19 20-64 65+
9,441 27,141 69,689 12,522
7.9` 22.8* 58.7` 10.5`
AGE
DEMOGRAPHIC
UNITED STATES
COMPARISONS,
2013
86%
High5cMal
Median Age
HARNETT
35
3
LEE
1 371 1
JOHNSTON 37
a1_B
CUMBERLAND
309
NC
1 376
OW Age DepArdency Ratio
171
_23.31
I7A
3x5
"a
21.3
Child Dependency Ratio
as a
42.7
44.3
361
417
376
Coate in Young Working
165`
57`
169`
0.5`
-Ro`
3.0`
Population (2000 2013)
11
A0`
1��
124
The young working age population in Harnett County has been growing at
a rate of 16.5% from 2000 to 2013Thismeans that the county is attracting
the portion of the population that can drive innovation and investment in the
economy, Many areas are struggling to keep their young workers around. so
SOURCE AVER CANCOVVOH IY CHHHEY 2.09 Un 3 this is an encouraging sign for Harnett County.
EDUCATION (2000-2013)
EDUCATION ATTAINMENT (2013)
4& AOW OW
HARNETT COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
UNITED STATES
84.4%
84.9%
86%
High5cMal
High School
Hig115cM1ool
Graduate or Higher
Graduate or Higher
Gradua:eor ar
18.5%
27.3%
28.8%
Bachelor Degree
Bachelor s Degree
Bachelor Degree
or higher
or Higher
or Higher
70`
SOURCE'. AVER CANCOVVUN. IY SURVEY
2003-N13.USCENSUS BUREAU
RACE AND ETHNICITY (2013)
RACE AND ETHNICITY
2000
2010
%CHANGE
WHITE
61714
82.467
27 US
BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN
20 art
24,969
21.9'
AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE
291
1,060
335'
ASIAN
591
126A
113 9 -
NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND OTHER PACIFIC
ISLANDER
N
6
.902`
TWO OR MORE RACES 1430 aH5 I878'
HISPANIC OR LATINO 5.336 13.213 1176'
SOURCE AYER C4N COVNUN TY SURVEY 200320 3, US C EUSUS BUREAU
EDUCATION ATTAINMENT AVERAGES SINCE 2000
100`
90`
84.9`
BA E`
Bo`
IS` 20.1`
BOA`
70`
60`
50`
11
A0`
1��
124
12731
10.
® I
1
'
1,
208`
Harriet, Norm
United
Harnett
Norm
Unuad
Carolina
states
Carolina
States
2000
2013
High SrppU Graduate
.,HEaer
Bachelor, Degree ar
Higher
SOURCE
AVER CAN CO
VNUN TY SURVEY Ini SO USCENSUS
BUREAU
MINORITY POPULATION COMPARISONS, 2011
100%
90%
BO%
20%
60%
50%
10%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Harnett Lee Johnston ChAham Cumbedanrl He
White Man Hepar, Pupulaurn ON.RWFhVP0Q.1atoF
SOURCE AVER CAN CONYUN TV SURVEY 2M9-20 3, US CENSUS BUREAU
GROW HARNETT COUNTY S 1 L1 c 0 F I HF COUIJ V 3
Households and Housing
HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION HOUSING UNITS
As the bedridden has increased so has the number of households in the county. The average
household size and average family size are higher in Harnett County compared to neignboring
counties. These rales are also growing for Harnett County.
SOURCE US CULSO"UREAU. AVER CAH COVVU" ra SURVEY 2M9 2013
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
JOBS TO HOUSING RATIO
Harnett County has a low lob to housing ratio meaning that the County is becoming a bedroom
community for other counties at a higher rate than local county jobs are being created.
JOHNSTONJOBS PER HOUSING UNIT COMPARISON, 2013
HARNETT LEE
Jobs 22,452 2a152 42,591 Ia 095 117,629 3.92a,9a0
Housing Unia 42,381 24,112 60000 20,964 138,362 a,3a9,023
JobsNMs Ratio 042 101 0.63 049 085 091
SOURCE CENTER FOR HE CHBORFOOD TECHNOLOGY
GROW HARNETT COUNTY SIAI F OI Thi, COUNTY J
SOURCE AVER CANCOVVUN IVSURVEV 2009 2013. USCENSUSBUREAU.
$46,334 $44,625 $53,046
w16Hg5E6.Y lR+vDRrcACE
HARNETT COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA UNITED STATES
32,235
3,411
1,414
SINGLE FAMILY
UNITS
APARTMENTS
TOWNHOUSES
OR DUPLEXES
HOUSING MARKET COMPARISON
23%
$132,600
$1,228
INCREASEIN
UNTTS2000-2013
MEDIAN
HOME VALUE
MEDIAN MONTHLY
HOUSINGCOSTS'
Elmo
up
OWN VS RENT
in both housing and transportation costs provides a more
2.8%
comprehensive way of thinking about the cost of housing
HOUSING MAR KCT COMPARISONS, 2013
VACANCY RATE
RENT
OWNY
Median Mortgage $1128 51136 1115a 41458 $1.215 $1,281
47%
Median Fent $756 $686 $228 8224 $853 U $726
Awn PL
MOVED INTO
THE IFHOMES
SamerO[Cupied 31.8% 30.9% 28 A% 201% a5.2% 336%
FROM2000.2009
JOBS TO HOUSING RATIO
Harnett County has a low lob to housing ratio meaning that the County is becoming a bedroom
community for other counties at a higher rate than local county jobs are being created.
JOHNSTONJOBS PER HOUSING UNIT COMPARISON, 2013
HARNETT LEE
Jobs 22,452 2a152 42,591 Ia 095 117,629 3.92a,9a0
Housing Unia 42,381 24,112 60000 20,964 138,362 a,3a9,023
JobsNMs Ratio 042 101 0.63 049 085 091
SOURCE CENTER FOR HE CHBORFOOD TECHNOLOGY
GROW HARNETT COUNTY SIAI F OI Thi, COUNTY J
SOURCE AVER CANCOVVUN IVSURVEV 2009 2013. USCENSUSBUREAU.
$46,334 $44,625 $53,046
w16Hg5E6.Y lR+vDRrcACE
HARNETT COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA UNITED STATES
HOUSING AND
SOURCE APER CAN COPMUN I YSURVEV 2009. X113
TRANSPORTATION COSTS
HOUSING MARKET COMPARISON
Ladltional nlewles of housing affordability ignore
transportation costs. lyoically a household's second -
Over two-thirds of housing units in Harnett County are occupied by owners. This rate is slightly
largestexpenditure, transportation costs are largely
higher than the state average. Harnett County s home values and mortgage/rent prices are in "the
function of the c unity of jobs and housing. Factoring
middle of the road" compared to neighboring counties. From 2010 to 2013, the median home value
in both housing and transportation costs provides a more
increased by over $9,000, double the state average.
comprehensive way of thinking about the cost of housing
HOUSING MAR KCT COMPARISONS, 2013
and true affordability.
HARNETT LEE JOHNSTON CHATHAM CUMBERLAND No
Median Home Value i 5132,600 SI31300 9al20O $21LAOO 5128.100 I $153.600
Median Mortgage $1128 51136 1115a 41458 $1.215 $1,281
Median Fent $756 $686 $228 8224 $853 U $726
Awn PL
Owner O[mped 682% 691% 21.6% 299% 5J8% 66 a%
SamerO[Cupied 31.8% 30.9% 28 A% 201% a5.2% 336%
JOBS TO HOUSING RATIO
Harnett County has a low lob to housing ratio meaning that the County is becoming a bedroom
community for other counties at a higher rate than local county jobs are being created.
JOHNSTONJOBS PER HOUSING UNIT COMPARISON, 2013
HARNETT LEE
Jobs 22,452 2a152 42,591 Ia 095 117,629 3.92a,9a0
Housing Unia 42,381 24,112 60000 20,964 138,362 a,3a9,023
JobsNMs Ratio 042 101 0.63 049 085 091
SOURCE CENTER FOR HE CHBORFOOD TECHNOLOGY
GROW HARNETT COUNTY SIAI F OI Thi, COUNTY J
COMMUNITY COMPARISON:
EMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
According to 2009-2013 American Community Survey estimates, there were
over 45,000 people employed in Harnett County. The majority of these jobs are I UNEMPLOYMENT RATES'
In moderate -paying, local -serving industries. While important to the economy, 16 '
these industries don't drive growth. but instead follow it, 4
11Il,-.IIA._11.,
IN � _los.1
- Ma"OhneenL easmeaa.1cior ,andAna e
6 53 0
-Ir4Jr Sales and OlLro -
• service 1
■ Proratiion, Turacartalion, aM Malarial ..vel 0
Natural 1004 1005 2006 )00] 1,0013 3009 1010 1011 1014 2013 1014
13 Res-cV, Conslndrun.mm Mainlen.1le
- Harnett County Lee County — Abnsom County— Cumberland County — North Barbieri I
SOURCE AVER CAN COYMUM TY SURVEY 2009103 SOURCE BUREAU OF ABOR S.c15t SS
EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY TOP EMPLOYERS
Government f - 5,568 $51,107 r 'la] �I: i)P�;�3I11A:CI'"; ltl toll
Retail Trade 3,634 S18,734 jT•1'. o•..R,S ID IIAe >I' Y, w,. YTa
Health Care add Social Assistance 1,501 S33826
HARNETT COUNTY SCHOOLS 2,u1
Acmmmotlation and Fred Servires i 1.300 S13 837
Conumuldid f 1.,19 $47,177
HARNETT HEALTH SYSTEM 1,050
ManotaCturirg 1,314 $46,113
EmcmiOrral Services 1105 45,061 HARNETT COUNTY GOVERNMENT 887
Admiq Waste Mgml antl Prou atmn 813 IN 077
Transool,minam warenduemg Set S,1,090 FOOD LION DISTRIBUTION CENTER
88
Wholesale Trade 468 55191,
cool.. Sonmd¢ and Lech Services : 476 4,9763 CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY 750
Flwnce add Insurance a54 $53,570
Other Services(ercept Public Ad mini 450 $30168 HARNETT CORR 110 NA L FAC I L ITY 361
Information 373 $53,169
I
Crop am Animal EnNuuian 157 $34, VS EDWARDS BROTHERS 100
Real Estate, Renlal and Leasing 113 $30578
III mCompaNesand Enterprises n5 Lan F47 WAL-MART 170
Ans. Entero inmem and Rxreaudn :US SU770
Holum, 11.4 VC31V CA RLIE C'S IDA 165
Minirq.OuanNrg.Oil and Gas Extraction m AJ033 �
or i. Ir s, a. s• sp rsap0p arooma
SAAB BARRACUDA 167
1013 Lobs AVem9e Eamirss(2013)
SOURCE ECONOM C voBELNG SPEC AL SIS H7ERFrT ONAL sobpa Hnm1ET1<WU1vEa
RETAIL LEAKAGE
In retail. leakage occurs when members of a community spend money outside that community or when rnoney spent Inside that community is transferred outside
the community. Harnett County loses potential sales in a variety of categories, including the following'.
1
I
I I
GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORES P FFURNIS FURNISHING
ST NOME ® ELECTRONICS AND
�t FURNISHING STORES APPLIANCE STORES
CLOTHING AND CLOTHING MOTOR VEHICLE SPORTING GOODS, NOBBY,
ACC55SORIES STORES AND PARTS DEALERS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AND
BOOKSTORES
SOURCE ECOI:JV C LEGOEREJ PEST V e:ES S-ELOON ECOFM V C VOGEL NG SPEC -L SIS NiEAN-T OVAL (20 5) -HELI$ III Or ECONON'C ANALYS S120 Is
GROW HARNETT COUNTY 51^ 1 t 01 1 HE FULL. 11 5
LOCATION QUOTIENTS BY INDUSTRY
Location quotient (LO) is a valuable way of quantifying how concentrated a particular industry, cluster, occupation, or demographic group is in a
region as compared to the nation. It can reveal what makes a particular region "unique" in comparison to the national average. In Harnett County the
arts, entertainment, and recreation sector saw the greatest increase in location quotient (LQ) from 2008 to 2013. As a result. Harnett has comparative
advantage in the following sectors:
CROP AND ANIMAL RETAILTRADE CONSTRUCTION GOVERNMENT EDUCATIONAL
PRODUCTION SERVICES
i LOCATION QUOTIENTS BY INDUSTRY -
08
OArts, Entertainment and Recreation
06
0a
m Other Services (except Public Administration)
O^ Educational Services
xr
0.2 Government
i
o O v
� I
0
o
n Utilities
o Construction
................................... _.......................................................................
.a o.o.......................0.......
.. ........
N •
o O O Health Care and Social Assistance
O
02 O
Admin, Waste Management and Remediation
OTransportation and Walehousing
oa O
Mining, Quarrying and Oil and Gas Extraction
O
06 125
0.0 0.2 Oa 0.6 08 10 1.2 1< 1.6 18 20 22 34 26
2013 Location Quotient Change
GROW HARNETT COUNTY s141 OI THi COli 6
Laind Use
@(so
COUNTY POLICIES MUNICIPAL POLICIES ZONING ORDINANCE
The Future Land Use map, Ealm muniumseli, In Harnett The Zoning Map Includes
adopted In 1999 represents County also has land use a d,"Netan of zoning
an volving vi on lar the policies that are appllca ble d1 icls that regulate the use
County add will be updated within municipal limits and of properly for the purpases
during the Comprehensive as Gained as extra at pmlectOg public nealtb
Pian Update processterritorial udsdicllons(Eu) sel emceri, values, and
the general welfare of the
community
REAL PROPERTY VALUE EXISTINGLANDUSE
V
O6T lllb,ll6,990
Agncultuml and Vacant
15.2` 55,158,99A,S]7
Single Family Resitlen T
11 $858,821,211
Multifamily and Mobile Xomes
07.1` $889,192,111
Commerlal
01.8' $122,139,]90
Industrial
l]2.6• $1]8.580,565
I] fhcegnstltanonal
ISSUES
901g+
000 0000
STRONG RESIDENTIAL GROWTH
0 SAN 'ahs and Open space
D 21.1` Agricultural
5.9` Vacant
50.6* IResidential
69' Single FAnilly Residential
0 02` Mull}Family Resld anal
C S.T Mobile Homes
0 O.E. Commercial
0 0.91 Off ,, Iml.tnonnat Gaaermmenl
•
1.3. unknown o tr n
SOURCE HAIL Coduty LAo- PARCEL DATA
`26�1 Ill
Eft�rJ
�Il
O O"Ill
1 O
\T
TRAFFIC
INFRASTRUCTURE
LACK OF FUNDING
IMBALANCE IN
PRESERVING
LOSS OF OPEN
CONGESTION
NEEDS
FOR SERVICES
TAX BASE
LAND FOR NON•
SPACE, FARMLAND
A(REsmENTIAL Vs.
N-RESIDENTIAL)
past
RESIDENTIAL AND
AND FORESTS
EMPLOYMENT USES
EXISTING LAND USE MAP
_ ,: s I
o "far
-
f
6xlsnNG uxo us6 rynoul % -.ix r p
�O.ascuy e �� c sill V .. D
i sal Vn asM1 ,3, // f r •3 t�J AMYYJ
;y Iii A.,.
'f if
Ni
o.'DARE,je T h�l
�l nor5.r�..e�u+�r. ce IT
is, ,e..
r /
(eh.Res
GROW HARRI COUNTY
SIA, i OF, FIE COUI.I`r 7
HARNETT'S COMMUTE
O 30.3 MINUTES
AVERAGE WORK COMMUTE
r-01oAfO I' � E _
84.6% 9.8%
OFWORKERS CARPOOL
DRIVE ALONE
0 TRANSPORTATION TRENDS
cab
1.3% In suburban areas like Harnett County drive further distances for daily activity. this drives no the cost
WORK AT WALKED/ TRANSIT/ of living. The majority of Harnett residents currently travel Outside the County for employment.
NOME BIKED OTHER
K y
I&'$14,251 1.94 tI/li1D`3IT1 f
26Q8
29
5AVERAGEANNUAL AVERAGE NUMBER AVERAGEHOLD��
/(t TRANSPORTATION COSTS OFAUTOMOBILES VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED
(CAP OWNERSHIP, TAXE54N0 PER HOUSEHOLD PER YEAR
REGISTRATION, MAINTENANCE,
SOURCE AVER CANCOSHUN IV SURVEY 2009-2013 AND TRAVELS EXPENSES)
PER HOUSEHOLD
'SOUkCE CEFTER FOR HE LHBORHDOD IECEHRELOGY
ROADWAY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS
'I here are 1,852 miles of roadway in Harnett County. Even with recent 335RI31M. "'ED
improvements, including the NC 87 upgrade, as well as the projects that are LS+II:D (iLL amm
planned, significant needs exist. iI-InInglon Stem sidewalk Angler S54,000under Corearunlon¢AMPowwlurpl
r
IWnlow&Roy street sl0ewalk connections Angler 8192,000Urth Cmtuuclion(CAMP01APPfiMs)I
l
Ray Road sidewalks Harnett toun[yl TED In NC STIP ,
SOURCE NCDOI.CCNPD,Y D -CAROL NA -,PO FANPO
ew Dame= It=
to OTHER PRIORITY PROJECTS
1 I
R-2529 NC 2A/27 Widening COUnty Line to He B], Widen to runinanes $120.100 Unfunded
FY 2015 1AY111WL'IAluLawS'La1�tc/
U-3465 Ray Road Widening'. NC 210 to Ovemillz Road £29.726 201]
I
R-2609 US 401 Widening /. Fayetteville to Wake County $223600 Unfunded NC SS Witlening JICaNIa Rd to Raw is Church Rd $11.996 20x0
Bypass (Wake COonly)
115133 195 Corridor Study South Carolina to Virginia $6,400N[SS Widening Wake County Line to Church $6,289 2030
'
'hoar
1-4906 1-95 Pavement Cumberland County to Johnston County 4U25 Fy 2015 Angler Weatem Connector NO 15 IS of Angier) to Rawls $9.710 2000
Ronalamation 2D1g Church Rd
Widen to Mul0-Lanes and
'I-951merchorme Unca; NC 210 Worming Eondnce Corridor from Highway T00 Unwnded
R-5526 Imo -ardent Jonesboro Road Interchange A]o0 Con#ructlon 401 in U11ingmn to Highway 67 in
Spring Wke
Hornell Central Realign Henden Central road at US 401 and WlUen to MUlli Lanes in ln<IutlP
R-5523 Road Realignment efland Neil Smith Road $I.s99 FV 2015 US 421 Witicning Turning Lanu from Ear City TIED Unt"Ide0
umd m Do- Erwin Road
SOURCE HKOOLCAPICE11G VERDE NA ant)" IFF Widen to MAIL -Lannsand
u$421 Wldenln9 Enhance Corridor from ull'mgton TED Unfunded
to Sanford
sDDR<E Norm. CFYPO. 1.0-CAHOU UA RPD.r..PD
GROW HARNETT COUNTY SIAn Of I4000IOTY c
i
COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN HIGHWAY ELEMENT
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES
MUNICIPALITIES
•• Bu RONe R�
Blryd R..re
EtlM, Greenway
— SNewalx EtisWg
SHewalk Nealy 1ngMe l
.. Grt nway RAovmmoMeU
GROW HARNETT COUNTY 11CI1 O=IFF COU;.IY 9
IM=1 Resources
NATURAL RESOURCE ISSUES
WATER
QUALITY
Urban spronewiter
and agri alas
n�( wnil
or UJes iedimenl
and Chemicals neve
pnfpnpnately polwtad
ane imron ed many
regi In Harnett
County. Low loped
development Him
te<nnagpey such as
refnding impervious
nuryar, and retaining
vegetated dnardn
bbeaml FCffc,e an
help improve water
hardly,
WATER
ACCESS
The cape Fee, Pme,
and Upper Little
Fiver otter creat
opporturI for
modym. ", and
Improved canoe/kayak
Ii could .11—
ii ..
11owgreater rads, to these
radial resou¢es.
NATURAL RESOURCES
ACTIVE
RECREATION
Harnett County Park
H Recreation partners
with local. stale ane
letlerat agencies with
the goal of pwedid,
cordin
recreation antl leisure
pubertal for all
cuhens. Five county
parks are maintained,
whim havea variety
Of anis recreation
IaoLtd-Including
bkOde Acenell
s. emsr wharf, rood:,
a disc Boll course
and playgrounds.
Additional facilities
wnl be needed as me
county grows.
PASSIVE
RECREATION
Harnett court,
Parks a Re°dation
maintains two pricy
with passive recreation
opportunities
(Anderson Geek Park
and cape Fear Rorer
TradPark). Reserving
lana to. additional
ployd
atlon
and am eros (hanks
Parks. bedsr ane
greenways) ell be
Important to preserving
the gueety of life lu
Harnett County.
FOREST
AND FARM
PRESERVATION
Farmiane ane sel
contribute to lho
'Co..,panty of n,r.
county's mist area:.
Ines atm mnfrmcdc
over $Soo onflum m
,wine adds,' iomom
to me local economy.
Resmsnaal grown in
rural ar sani e s
„velopment p res spac
and threaten the
viability of agricultural
area umber modoctlm..
SPECIES
PRESERVATION
IDs Cane Fear shiner.
the Red Cockaded
wane pecker, ane
the Rough-Leavetl
seso-ne are federal,
Chianti species
that Can Harnett
County home In
action ]x types
of species are rued
as Federal species
of cancer.. Clean
water, am Connected
wildlife mwido,, and
habitats are essential to
oreeerving blodlvi
z; r
day—
e
CULTURAL RESOURCES
Harnett County has a rich history and
is home to a number of significant
cultural resources that help to define
the county's identity and provide
unique tourism destinations. These
destinations include the Averasboro
Civil War Battlefield and Musi
the Coats Cotton Museum, the Coats
History Museum, the General William
C. Lee Airborne Museum, and the
Gourd Museum. Historic structures.
including the Historic Summerville
Presbyterian Church, the Old oll
Church, and thea, Campbell House
combine with historic downtowns and
rolling agricultural lands to create a
beautiful landscape with deep rents.
GHOW HARNETi COUNTY FT'l F ClF f lir CCUIJ l IU
BIODIVERSITY AND HABITAT
GROWTH PRESSURE
GROW HARNM COUNTY
Sl A I F OF T Hr COUr, 1) 11
Species and Habitats
SPECIES
IMPORTANCE OF RARE SPECIES
it'smportant to protect the whole ( f p - to.. ' In yf bereeM3rgered Spec Ps o<n r. Wnen comrec[ed ecosYSfems
are answered we IXaware the !orifi . decline of unittiedp i sMtl Local l C o'eargercw Spec es that Could NwLgd, further
Inner Ender spe[wca n c tl iglthat ounuWral landscapes are in trouble which can be
rpor l antldhumanwclfareandlielm, jWWo recrvrg Tculeuelleitage. 5o(egoaMxgrare We eu tiailangblcbemfitslolanoanr
"Ampemrnmy. For example water treatment costs exile cted by)o%for every 10% of forest or native grassland in the evatershM
CFPE FEPR SH NEp
BIRDS
le Bachmann sparrow (Peewee aestivels)'. Special Concern(also a Federal Species on Concern)
F Bald could(Haliaeem, lemensphaluU: Threatened(also Beld and Golden Eagle Protection Act)
F Red dockaded woodpecker mrsoldes borealis) Endangered (also Federally Endangered)
F Swain Son's warblik irr nmIlima ywUmdn eunont, Epecles
CRUSTACEANS AND FRESHWATER MUSSELS
le Carolina ladle croynsb(Cambarus davicho Significantly Pare
F Sandblilleinynayfd, slgnitersup'Rare
le Atlantic rigtoe(Faster, mason): Endangered ( also a Federal Species of Concern)
le Carolina creekshell Vollosa vaughteiana)'. Endangered (also a Fetloral Speclesof Concern)
le Carolina slabaleldirptio coogaraea): on the Natural Heritage Program ;'Watch List'
le Creeper(Suopnms uadulawsY Threatened
le Eastemcreekshell(Villcsa delumbis)'. STpnNcealy Rare
le Notched rainbow Willose comRlcta)'. Special Concern
F Pod lance (Elliptic blliculataY Special Concern
F mangle floater tAlsouldnnta undulita) Threatened
le Roanoke slansnell(FIIlptlo roancessaus: Threatened
F veno, lampmpael(Lampsris cartma): Saharan fam-an
FISH
e Cape Fear shiner(Nodepls moklstocholl Endangered (also Federally Endangered)
le Carolina III(Mmosloma so ) Threatened (also a Federal Species of Concern)
0 sarMMLSCARS (Semmilus lumbee) SpeClel Concern(also a Federal Species of Concern)
HABITATS
BACHeAN'A SPARROW FOX SOV BREL
BFIN EAGLE SANON LLS SnLAM ANIFT
HERPS
F Cowl.: 1p dvard,cpM1rs flagetlum)I SgMlcan:ly Fare
le northern pinesni priiwooms maddruseucus
melonolep[tl9special ConSem(also a Federal
Species of Concern)
F Pine forest, routine sedu anders sphin
Shuddered, Pare
F W I. 11earake(sl,trums mR dug: sped+ Co A,n
le Sandtll, Salamandr, Stale Watch List
MAMMALS
F Noncom long-eared bat g4ys5 DteNrlOrwlls)'.
TN58 Lied, recent 11amnn-11 was iuzlcited as
Feaeraly Head ened nn Apru z 3015.
F Fox SpuNel Worms Unger), State Watch List
HARNETT COUNTY'S UNIQUE HABITATS
Harnett County is Mme A a number of headwater streams that provide drinking water :othe regions residents. Forests and farmlands provide timber and toodur
nearby amidene Not contribute to the region's Kc m¢ UMeareped lands north of Fort Bragg are vitreal to training WRmbons. IDeSandbillssupWr6preofthe Msl
remaining examples of the rare and diverse lw laat pre ecosystems which supports the Only population of retl2ockadN woMpeckers that has mel its recovery goal.
R vers and accept in forests servo a S habitat A—dons aM offer ecartidnal opporbrnlies such as hiking. porkeg. Ural,, pnrid,co e, bird watching, Watmg,IWstill
and nsmrlg to home a!"" A one y; natural and wildlife M1eNaae can he ennserveo lmcugn enflamed lam Live planning and lay enc crag ng conservation drudd esioni I
vensitive Nblats and wildlife travel corridor:. Conservation subdivisions cnrt less to bona and maintain and homes near natural areas ser for up to Zo W 36 percent more.
HABITAT NEEDS OF KEY SPECIES
- Red -Cockaded Woodl
h.f
Ba cnmans5parrb
i g... 'Fox Summit
(Pine Barrens Treehog
Longleaf pine wen nrovme habitat Ravens Rock State Park provides Sunni Salamander
for rod cockaded woodpeckers, habitat hob for Bald Eagles is the Brad Eagle
mF samrels, and other rare and center of the County. Sana Nps pay fish
endangered plan;; and animal,
Carolina Bays provide habitat for Send hills Salamanders waterfowl and
juvenile per-ansh small Carolina Bays and many bogs and seeps may not
be protected by state or teaered regwaodys, The Upland waalte habitat
surmundrug the,, .,hand, is not regulated by xlate m federal laws.
iPoker� X
X X
X X X
X
X X X
X X
X
Blackwater Streams In the Southern part of iMcounty serve as headwaters
for cities tlow ustream. Wetlands and forests along these streams protect or
during water and priority Wildlife pattern.
THE RWC SAFE HARBOR PROGRAM
"The iJON1 Carolina RM -cockaded
Woodpecker Safe Harbor Program Is a
S2lDlw.ma tMr,F dBrrough an
agreement between J S Fish and Wildide
Service arM Nodh Carolina Wildlife
Resources Qtmrmgson(WPC) under die
federal EMN eiH Staley ACr(ESQ)
The agreement aljows WRC to enter
into v'oluntar, Safe Harbor Management
Agreements svrtn mr, fedeel IaMowrerS
who agree to implement land management
termin es thrift benefit RCWs In exchange
for regvial asurancez that no adtlt,dkI
ESA resincts. will be trnposed as a
result Of mer mmagemam actions.
Landowners decide whether or not they
want to partiupa;e In the program and
management agreement can be terminated
with a WT wm:en notice to AL"
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
III, //www new ldifeoro/Coneerv'm/
Procramz/Sa!eHarbo Prop amasnx
DFD YOU KNOW?
H..." CnuN'Fr Is xoer, ad
56neXcn's eoNsme:n m and me
OR rNnnrvneNen.eeeu rwP Xwrv:.mn
Folds seenms INcanar d-'nrv.
Calmaea Fir ,anonsr: e..
SAnINITI eSnuvwNnv.x AND The.
Let 11 UP Tma expen 11
THREATS
Sedimentation and sprmwaler run -ohne major
threats to water puality and ail oar' emsysTems
r - -
xa -
%T44� -�
F
Dispersed residential development Can Could
habitat forairmartation and sever ties between
Pro Matinee cit Species.
GROW HABNETi COUNTY STATE Of THF CGUIt I Y 11
HARNETT COUNTY PARKS
ANDERSON CREEK PARK
GROW HARNEI COUNTY 51-1F OF 1116 COUN It 13
OVERVIEW d DEDYOUNNOWY ) WATER AND SEWER USAGE AND CAPACITY
nurnHNrv.c"Wnvs
ILeHame[[ County Department of Public Utilities
crovldes water and/or wastewater services to 89-
95% of County residents (-95,000 people). The
department also supplies water to HI ington, Angier,
Erwin, Coats, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs. Spring
Lake, Linden, Johnston County, Moore County and
Fort Bragg. Recently the County entered Into an revised water snooty capacity
agreement with Moore County expanding Moore County s supply to 3 11
UTILITIES IN HARNETT
27.3 MGD
CURRENT WATER
TREATMENT CAPACITY
HARNETT COUNTY REGIONAL WTP
EXPANSION TO 42 MGD IS UNDERWAY
15.7 MGD
AVERAGE DAILY USAGE
23.4 MGD
MAXIMUM DAILY USAGE (JUNE)
37,190
WATER CONNECTIONS
Ce
20.6 MGD
CURRENT COMBINED WASTEWATER
TREATMENT CAPACITY
NORTH HARNETT
REGIONAL W W TP (5.6 MGD)
SOUTH HARNETT W WTP (15 MGD)
EXPANSION OF NORTH HARNETT
WWTP TO 7.5 MGD IS PLANNED
11.8 MGD
AVERAGE DAILY DISCHARGE
(FEBRUARY)
11,833
SEWER CONNECTIONS
SOURCE H4FNETTC NIY
GROW HARNM COUNTY 4PIF Ot IH! COULh li
SCHOOLS
More than 20.000 students attend the Harnett County School District's 27 schools. Within Harnett County, the district operates 17 elementary schools, five middle
schools and four high schools.
omnm
Wayne Avenue Elementary School - 298 { 300
ME
RE
IAmUllo nCoUteiamp, 5¢hool
1 668
1 200 1
A''nger Hurenlary School
♦ 424
)50 1
�Oenhaven Elementary 5¢Irool
a TheClazs o12014 earned over$ 5,5 million in
1
Boone)r BEl t ,School 591
Rules Creek El ¢ 1 ,Schaal ' 314
Em1 arySchool —)24
` 920
250 j
I 720
1:s
yschool
280
400
i h 1
1r91
r 250
Narnen Primary School
599
740
Hlyhlantl El•meNmY SCMoI
924
720
lahnsonville Elementary School
_
650
500
LeFayelb Ekmenlary School __
_1 773
1 500
Liningcon-sharrown Elementary School
620
RO
NmN Um -Il primary school
465
405
O,rmll I Elementary School
944
920
omnm
Wayne Avenue Elementary School - 298 { 300
COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN HARNETT COUNTY
�---
fF �iTroY-. ' • r �� - �j-C�ran�iaea
. --
or,
`cr 31+ , `,�t``.
_zL,..J��•����` ��`��� pup
-0t —u r
Al
1
3
l
GROW MARNE" COUNTY
sool,cimi,coul.il 15
z •`
• •
STATS AND FACTS
QIISiLI
( �
a 20 m8 Stueents
a TheClazs o12014 earned over$ 5,5 million in
Coals -Erwin Middle School
629 1 800
schOlarsnips.
NgM ndMdall S M1 ofddl
650
'.N t~ tControlNtltll School
y 1,260 T
950
L---.
Harnett Cty Sanders proudly employs
0 hllsMtldl So, I
r—
1,235
000
)1324a11 I'tl 9125 rinional Board
_
l
Candied 11,11h
�W¢ilom H arnett Middle School
1,131
1 950us
a 2)S[Ood 945 sol pn0, 3.355.108
'oap fee, of1 Ifes
WC4[IU�aI'AAT1
a MamenC tyRMel,,utlenl-lo-
ratioLEA ranksIII LIT O1 IM1¢
COmp1115 amiYt
state 105 LEA, a9tl III among tlM1[ricls of
vmvarable an
1 Harnett Contral High School
1,488
1,550
N 94.5%, Three Year average atteMan[e rate
rOveTilh Nigh School
ol"i'mill, High School
Ti
Ticroon
1,500
Nigh School
1,402 1.625
Western Harnett High School
T268 1 1.450
SOURCE NaWIETTCOIdUYSCtiJOLS
COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN HARNETT COUNTY
�---
fF �iTroY-. ' • r �� - �j-C�ran�iaea
. --
or,
`cr 31+ , `,�t``.
_zL,..J��•����` ��`��� pup
-0t —u r
Al
1
3
l
GROW MARNE" COUNTY
sool,cimi,coul.il 15
Conclusion
The fdlotmng set of Issues and opoortu, Nies were Identified during the assessment, reined by the Advisory Committee and supplemented with feedback gathered
during the first community meeting.
KEY ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Strong population growth.
High growth rate in young working population cohort.
Significant retail leakage.
I• Maturity of residents .,it mmewhere else.
0 Lower wages and personal Incomes compared to neighboring counties.
Lower percentage of higher educated papulation compared to neighboring counties.
li� Bedroom community status with limited Industrial growth In County.
LAND USE
W Return on Investment should be a factor in land use decisions amp is io lant to the financial health of Harnett County,
Identifying prime locations for industrial and distribution operations and protecting these locations from Incompatible development will be an Important step in encouraging furore
economic development.
W Identifying Ideal locations for new commercial and retail development is necessary to help reverse retail leakage trends.
li� Decentralized growth and "leapfrog" development has led to high torts for Infrastructure and other government services.
w Replacing working lands with lower priced single family homes (s. 5130k for Harnett County) results In a significant loss in respond (about SS per acre in Harnett County) AND an annual
deficit in costs of services for the same acre of land.
UTILITIES
Water lines exist throughout me c.pay, do: many lines are not sufhdenc for maior subdivisions.
Cape Fear River is a valuable water source for the region
li� Future land use plan needs to manage expectations and be Informed by water arid sewer capacity(current and planned).
I Economic development marketing should be targeted at locations with water and sewer capacity.
I Long term plan needed for trunk lines and potential location of regional pump stations.
ii� Standards for requiring developers to install/connect to existing gravity sewer Imes are needed,
ri� opportunity to establish thresholds for cost share and model developer agreements for reimbursement of up front Investments).
le Continue to build on working relationship with municipalities regarding service provision and secession
NATURAL RESOURCES
w Parker, Averts and Hector Creeks In the northwestern part of the county are considered High Quality Waters by the Division of Water Quality. Protecting these creeks will preserve
habitat for the Cape Fear Shiner and other rare aquatic species,
Urban stormwear and agriculture runoff, which Includes sediment and chemicals, have polluted and impaired many creeks in Harnett County.
li� Low impact develooment(LID)behooves such as redeclrg Impervious surfaces and retamimg vegetated aration(stream) boilers can help Improve water quality.
The Cape Fear River and Upper Little River offer great coppnudbes for waroin New and Improved canoe/kayak launches could allow greater access to these natural tesourres.
Providing active and passive recreation opportunities will be key to Preserving and colbacmg the quality of lite In Harnett County.
I Farmland and forests contribute to the scenic quality of the County's rural areas. They also contribute over $300 million In value-added Income to the local economy.
li� Residential growth in rural areas can increase development pressure and threaten the viability of agricultural and timber production.
Is Harnett County Is home to 56 species considered rare or recognized by the state or federal government as priority, threatened, or endangered Protecting connected ecosystems may
prevent the further decline of listed species and misled species that could become threatened by habitat fragmentation.
ii� Continued recovery of the Red cockaded Woodpecker (and the longleaf pine ecosystem) Is critical to maintaining training operations on Fort Bragg.
TRANSPORTATION
Due to the she of the ready ano accepted I'd pooulatideS maintaining existing roads nil require significant costs In the future.
There is a need for four lane roads to Wake County and Cumberland County.
I Costs of transportation needs are likely to exceed state and federal funding streams available to Harnett County In the coming years.
A Many Reopen County residents commute significant defenses to and from work. This add, tocc,t of hang and reduces the amount of disposable Income for households.
I Recruiting good paying lobs and planning for new retail centers In the county would allow more residents to work and shop closer to home.
r. Population growth in some parts of the county, combined with commuting patterns have led to an increased demand for bicycle, pedestrian and transit facilities such as sidewalks,
greenways, bus service and park and ride facilities.
GROW HAHNETT COUNTY SI_IF OF 111K0U1!I I Ib
Conclusion
the following SWOI analysis was generated by the Advisory Committee and Supplemented with feedbacV: gathered during the first community meeting.
STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS
STRENGTHS
Or Location
iv Strong population growth
I, High rate of young working population
i Higher Ed faculitledCampbell University, ECU Dental. Central Cambric Community College
i Availability of Land
i Water System
l Military Presence/Fat Bragg
i Proximity to 195
x, Part of are of the most prosperous regions In U.S.
r. Regionalism/regional brand
l Two hospitals
History/heritage
• Small, close- knit communities
• Natural Resources. Raven Rock, Cape Fear River
li, High-quality forests and farmland
l Top 10 Agriculture county
OPPORTUNITIES
iv Growing industry sectors
Growing retail sectors (arts, retail. recreation, acj
i Leakage in retail means that opportunities for local options are needed
• Growth of medical school
• Aging boomers
iv Cape Fear River
• Affordable land
• Good quality of lde
iv Create vision
il� Keep Military families here
iv Desire to work together and try something different
iv Retraining options for military
iv Capitalize on heritage
• Higher Ed
t How down attract/retain minder fall
ii� Planned developments(mi.ed use)
iv Build on health care by bringing In research (ex NIH grants)
Or Partnership wills other universities
Riverwalk
v, 421 corridor growth
W Medi corridor
t Recreation destinations (parks, trails, cycling)
• Natural tourism(blueways, Raven Rock)
• Philanthropy/church groups'
WEAKNESSES
Lower wages and Personal incomes
ii� Lower percentage of higher education
iv No four -lane roads
Public school system
ix Lack of Incentives
fi� Lack of amenities
iv Bedroom community
x, Lack ofshocping / Significant retail leakage
11� No Comme(Clal tax base
Lack of utilities other than water (gas sewer. electric)
f• No incorporated municipalities on western side of county
1v Lack of skilled labor
Brain drain
t No entertainment
No county -wide chamber
li, Lack of broadband internet along B) -corridor
Win/lose mentality
Lack of shared vision
ii, Lack of entrepreneurship
THREATS
ov Bedroom community status with limited industry growth in county
l Maintaining wealth growth while population increases
iv Falling behind other counties every day (Wake. Johnston, Moore)
A Lack of communication/public awareness
ii� Short-term decision making
i Population in county is spread out
li� Internal and external competition
ii� Disparity In schools
ii� No incorporated municipalities on western side of county
Tax base
ll� Transient population in western part of county
CLItural segregation
Lack of funding
Tax base r evaluation
Ln sing identity
l Uncontrolled growth
iv Idle
Communities not working with each other
l Military population draw down
xv Lack of a new generation of farmers
GROW HAHNM COUNTY sl AIL Of If1F COW, 11 17