HomeMy WebLinkAbout102715ssa Agenda Package2015State of the County
Contents
IntroduCtIon �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1
CommunIty ProfIle ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2
HousIng and HouseHolds �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������4
eConomIC develoPment ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5
land use ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������7
transPortatIon ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8
natural resourCes ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
sPeCIes and HabItats ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������12
Parks and reCreatIon ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13
utIlItIes ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14
faCIlItIes �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15
ConClusIon �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 1
Introduction
a Plan for Harnett’s future
Harnett has experienced exceptional growth over the past
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, high quality school system and
relatively low cost of living continue to draw thousands of
residents to its boundaries�
Harnett looks forward to continued growth� The County’s
proximity to Raleigh and Fayetteville and the Highway
87 and I-95 corridors make Harnett County a desirable
location for residents, businesses, and industry� Local
leaders recognize that, for Harnett County to capitalize on
this market opportunity, an update to the Comprehensive
Plan was needed�
►how will this growth shape harnett’s identity?
►What bold moves can the County make to ensure that the
rural character remains while providing for new residents
joining the community?
►how can the County continue to support strong and safe
neighborhoods and thriving businesses?
►What does it take to position harnett for continued success?
This planning process is designed to work with the
community to answer these questions, develop a widely-
supported vision and identify the investments needed to
realize that vision for the County�
PoPulatIon growtH and ProjeCtIons
20
1
3
12
4
,
9
8
7
20
1
0
11
5
,
7
5
7
19
9
0
68
,
0
3
0
20
0
0
91
,
3
9
3
20
3
0
16
0
,
8
4
4
20
4
0
18
2
,
8
9
9
20
2
0
13
8
,
7
9
9
InCrease
InCrease
84%
32%
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 efforts
will inform the update of the Harnett Comprehensive 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.
= 25,000 PeoPLe
20001999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 20152014
unified Development ordinance
neill’s Creek Land use Study
Regional Growth Management Strategy for the fort Bragg Region
nC 87 Regional Multimodal CorridorMobility Plan
Parks and Recreation Master Plan
harnett County Land use Plan
uS 401 Corridor Study
20112006
SouRCe: NC oFFICe oF STaTe BudgeT aNd MaNageMeNT PRojeCTIoNS
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 2
Community Profile
PoPulatIon growtH
Harnett has experienced exceptional growth over the past two decades, from
a population 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 estimated 2013 population of Harnett is 124,987� This is an
increase of 84% since 1990� anticipated growth is expected to increase the
County population by 46% by 2040�
HIstorIC growtH
1990 2000 2010 2013
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
68,030
91,393
115,789
124,987
20,000
0
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNITy SuRvey 2009-2013, uS CeNSuS BuReau
growtH rates by ComParIson 2000-2013
35%
30%30.5%
19.9%
10.7%
25%
20%
15%
10%
0%
5%
Harnett County North Carolina United States
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNIT y SuRvey 2009-2013, uS CeNSuS BuReau
ProjeCted growtH
1990 2000 2010 2013 2020 2030 2040
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
68,030
91,393
115,789
124,987
138,799
168,712
182,889
SouRCe: NC oFFICe oF STaTe BudgeT aNd MaNageMeNT PRojeCTIoNS, uS CeNSuS BuReau
From 2000 to 2010, Harnett County grew by nearly 27%� The most recent
population figures indicate that Harnett’s growth will continue to outpace
regional, state and national rates�
growtH ComParIsons
growtH rate ComParIsons, 2000-2013
yeaR haRnett Lee JohnSton ChathaM CuMBeRLanD nC
2013 124,987 60,266 177,967 66,817 325,871 9,848,060
2010 115,726 57,904 169,613 63,764 320,246 9,559,533
2000 91,393 49,482 123,279 49,740 303,755 8,081,614
2010-2013 8.0%4.1%4.9%4.8%1.8%3.0%
2000-2010 26.6%17.0 %37.6 %28.2%5.4%18.3%
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNIT y SuRvey 2009-2013, uS CeNSuS BuReau
Did you know?
From 2010-2013, Harnett
was the fifth-fastest County
in North Carolina.
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 3
35%
53%
36%41%
29%30%
eduCatIon attaInment (2013)
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNITy SuRvey 2009-2013, uS CeNSuS BuReau
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNIT y SuRvey 2009-2013, uS CeNSuS BuReau
Harnett County nortH CarolIna unIted states
84.4%
High School Graduate or Higher
84.9%
High School Graduate or Higher
86%
High School Graduate or Higher
18.5%
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
27.3 %
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
28.8%
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
Community Profile
age (2013)
eduCatIon (2000-2013)
0-49,4417.9 %
20-6469,68958.7%
65+
12,52210.5%
5-1927,14122.8%
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNIT y SuRvey 2009-2013
eduCatIon attaInment averages sInCe 2000
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNITy SuRvey 2009-2013, uS CeNSuS BuReau
raCe and etHnICIty
2000 2010 % CHange
White 64,744 82,467 27.4 %
BLaCk oR afRiCan aMeRiCan 20,481 24,969 21.9%
aMeRiCan inDian anD aLaSka native 794 1,060 33.5%
aSian 591 1,264 113.9%
native haWaiian anD otheR PaCifiC iSLanDeR 61 6 -90.2%
tWo oR MoRe RaCeS 1,430 4,115 187.8 %
hiSPaniC oR Latino 5,336 13,213 147.6 %
raCe and etHnICIty (2013)
mInorIty PoPulatIon ComParIsons, 2013
64%
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNIT y SuRvey 2009-2013, uS CeNSuS BuReau
Harnett
White Non-Hispanic Population Minority Population
59%
Lee
70%
Johnston
71%
Chatham
47%
Cumberland
65%
NC
age demograPHIC ComParIsons, 2013
haRnett Lee JohnSton ChathaM CuMBeRLanD nC
Median Age 33.5 37.1 37 44.8 30.9 37.6
Old-Age Dependency Ratio 17.1 23.3 17.4 34.5 15.4 21.3
Child Dependency Ratio 44.8 42.7 44.3 36.1 41.7 37.6
Change in Young Working Population (2000-2013)16.5%5.7%16.9%-0.5%-8.0%3.0%
The young working age population in Harnett County has been growing at
a rate of 16�5% from 2000 to 2013� This means 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
this is an encouraging sign for Harnett County�
Harnett County has a young population� The median age is 33�5 in Harnett,
over four years lower than the state median age� Harnett does not have a large
older age population dependency ratio, but there are a larger proportion of
children that are dependent on the working population�
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
75%78.1%80.4%84.4%84.9%
12.8%
22.5%24.4%27.3 %
18.5%
28.8%
86%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
North Carolina North CarolinaUnited States United States
Harnett Harnett
High School Graduate or Higher Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
2000 2013
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 4
Households and Housing
HouseHold ComPosItIon
SouRCe: uS CeNSuS BuReau, aMeRICaN CoMMuNIT y SuRvey 2009-2013
as the population 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 neighboring
counties� These rates are also growing for Harnett County�
medIan HouseHold InCome
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNITy SuRvey 2009-2013
Harnett County nortH CarolIna unIted states
$46,334 $44,625 $53,046
HousIng unIts
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNIT y SuRvey 2009-2013, uS CeNSuS BuReau,
*aMoNg HouSeS wITH a MoRTgage
3,411 1,414
$132,600
medIan Home value
$1,228
medIan montHly HousIng Costs*
aPartments townHouses or duPlexes
2.8%
vaCanCy rate
23%
InCrease In unIts 2000-2013
32,235
sIngle famIly unIts
$$$$
47 %
moved Into tHeIr Homes from 2000-2009
own vs rent
31.8%
rent
68.2%
own
HousIng and transPortatIon Costs
Traditional measures of housing affordability ignore
transportation costs� Typically a household’s second-
largest expenditure, transportation costs are largely a
function of the proximity of jobs and housing� Factoring
in both housing and transportation costs provides a more
comprehensive way of thinking about the cost of housing
and true affordability�
SouRCe: CeNTeR FoR NeIgHBoRHood TeCHNoLogy
remaInIng InCome
39%transPortatIon
32%
29%HousIng
HouseHold CHaraCterIstICs ComParIsons (2013)
ToTal HouseHolds haRnett Lee JohnSton ChathaM CuMBeRLanD nC
Total Households 40,677 21,204 60,759 26,017 121,226 3,715,565
Change in Households 2010-2013 4.0%1.0$2.8%4.6%3.3%2.5%
Average Household Size 2.83 2.72 2.81 2.46 2.55 2.53
Growth in Average Household Size 6.0%4.2%4.1%1.2%0.0%1.6%
HousIng market ComParIson
over two-thirds of housing units in Harnett County are occupied by owners� This rate is slightly
higher than the state average� Harnett County’s home values and mortgage/rent prices are in “the
middle of the road” compared to neighboring counties� From 2010 to 2013, the median home value
increased by over $9,000, double the state average�
HousIng market ComParIsons, 2013
haRnett Lee JohnSton ChathaM CuMBeRLanD nC
Median Home Value $132,600 $131,300 $141,200 $211,400 $128,700 $153,600
Median Mortgage $1,228 $1,136 $1,254 $1,458 $1,215 $1,281
Median Rent $756 $686 $778 $774 $853 $776
Owner-Occupied 68.2%69.1%71.6%79.9%54.8%66.4%
Renter-Occupied 31.8%30.9%28.4%20.1%45.2%33.6%
jobs to HousIng ratIo
Harnett County has a low job 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�
jobs Per HousIng unIt ComParIson, 2013
haRnett Lee JohnSton ChathaM CuMBeRLanD nC
Jobs 22,452 24,257 42,591 14,095 117,629 3,974,940
Housing Units 47,381 24,117 68,000 28,964 138,362 4,349,023
Jobs/Units Ratio 0.47 1.01 0.63 0.49 0.85 0.91
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 5
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 in a variety of categories, including the following:
economic development
emPloyment
according to 2009-2013 american Community Survey estimates, there were
over 45,000 people employed in Harnett County� The majority of these jobs are
in moderate-paying, local-serving industries� while important to the economy,
these industries don’t drive growth, but instead follow it�
Management, Business, Science, and Arts
Sales and Office
Service
Production, Transportation, and Material Moving
Natural Resources, Construction, and Maintenance
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNITy SuRvey 2009-2013
18.4%
12.4%
14.2%
24.6%
30.3%
CommunIty ComParIson: unemPloyment rates
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
2004
Harnett County Lee County Johnston County Cumberland County North Carolina
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
SouRCe: BuReau oF LaBoR STaTISTICS
unemPloyment rates
5.3 5.3 4.9 4.8
6.6
11.4 11.4 11.4
10.6
9.1
7.0
emPloyment by Industry
Government
3,634
2,502
2,300
1,429
1,324
1,105
813
542
488
476
454
450
373
257
223
175
175
104
41
0K 1K 2K 3K 4K 5K
$51,107
$28,734
$33,826
$13.837
$47, 277
$48.213
$54,082
$24,077
$41,090
$51,914
$49,763
$53,570
$30,168
$53,269
$34,745
$30,578
$58,642
$17,778
$103,317
$17,833
$0 $50,000 $100,000
Retail Trade
Health Care and Social Assistance
Accommodation and Food Services
Manufacturing
Construction
Educational Services
Admin, Waste Mgmt and Remediation
Transportation and Warehousing
Wholesale Trade
Prof., Scientific and Tech Services
Finance and Insurance
Other Services (except Public Admin.)
Information
Crop and Animal Production
2013 Jobs Average Earnings (2013)
Real Estate, Rental and Leasing
Mgmt. of Companies and Enterprises
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
Utilities
Mining, Quarrying, Oil and Gas Extraction
SouRCe: eCoNoMIC ModeLINg SPeCIaLISTS INTeRNaTIoNaL
5,588
toP emPloyers
retaIl leakage
SouRCe: HaRNeTT CouNTy edC
SouRCe: eCoNoMIC LeadeRSHIP eSTIMaTeS BaSed oN eCoNoMIC ModeLINg SPeCIaLISTS INTeRNaTIoNaL (2015) aNd uS BuReau oF eCoNoMIC aNaLySIS (2014)
-$6.5 million-$14.1 million
-$7.6 million
-$29.5 million
-$12.8 million-$34.3 million
sPortIng goods, Hobby, musICal Instrument and book stores
ClotHIng and ClotHIng aCCessorIes stores
furnIture and Home furnIsHIng stores
motor veHICle and Parts dealers
eleCtronICs and aPPlIanCe storesgeneral merCHandIse stores
toP emPloyers In Harnett County
eMPLoyeR nuMBeR of eMPLoyeeS
Harnett County sCHools 2,132
Harnett HealtH system 1,050
Harnett County government 887
food lIon dIstrIbutIon Center 758
CamPbell unIversIty 750
Harnett CorreCtIonal faCIlIty 381
edwards brotHers 280
wal-mart 270
CarlIe C’s Iga 185
saab barraCuda 167
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 6
loCatIon QuotIents by Industry
economic development
Location quotient (LQ) 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:
retaIl tradeCroP and anImal ProduCtIon ConstruCtIon government eduCatIonal servICes
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2
1.25
1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
20
0
8
-
2
0
1
3
L
o
c
a
t
i
o
n
Q
u
o
t
i
e
n
t
%
C
h
a
n
g
e
2013 Location Quotient Change
Educational Services
Other Services (except Public Administration)
Government
ConstructionUtilities
Health Care and Social Assistance
Admin, Waste Management and Remediation
Transportation and Warehousing
Mining, Quarrying and Oil and Gas Extraction
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
loCatIon QuotIents by Industry
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 7
real ProPerty value
SouRCe: eCoNoMIC ModeLINg
SPeCIaLISTS INTeRNaTIoNaL
6.7%$456,136,990
Agricultural and Vacant
75.2%$5,158,994,577
Single Family Residential
6.6%$453,821,211
Multifamily and Mobile Homes
7.1 %$489,192,713
Commercial
1.8%$122,139,790
Industrial
2.6%$178,540,565
Office/Institutional
6.1%Parks and Open Space
21.3%Agricultural
5.9%Vacant
50.6%Rural Residential
6.9%Single Family Residential
0.2%Multi-Family Residential
5.7%Mobile Homes
0.8%Commercial
0.9%Office, Institutional, Government
0.3%Industrial
1.3%Unknown
l and use
adoPted land use PolICy and regulatIons
NC 27 W
NC 210 S
US 421 N
NC 42
US 401 S
MCDOUGALD RD
OLD US 421
US 421 S
NC 55 W
NURSERY RD
NC 87 N
NC 82
RAY RD
NC 24-87
NC 217
NC 24-27
INTERSTATE 95
ROSS RD
US 401 N
NC 55 E
MARKS RD
WIRE RD
NC 24
OVERHILLS RD
US 301 N
OLD STAGE RD N
NC 87 S
US 301 S
NC 27 E
PONDEROSA RD
BENSON RD
CHRISTIAN LIGHT RD
OLIVIA RD
MCARTHUR RD
DOCS RD
SOUTH RIVER RD
LINE RD
RIVER RD
ASHE AVE
COKESBURY RD
BUCKHORN RD
RAWLS CHURCH RD
FAIRGROUND RD
ROSSER PITTMAN RD
KIPLING RD
RED HILL CHURCH RD
DARROCH RD
TITAN ROBERTS RD
ELLIOTT BRIDGE RD
NC 210 N
TINGEN RD
BAILEY RD
GUY RD
ABATTOIR RD
BROADWAY RD
MABRY RD
NEILLS CREEK RD
CYPRESS CHURCH RD
AUTRY RD
CRAWFORD RD
LANGDON RD
HILLMON GROVE RD
BUIE RD
BUFFALO LAKE RD
TEMPLE RD
MCNEILL HOBBS RD
OLD STAGE RD S
POPE RD
CYPRESS RD
MAIN ST
COVINGTON RD
BYRDS MILL RD
LEMUEL BLACK RD
THOMPSON RD
BALL RD
BUNNLEVEL ERWIN RD
JONESBORO RD
BARBECUE CHURCH RD
HOBSON RD
HODGES CHAPEL RD
OLD BUIES CREEK RD
BRICK MILL RD
LOOP RD
LANE RD
COOL SPRINGS RD
PEACH FARM RD
CLARK RD
SPRING HILL CHURCH RD
WILL LUCAS RD
BEAVER DAM RD
ADCOCK RD
JOHNSTON COUNTY RD
HICKS RD
BUD HAWKINS RD
RAVEN ROCK RD
MCLEAN CHAPEL CHURCH RD
BAILEYS XRDS RD
MCNEILL RD
HAYES RD
MT PISGAH CHURCH RD
LEAFLET CHURCH RD
NORRINGTON RD
BELLA BRIDGE RD
SHERIFF JOHNSON RD
ATKINS RD
YOUNG RD
TIM CURRIN RD
JOHNSON RD
CAMERON HILL RD
CANE MILL RD
CAMERON RD
SADLER RD
HARNETT CENTRAL RD
SHADY GROVE RD
WISE RD
WEBB RD
PURFOY RD
BETHEL BAPTIST RD
CLAYHOLE RD
W J ST WEEKS RD
ERWIN RD
MITCHELL RD
WALKER RD
RAYNOR MCLAMB RD
ERWIN CHAPEL RD
ADAMS RD
ARROWHEAD RD
POWELL FARM RD
NC 55 S
DENIM DR
BAPTIST GROVE RD
OAKRIDGE RIVER RD
SHUE RD
NEIGHBORS RD
BYRDS POND RD
S 13TH ST
S ELM AVE
CHALYBEATE SPRINGS RD
E H ST
LAFAYETTE RD
COBB RD
EBENEZER CHURCH RD
HARDEE RD
HOOVER RD
TILGHMAN RD
LIVE OAK RD
MCCORMICK RD
JOEL JOHNSON RD
PROSPECT CHURCH RD
BILL AVERY RD CARSON GREGORY RD
HOLDER RD
E JACKSON BLVD
LLOYD STEWART RD
CAROLINA WAY
DOVE RD
BALLARD RD
MICRO TOWER RD
MATTHEWS MILL POND RD
OAK GROVE CHURCH RD
BRINKLEY RD
STEWART RD
W CORE RD
FESTUS RD
DORMAN RD
JOSEY WILLIAMS RD
PATTERSON RD
BRADLEY RD
HOLLY SPRINGS CHURCH RD
WILSON DR
DIXON RD
FLEMING RD
N RALEIGH ST
W E ST
OAK ST
MIDDLE RD
DENNING RD
MIMS RD
GRIFFIN RD
RUFFIN RD
WEST RD
KNIGHT RD
WADE STEPHENSON RD
THOMAS KELLY RD
BECKER RD
TURLINGTON RD
AIRPORT RD
OLD COATS RD
ENNIS RD
BRIGGS RD
BILL SHAW RD
OLD NC 87
W BLACKMAN RD
LONGBRANCH RD
GATE
PINEY GROVE RD
W CUMBERLAND ST
W OLD RD
PILSON RD
BIG BRANCH RD
E WIMBERLY ST
MCKAY DR
E I ST FRIENDLY RD
JESSE RD
ERNEST BROWN RD
LAWRENCE RD
PONDEROSA TRL
LASATER RD
CUMMINGS RD
OAKTRAIL LN
SHAWTOWN RD
CLAUDE WHITE RD
WAGSTAFF RD
FIRE LANE RD
E MCNEILL ST
S MAIN ST
MCARTAN RD
HORSESHOE BEND RD
RAMBEAUT RD
PARRISH RD
MEADOWLARK RD
HARVELL RD
WOMACK RD
JUNNY RD
AMMONS RD
MCFARLAND RD
KRAMER RD
MAGRUDER RD
W COLE ST
COTTON RD
MCKOY TOWN RD
LESLIE RD
TYLER DEWAR LN
JOHNSON FARM RD
MCNEILL MILL RD
CHIC ENNIS RD
HARRINGTON RD
ETHEL LN
LESLIE CAMPBELL AVE
S 10TH ST
ROLLINS MILL RD
TIPPET RD
MONROE LN
N ELLIS AVE
CHICORA RD
MCLEOD RD
NUTGRASS RD
VALLEY RD
BYRD RD
OMAHA DR
TYSINGER RD
BRYANT RD
SUSAN TART RD
E D ST
N MAIN ST
MONTAGUE RD
MAPLE RD
JACKSON RD
MCLAMB RD
BULLARD RD
NATCHEZ TRACE
PICKETT RD
S CLINTON AVE
FALCON RD
OUR WAY
MANN RD
ROBERTS RD
STAGE RD
DRY CREEK RD
CHURCH ST
BROWN RD
C P STEWART RD
CHICKEN FARM RD
PARTIN RD
OLIVE BRANCH RD
N ASHE AVE
SANDERFER RD
GRAMETA LN
LIPSCOMB RD
ANTIOCH CHURCH RD
AVERY RD
FAMILY LN
PAGE RD
MILTON WELCH RD
PINE WOOD RD BROCK RD
THREE BRIDGE RD
SPENCE MILL RD
JIM CHRISTIAN RD
OAKRIDGE DUNCAN RD
SILAS MOORE RD
PEARIDGE RD
COX MILL RD
E CUMBERLAND ST
NELSON LN
TRIPP RD
GREGORY CIR
MILLER RD
D L PHILLIPS LN
COOPER STORE RD
COLLINS RD
DUKE RD
DICKENS RD
LEE RD
PACE LN
REVELS RD
E CORNELIUS HARNETT BLVD
OLD HAMILTON RD
BUTTS RD
BAYLES RD
EASTMILL LN
SLOAN RD
N KING AVE
MOORES CHAPEL RD
MAMIE UPCHURCH RD
NICK MCLEAN RD
W POPE ST
GRANT DR
GAINEY RD
VANN LN
WHIFFEN RD
W FRONT ST
BAKERTOWN RD
HALL RD
TAYLOR RD
MT OLIVE CHURCH RD
N DUNN ST
ALPINE DR
BLACKBERRY RD
POPLAR DR
MANGUM RD
W THORNTON RD
W B ST
JAMES NORRIS RD
B J LN
ALPHIN RD
FARRAR DAIRY RD
IVEY ST
PARK LN
S RALEIGH ST
YANKEE LN
KIVETT RD
S 12TH ST
DEAN RD
BENHAVEN SCHOOL RD
JOE COLLINS RD
RAINEY DR
GENTRY RD
E POPE ST
W TART RD
PINE OAK
MELODY LN
OQUINN RD
STOCKYARD RD
SADDLEBRED RD
TRUELOVE RD
E K ST
MCLEOD AVE
LIZZIE JETER LN VIC KEITH RD
HIGHGROVE DR
N BROAD ST E
S LINCOLN ST
GILCHRIST RD
RAYNOR RD
FARRAR RD
MESSER RD
BRANDI LN
E JOHNSON ST
NEEDMORE RD
CAROLINA DR
E WAKE ST
FRED MCARTAN LN
TUTOR RD
MAYNARD LAKE RD
M & M LN
GARDNER RD
CAMEL RD
ARCHIE ST
PINEY GROVE WILBURN
S 2ND ST
BLACK LN
DEER TAIL LN
E HARNETT ST
VALERIE LN
GRAHAM RD
SHARPE RD
DENNIS LN
THOMAS FARM RD
DELMA GRIMES RD
JASON LN
N ORANGE ST
BUCHANAN RD
WINDING RDG
AUGER HOLE RD
QUAIL RD
N WILSON AVE
HOMERS LN
OWENS RD
LENOIR DR
HOBBY RD
DEVROAH LN
BALL PARK LN
AKOR PL DEER VIEW
CREEKVIEW LN
COUNTRY TIME LN
MATTHEWS RD
LUCAS RD
N POWELL AVE
HOG HEAVEN LN
ASSET PKWY
RIVER RIDGE DR
PRAIRIE LN
PERRY RD
RUNNING BROOK LN
SEMINOLE RD
WILDLIFE RD
STANCIL RD
WILD PLUM LN
MAYER RD
SANDS RD
NEWTON RD
MERCY LN
FLYNN MCPHERSON RD
BETTS RD
ROLLINS RD
CROWN PT
FLINTLOCK LN
TARAS LN
ALEX RYAN LN
PLANTATION DR
FLOWERS DR
A C MORRISON RD
S 6TH ST
BROOKGREEN LN
CATTLE LN
NICOLE DR
ARLIE LN
CONNOR DR
SAWYER RD
SNEED LN
RAWLS CLUB RD
BAY ST KIRK ADAMS RD
CANNA LN
CHALYBEATE RD
KEITH HILLS RD
MCDUFFIE RD
ROBIN HOOD RD
MCDONALD RD
F O R LN
DOLL HOUSE RD
HORNE LN
ANDERSON RD
BOND LN
BROOKS MANGUM RD
LINDLEY CT
DURA BILT LN
TURKEY PATH RD
MERRY ST
WHEELER DR
WALTER WADDELL LN
MICAHS WAY N
E MCIVER ST
IRIS BRYANT RD
FARABOW DR
YORKSHIRE DR
E DEPOT ST
LENNIE SMITH RD
S MASON ST
MURCHISONTOWN RD
JOHN LEE RD
ANNA ST
MIMMS RD
GREAT DANE LN
DANIELS RD
PINE ST E
MOCCASIN BRANCH RD
KELLY LN
W DEPOT ST
RUTH CIR
SPRING BRANCH RD
E O ADAMS LN
TRANQUIL LN
TILGHMAN DR
VALLEY OAK DR
TIRZAH DR
WILLIAMS RD
BRET RD
CENTURY DR
PITTMAN DR
BUMPY LN
HILLIARD RD
SENTER LN
CAPTAIN HBR
MERSADIES LN
VICTORY LN
COUNTRY COVE LN
LIZARD LICK LN
RIDGE CT
BLOOM RD
HAMILTON RD
BLANCHARD RD
COATES RD
CHARTRES ST
KERSHAW RD
MCKINNEY PKWY
SUITT RD
S IDA ST
FINLEY ST
MILLS HOUSE LN
SHERIFF WATSON RD
SORRELL LN
NATHAN MATTHEWS RD
JAN ST
J W EDWARDS LN
COUNTRY SPRING LN
C HOLDER LN
HERON ROGERS LN
N MCKINLEY ST
WALT JOHNSON RD
HARGER LN
SAW MILL LN
RAM DR
SAINT ST
S 8TH ST
CLARKS CORNER RD
S CHURCH ST
CHARITY DR
RIVERWIND DR
DANIELS CREEK RD
BUTCH ST
RUBY LN
ALAN ST
CAMPBELL ST
PENDERGRAFT R
D
MIXON RD
SPENCE RD
FOX HUNTERS LN
W N ST
DEWAR ST
S MCKINLEY ST
AZALEA DR
JERRY LN
BROWER RD
EXIT RAMP
TRENT DR
LEANNA LNKATHLEEN RD
CABIN CREEK LN
PIT RD
SIERRA TRL
OAKLAWN DR E
PEARSON RD MARSHBANKS ST
PORTER DR
LOWER RIVER RD
OLD FARM RD
ROY ADAMS RD
WELLS LN
ED THOMAS RD
OAK VALLEY FARM RD
SPIDER LILY LN
S POWELL AVE
BOYKIN RD
MANOR HILLS RD
OLD MILL RD
PHEASANT LN
BOYD BRAFFORD DR
WINDSONG DR
FARLEY RD
HILLS LN
W ACADEMY ST
FARRINGTON LN
LONGLEAF DR
MARY LN
OLIVE FARM DR
SEAWELL ROSSER RD
HOLIDAY RD
SAMUEL MCKOY LN
HARMAN DR
W STEWART ST
MOONLIGHT DR
HERITAGE WAY
COOPER ST
WOOD RD
BRUCE DR
SPIVEY LN
EMMA CT
ANDERSON CREEK DR
OAKWATER DR
REGIMENTAL DR
JIMMY DR
DRIVEWAY
RIDGE RUN
C T THOMAS LN
REBEL LN
SANDCLAY DR
POULTRY LN
CIRCLE T DR
PEYTON LN
LINCOLN MCKAY DR
JR LN
ELIREA LN
CHESLEY LN
NORTHVIEW DR
ROBESON ST
LATHAM LN
WILLETTE LN
HAPPY LN
OUTLAW LN
MARIAN LN
RABBIT RUN LN
BRAE DR
HARLEY LN
LAKE POINTE DR
FUJI LN
C W MATTHEWS RD
LEE DUNN LN
LOYD LN
JARCO DR
LINDA JANE LN
ELI LN
TACIA DR
TOM MYERS RD
CHARLIE SMITH LN
GARY DR
MAY ST
BISON LN
ADVANCE DR
FULTON LN
LOIS LN
SHADY LN
MOORE LN
LAB RUN
TRACEY LN
RAY BYRD RD
CAMELLIA RD
WHIT CT
MYE LN
RANSAW LN
SPENCE WAY LN
TOMATO LN
FOREVER LN
N T WHITTINGTON LN
AUSLEY RD
MEMAS LN
DRAGON FLY LN
WARREN RD
MACK RD
IRBIN DR
WOMBLE DR
WAYNE LN
DUSTY LN
WILSON RUN
LAUREL DR
YOGI DR
BISHOP MILL LN
RIDGE VIEW DR
TURNER LN
COMANCHE DR
TOWER DR
BRUM LN
S 20TH ST
HAZELNUTS LN
GATEWAY DR
SUE ST
RAVEN LN
RIVER OAK ST
ASHEFORD WAY
VALLEY FORGE WAY S
H & L DR
RIPLEY RD
BRYAN MCLAMB LN
SKEET RANGE RD
JDE ST
SEAHAWK AVE
WALTER ALLEN LN
HENSCHEL LN
FLETCHER TUTOR RD
BIRCH AVE
GRAYS LN
E HARRINGTON AVE
AUTUMN BREEZE LN
LEE LAKE LN
LAMM AVE
FOREST DR
HAILEY LN
PINERIDGE CV
KINGSBROOK CIR
RUSTIC LN
BENNETT RD
BURSLEM LN
REEDY LN
DR MCKOY RD
SOUTHERN PL
E JAY ST
FIFTY CALIBER DR
NAVAHO TRL 3RD ST
JEROME LN
CRYSTAL SPRING DR
TACTICAL DR
ROCKY RUN LN
BRUCE JOHNSON RD
NC 87 HWY
E T FARM LN
SKYCROFT DR
HERMAN WAY
CREEKSIDE DR
RAINMAKER ST
SANDVIEW LN
ROLLING PINES DR
NC 55 E EXT
MARS DR
WILLIAMSTOWN LN
BARLEY DR
KIBBE LN
MCINTYRE LN
LINDA LN
N 17TH ST
KINTON DR
BUTLER MCLEOD LN
CHASBEE LN
LINDEN RD
GIBSON LN
D R HARVELL LN
LANIER DR
NEW PATH RD
VIOLET LN
EDNA LN
HUCKLEBERRY LN
WHITE LINE RD
BOATS LN
PIERCE LN JONES LN
LUNKER LN
TAR KILN TRL
BRADDOCK DR
VUNCANNON DR
COTTLE LAKE DR
JAMES TART RD
RODEO LN
SMITH PRINCE RD
SWEET LN
PINERIDGE DR
BARREL ST
JUDGE TAYLOR RD
ANDERSON HILLS RD
HESTER PL
THURMAN DR
ENTRANCE RAMP
BUCKHORN LAKE RD
FRANCIS DR
WILD HORSE RUN
ROBIN HILL RD
BANANA LN
LOUS CHAPEL RD
HENRY ELLIOTT LN
BENNYS LN
CALEY DR
WILLIE TART LN
SUMPTER LN
HARVEY LN
NEW LIFE LN
POLK ST
FAUCETT LN
BASIN ST
NORTH FORSYTHE LN
OAKDALE ST
BUFFKIN LN
WIDGEON WAY
L J ELLIS LN
MAY LN
KINGS WAY
RIDGE RD
ALFREDA DR T J TRL
JENKINS ST
PRIMROSE LN
LYNCH AVE
FREEMAN LN
W & W LN
BRITTON LOOP
WILLIS LN
ROWAN ST
ORCHARD FALLS DR
RITA LN
HATCHER ST
EASON LN
BARCLAY DR
SWAN LN
OLIVER LN
SUNSET LN
CRANE WAY
BENJAMIN LN
AMRIE LN
ROSIN LN
PINE NEEDLES DR
CATTIE DR
MCPHERSON RD
ERNEST LN
EASY LN
KINSMAN CT
ELFMAN DR
SHERRY LN
HOPE LN
WILSON ST
LAKERIDGE DR
VERNELL RD
SYLVAN LN
W GODWIN ST
MOONEY DR
KELLAM DR
JUDI LEE RD
HARDING LN
STONE LN
PIONEER CT
MAPLE DR
TOW LN
ADAM LN
JARRETT BAY LN
SURE FIRE LN
R E THOMAS LN
WITHERS LN
ELLIS STEWART LN
EDGECOMBE DR
CURTIS DR
COLBY LN
WOODFIELD CT
HOMESTEAD LN
S 1ST ST
COURTLAND DR
SISTER LN
JUNEBUG LN
PROGRESS DR
MASON HILL LN
ENT RAMP 77 S
MONTS LN
DIANN ST
GWENDOLYN WAY
COLLINS FARM LN
BRIARWOOD PL
MURPHY LN
GLENEAGLES AVE
JUDD LN
CUCUMBER LN
LORI LN
TOODLE DR
LUART DR
CHINABERRY LN
R P SMITH LN
DEER RUN CT
ROYAL ST
GODWIN RD
THAD SMITH LN
BLAKE ST
MARTHAS LN
HAPPY TRAILS LN
RACHEL DR
ERICA LN
LETCHER LN HIGHLAND DR
E MORRIS CIR
ASPEN AVE
ALVIS CT
CHESTER LN
FAIRWAY LN
WILLIFORD LN
EMMETT RD
DRY FARM LN
BAY TREE LN
LAKESIDE DR
SCENIC WAY
HORSE FARM LN
HILDA DR
CALUMET DR
LUCY LN
GODWIN DR
ERIN DR
DANIEL QUINN LN
BENTLEYS LN
MAGNOLIA DR
KEY LN
MARION DR
HELEN LN
MAMERS RD
LAKESHORE DR
A D HALL RD
PEACE ST
MEMORY LN
SOLIS LN
SENSATION LN
LONEOAK LN
ASHE ST
WILKIE LN
SAPONI TRL
GILES LN
BEACON LN
LAKEWIND CT
H N MCLEAN LN
BARNES DR
DOVE RIDGE LN
RACK CT
GIANT LN
ROOSTER LN
MEREDITH LN
CHEVY LN
FOX RUN
PRAIRIE DR
SPRUCE LN
STEEL CT
LAYLON LN
PEPSI LN
DONNAS LN
DOUG WEST LN
IRENE CT
RYES LNEFFIE LN
ELSIE LAMM RD
NU HOME ST
NASCAR LN
HARDWOOD LN
ROMAS DR
BUIE FARM LN
PA LN
BASIN ST
NC 55 E
US 421 S
US 401 N
NC 27 E
BRADLEY RD
S MAIN ST
EXIT RAMP
NC 210 N
WARREN RD
N MAIN ST
Harnett County Zoning Map /
Map prepared by Harnett County GISCurrency: June 16, 2014Created on: July 10, 2014
Users of this data are hereby notified that thepublic primary information sources should be consulted for verification of the information.All information contained herein was created for theCounty's internal use. Harnett County, its agents andemployees make no warranty as to the correctness oraccuracy of the information set forth on this map, whetherexpress or implied, in fact or in law, including withoutlimitation the implied warranties of merchantabilityand fitness for a particular use.
Legend
Highway Corridor Overlay District
Military Corridor Overlay District
County Boundary
Roads
Rivers
ANGIER
BENSON
COATS
COMM
CONS
DUNN
ERWIN
ETJ
INDUSTRIAL
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
LILLINGTON
OFFICE-INSTITUTIONAL
RA-20M
RA-20R
RA-30
RA-40
ZonIng ordInanCe
The Zoning Map includes
a description of zoning
districts that regulate the use
of property for the purposes
of protecting public health,
safety, property values, and
the general welfare of the
community.
County PolICIes
The Future Land Use map,
adopted in 1999 represents
an evolving vision for the
County and will be updated
during the Comprehensive
Plan Update process.
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WAKECOUNTYHARNETTCOUNTY
W A K E
C O UNTY
JO HNSTO N
C O UNTYCHATHAM
COUNTY
HARNETT
COUNTY
HARNETT
COUNTY
JOHNSTON
COUNTY
HARNETTCOUNTYCUMBERLANDCOUNTY
HARNETT
COUNTYLEE
COUNTY
JO
H
N
ST
O
N
C
O
U
NT
Y
S
A
M
P
S
O
N
C
O
U
N
TY
DUNN
BENSON
FUQUAY-VARINA
ANGIER
COATS
ERWIN
LILLINGTON
FORTBRAGG LittleRiver(LowerLittleRiver)
CapeFearRiver
Upper LittleRiver
Middle Creek
BlackRiver(LittleBlackRiver)(PopesLake-RhodesPond)
MillCreek(Moorewood Pond)
CapeFearRiver
JumpingRun
CapeFearRiver
BlackCreek
0 1.5 30.75 Miles
Date: 4/13/2015 | LDI #: 1014207
Data Source: Harnett County (7/2013)
M U N I C I P A L I T I E S
Disclaimer: This map was created with the best available data, however, it is provided "as is" without warranty of any representation of accuracy, timeliness, reliability or completeness. This map does not represent a legal survey of the land and is for graphical purposes only. Use of this Data for any purpose should be with acknowlegement of the limitations of the Data, including the fact that the Data is dynamic and is in a constant state of maintenance.
¯
ANGIER
DUNN
ERWIN
LILLINGTON
HARNETT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
munICIPal PolICIes
Each municipality in Harnett
County also has land use
policies that are applicable
within municipal limits and
in areas defined as extra-
territorial jurisdictions (ETJ)
exIstIng land use
SouRCe: HaRNeTT CouNTy Tax PaRCeL daTa
exIstIng land use maP
Issues
strong resIdentIal growtH
traffIC CongestIon
$$
laCk of fundIng for servICes
$$
InfrastruCture needs loss of oPen sPaCe, farmland and forests
PreservIng land for non-resIdentIal and emPloyment uses
ImbalanCe In tax base (ReSiDentiaL vS. non-ReSiDentiaL)
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 8
transportation
SouRCe: aMeRICaN CoMMuNIT y SuRvey 2009-2013
average work Commute
30.3 mInutes
CarPool
9.8%
of workersdrIve alone
84.6%
transIt / otHer
1.3%
work atHome walked / bIked
Harnett’s Commute
11,078 30,816 8,559 CommutIng In CommutIng outlIvIng and workIng In Harnett
Planned statewIde transPortatIon ImProvement ProjeCts (stIP)
StiP Project name extent total funding funding timeframe
R-2529 nC 24/27 Widening County Line to NC 87, Widen to multi-lanes $120,700 Unfunded
u-3465 ray road widening NC 210 to Overhills Road $29,728 FY 2015-2017
R-2609 uS 401 Widening / Bypass Fayetteville to Wake County $222,600 Unfunded
i-5133 i-95 Corridor Study South Carolina to Virginia $6,400
i-4906 i-95 Pavement Rehabilitation Cumberland County to Johnston County $1,725 FY 2015-2019
R-5526 i-95 interchange improvement Jonesboro Road Interchange $3,700 Under Construction
R-5523 harnett Central Road Realignment Realign Harnett Central Road at US 401 and Extend Neil Smith Road $1,599 FY 2015
SouRCe: NCdoT, CaMPo, MId-CaRoLINa RPo, FaMPo
otHer PrIorIty ProjeCts*
Project name extent total funding funding timeframe
nC 55 Widening Jicarilla Rd to Rawls Church Rd (Wake County)$11,998 2040
nC 55 Widening Wake County Line to Church Street $8,289 2030
angier Western Connector NC 55 (S of Angier) to Rawls Church Rd $9,710 2040
nC 210 Widening
Widen to Multi-Lanes and Enhance Corridor from Highway 401 in Lillington to Highway 87 in Spring Lake
TBD Unfunded
uS 421 Widening Widen to Multi-Lanes to Include Turning Lane from East City Limit to Dunn-Erwin Road TBD Unfunded
uS 421 Widening Widen to Multi-Lanes and Enhance Corridor from Lillington to Sanford TBD Unfunded
SouRCe: NCdoT, CaMPo, MId-CaRoLINa RPo, FaMPo
roadway
There are 1,852 miles of roadway in Harnett County� even with recent
improvements, including the NC 87 upgrade, as well as the projects that are
planned, significant needs exist�
*SouRCe: CeNTeR FoR NeIgHBoRHood TeCHNoLogy
transPortatIon trends
In suburban areas like Harnett County, drive further distances for daily activity; this drives up the cost
of living� The majority of Harnett residents currently travel outside the County for employment�
$14,251
average annual transPortatIon Costs (CAR OWNERSHIP, TAxES AND REGISTRATION, MAINTENANCE, AND TRAVELS ExPENSES) PER HOUSEHOLD
$$$$
1.94
average number of automobIles Per HouseHold
26,829
average HouseHold veHICle mIles traveled Per year
bICyCle and PedestrIan ProjeCts
Project name Location Cost Status
Lillington Street sidewalk Angier $54,000 Under Construction (CAMPO LAPP funds)
Willow & Roy Street sidewalk connections Angier $192,000 Under Construction (CAMPO LAPP funds)
Ray Road sidewalks Harnett County TBD In NC STIP
SouRCe: NCdoT, CaMPo, MId-CaRoLINa RPo, FaMPo
bICyCle and PedestrIan ProjeCts
otHer PrIorIty ProjeCts
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 9
transportation
ComPreHensIve transPortatIon Plan HIgHway element
bICyCle and PedestrIan faCIlItIes
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 10
n atural resources
Natural resource Issues
Water access passive recreation Active recreAtion
Forest and Farm Preservation
SpecieS preServation
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.
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.
Harnett County Park
& 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.
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.
Water Quality
Urban stormwater
and agriculture
runoff, which
includes sediment
and chemicals, have
unfortunately polluted
and 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.
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 Museum,
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 Bluff
Church, and the Campbell House
combine with historic downtowns and
rolling agricultural lands to create a
beautiful landscape with deep roots.
Cultural resourCes
natural resourCes
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 11
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W A K E
C O U N T Y
J O H N S T O N
C O U N T Y
W A K E
C O U N T YCHATHAM
C O U N T Y
H A R N E T T
C O U N T Y
M O O R E
C O U N T Y
H O K E
C O U N T Y
J O H N S T O N
C O U N T Y
S A M P S O N
C O U N T Y
C U M B E R L A N D
C O U N T Y
L E E
C O U N T Y
Dunn
Fayetteville
Benson
Fuquay-Varina
Coats
Holly
Springs
Spring
Lake
Erwin
Lillington
Sanford
L a k e
S u r f
L a k eTrace
R h o d e s
P o n d
Littl e Riv er(LowerL
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ttle R iv e r )
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R i v e r
NC55E
BRET RD
W I L L LUC AS R D
NC 27 W
NC
87
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NC
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NC210
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Bailey Thomas
Road White
Cedar Stand
Benson
Goldenro d
Site
Big Gully
Wetlands
Byrd Farm
Industrial Park
Natural Area
Camp
Agape
Cape Fear
River
Bluff
Cape Fear
River/Buckhorn
Levees
Cape F ear
River/McKay Island
Floodplain
Carvers
Creek
Sandhills
Carvers Falls
County Line
Road White
Cedar Stand Covington
Road Powerline
Savanna
Dry Fork Pocket
Creek Forest (does
not qualify)
Endor
Iron Furnace
Natural Ar ea
Ferrydell
Fort Bragg
Natural Area
(Central Area)
Fort Bragg Natural
Area (Little
River Area)
Fort Bragg
Natural Area
(Northeast Area)
Fort Bragg
Natural Area
(Overhills Area)
Godwin Cape
Fear River
Bluffs
Hannah
Creek
Swamp
Hog Island
Rare Plant
Site
Horseshoe
Bends
Jim
Branch/Buckhorn
Creek Forests
Juniper
Springs Church
Natural Area
Lemon Springs
Longleaf
Pine Stand
Little
River
Flatwoods
Long
Valley Farm
Natural Area
Lower Little River
(Cumberland/Harnett)
Corridor
Manchester
Sandhills
Middle Creek
Amphibolite Slope
(does not qualify)Middle Creek
Floodplain
Knolls
Overhills
Little River
Terrace
Raven Rock
State Park
Reedy Branch
White
Cedar Stand
Reedys Swamp
Longleaf
Pine Forest
Seaboard
Longleaf
Pine Stand
Slocomb Road
Mesic Forest
Smith
Grove
Ravines
Swann
Juniper
Creek Forest
Swift Creek
Magnolia Slopes
(does not qualify)
Twin Oaks
Trails
Upper Little
River White
Cedar Stand
West Park
Natural
Area
White Pines
Natural Area
Deep River
below High Falls
Aquatic Habitat
0 2.5 51.25 Miles
Date: 5/14/2015 | LDI #: 1014207
Data Source: Harnett County, NCONEMAP, Esri
G R O W T H P R E S S U R E
Disclaimer: This map was created with the best available data, however, it is provided "as is"
without warranty of any representation of accuracy, timeliness, reliability or completeness.
This map does not represent a legal survey of the land and is for graphical purposes only.
Use of this Data for any purpose should be with acknowlegement of the limitations of the Data,
including the fact that the Data is dynamic and is in a constant state of maintenance.
¯
Growth Pressure
Low
Medium Low
Medium
Medium High
High
Very High
Managed Lands
H A R N E T T C O U N T Y, N O R T H C A R O L I N A
bIodIversIty and HabItat
growtH Pressure
n atural resources
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 12
►Carolina ladle crayfish (Cambarus davidi): Significantly Rare
►Sandhills spiny crayfish, Significantly Rare
►Atlantic pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni): Endangered (also a Federal Species of Concern)
►Carolina creekshell (Villosa vaughaniana): Endangered (also a Federal Species of Concern)
►Carolina slabshell (Elliptio congaraea): on the Natural Heritage Program’s ‘Watch List’
►Creeper (Strophitus undulatus): Threatened
►Eastern creekshell (Villosa delumbis): Significantly Rare
►Notched rainbow (Villosa constricta): Special Concern
►Pod lance (Elliptio folliculata): Special Concern
►Triangle floater (Alasmidonta undulata): Threatened
►Roanoke slabshell (Elliptio roanokensis): Threatened
►Yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa): Special Concern
species and Habitats
sPeCIes
ImPortanCe of rare sPeCIes
bIrds
CrustaCeans and fresHwater mussels
fIsH
HerPs
mammals
It is important to protect the whole suite of species found in the ecosystems where endangered species occur. When connected ecosystems
are conserved we prevent the further decline of unlisted species and populations of endangered species that could become further
threatened. Endangered species are our canaries in the coal mine and are a signal that our natural landscapes are in trouble, which can be
important to human welfare and health, and to preserving our cultural heritage. Safeguarding rare species has tangible benefits to tax payer
and the economy. For example water treatment costs are reduced by 20% for every 10% of forest or native grassland in the watershed.
►Bachman’s sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis): Special Concern (also a Federal Species of Concern)
►Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): Threatened (also Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act)
►Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis): Endangered (also Federally Endangered)
►Swainson’s warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii ): Priority Species
►Cape Fear shiner (Notropis mekistocholas): Endangered (also Federally Endangered)
►Carolina redhorse (Moxostoma sp.): Threatened (also a Federal Species of Concern)
►Sandhills chub (Semotilus lumbee): Special Concern (also a Federal Species of Concern)
►Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum): Significantly Rare
►Northern pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus
melanoleucus): Special Concern (also a Federal
Species of Concern)
►Pine barrens treefrog (Hyla andersonii):
Significantly Rare
►Pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius): Special Concern
►Sandhills Salamander, State Watch List
►Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis):
This is a very recent addition - It was just listed as
Federally Threatened on April 2, 2015.
►Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger), State Watch List
CaPe FeaR SHINeR
BaCHMaN’S SPaRRow Fox SQuIRReL
BaLd eagLe SaNdHILLS SaLaMaNdeR
tHe rwC safe Harbor Program
“The North Carolina Red-cockaded
woodpecker Safe Harbor Program is a
state program authorized through an
agreement between u�S� Fish and wildlife
Service and North Carolina wildlife
Resources Commission (wRC) under the
federal endangered Species act (eSa)�
The agreement allows wRC to enter
into voluntary Safe Harbor Management
agreements with non-federal landowners
who agree to implement land management
techniques that benefit RCws in exchange
for regulatory assurances that no additional
eSa restrictions will be imposed as a
result of their management actions�
Landowners decide whether or not they
want to participate in the program and a
management agreement can be terminated
with a 60-day written notice to wRC�”
foR MoRe infoRMation:
http://www�ncwildlife�org/Conserving/
Programs/SafeHarborProgram�aspx
Did you know?
Harnett County is home to
56 species considered rare or
recognized by the state or federal
government as priority, threatened
or endangered species?
Some species including the
Carolina Redhorse fish, the
Sandhills Salamander and the
Carolina Sandhills Crayfish are
found in our region and nowhere
else in the world.
tHreats
Sedimentation and stormwater run-off are major
threats to water quality and aquatic ecosystems
Dispersed residential development can cause
habitat fragmentation and sever ties between
populations of species.
HabItats
Harnett County’s unIQue HabItats
HabItat needs of key sPeCIes
Harnett County is home to a number of headwater streams that provide drinking water to the region’s residents. Forests and farmlands provide timber and food for
nearby residents and contribute to the region’s economy. 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 to name a few. A county’s natural and wildlife heritage can be conserved through enhanced land use planning and by encouraging conservation subdivisions in
sensitive habitats and wildlife travel corridors. Conservation subdivisions cost less to build and maintain and homes near natural areas sell for up to 20 to 36 percent more.
Longleaf pine forest provide habitat
for red-cockaded woodpeckers,
fox squirrels, and other rare and
endangered plants and animals
Carolina Bays provide habitat for Sandhills Salamanders waterfowl and
juvenile gamefish. Small Carolina Bays and many bogs and seeps may not
be protected by state or federal regulations. The upland wildlife habitat
surrounding these wetlands is not regulated by state or federal laws.
Blackwater streams in the southern part of the county serve as headwaters
for cities downstream. Wetlands and forests along these streams protect or
drinking water and priority wildlife habitat.
Ravens Rock State Park provides a
habitat hub for Bald Eagles in the
center of the County.
Species Mature longleaf Pine forest / Savannah
hardwood, floodplain and Riparian forest
Carolina Bays, Bogs, Seeps and Swamps
Red-Cockaded Woodpecker x
Bachman's Sparrow x x
Fox Squirrel x x x
Pine Barrens Treefrog x x
Sandhills Salamander x x x
Bald Eagle x x
Sandhills Crayfish x x
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 13
Parks and recreation
Harnett County Parks
anderson Creek Park
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 14
utilities
utIlItIes In Harnett
overvIew
The Harnett County department of Public utilities
provides water and/or wastewater services to 89-
95% 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 an revised water supply capacity
agreement with Moore County expanding Moore County’s supply to 3 Mgd�
Did you know?
The County provides
water and/or
wastewater services
to up to 95% of its
residents.
water and sewer usage and CaPaCIty
Current CombIned wastewater treatment CaPaCIty NORTH HARNETT
REGIONAL WWTP (5.6 MGD) SOUTH HARNETT WWTP (15 MGD) ExPANSION OF NORTH HARNETT
WWTP TO 7.5 MGD IS PLANNED
Current water treatment CaPaCItyHARNETT COUNTY REGIONAL WTPExPANSION TO 42 MGD IS UNDERWAY
average daIly usage
maxImum daIly usage (june)
water ConneCtIons
average daIly dIsCHarge (february)
sewer ConneCtIons
20.6 mgd27.3 mgd
15.7 mgd
23.4 mgd
37,190
11.8 mgd
11,833
SouRCe: HaRNeTT CouNTy
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 15
sCHools
SouRCe: HaRNeTT CouNTy 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�
elementary sCHools
School 2012-2013 enrollment targeted Capacity
anderson Creek Primary School 668 700
angier elementary School 424 750
Benhaven elementary School 475 420
Boone trail elementary School 591 920
Buies Creek elementary School 314 250
Coats elementary School 724 720
erwin elementary School 280 400
Gentry Primary School 291 250
harnett Primary School 599 740
Highland Elementary School 924 720
Johnsonville elementary School 658 500
Lafayette elementary School 773 500
Lillington-Shawtown elementary School 620 720
north harnett Primary School 465 475
overhills elementary School 944 920
South harnett elementary School 559 600
Wayne avenue elementary School 298 300
mIddle sCHools
School 2012-2013 enrollment targeted Capacity
Coats-erwin Middle School 629 800
highland Middle School 441 650
harnett Central Middle School 1,260 950
overhills Middle School 1,235 800
Western harnett Middle School 1,131 950
HIgH sCHools
School 2012-2013 enrollment targeted Capacity
harnett Central high School 1,488 1,550
overhills high School 1,833 1,500
triton high School 1,402 1,625
Western harnett high School 1,268 1,450
stats and faCts
►20,418 Students
►The Class of 2014 earned over $ 5.5 million in
scholarships.
►Harnett County Schools proudly employs
2,132 staff, including 125 National Board
Certified Teachers.
►27 Schools, 945 acres of land, 3,355,108
square feet of facilities
►Harnett County School’s student-to-
computer ratio ranks 17th out of the
state’s 115 LEAs and 1st among districts of
comparable size.
►94.5%, Three-year average attendance rate
CommunIty faCIlItIes In Harnett County
facilities
Grow Harnett County State of the County : 16
Conclusion
The following set of issues and opportunities were identified during the assessment, refined 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.
►Majority of residents work somewhere else.
►Lower wages and personal incomes compared to neighboring counties.
►Lower percentage of higher educated population compared to neighboring counties.
►Bedroom community status with limited industrial growth in County.
land use
►Return on investment should be a factor in land use decisions and is important 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 future
economic development.
►Identifying ideal locations for new commercial and retail development is necessary to help reverse retail leakage trends.
►Decentralized growth and “leapfrog” development has led to high costs for infrastructure and other government services.
►Replacing working lands with lower priced single family homes (i.e. $130k for Harnett County) results in a significant loss in revenue (about $3 per acre in Harnett County) AND an annual
deficit in costs of services for the same acre of land.
utIlItIes
►Water lines exist throughout the county, but many lines are not sufficient for major subdivisions.
►Future land use plan needs to manage expectations and be informed by water and sewer capacity (current and planned).
►Economic development marketing should be targeted at locations with water and sewer capacity.
►Long term plan needed for trunk lines and potential location of regional pump stations.
►Standards for requiring developers to install/connect to existing gravity sewer lines are needed.
►Opportunity to establish thresholds for cost share and model developer agreements for reimbursement of up-front investments).
►Continue to build on working relationship with municipalities regarding service provision and annexation.
natural resourCes
►Parker, Avetts 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 stormwater and agriculture runoff, which includes sediment and chemicals, have polluted and 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.
►Providing active and passive recreation opportunities will be key to preserving and enhancing 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.
►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 unlisted species that could become threatened by habitat fragmentation.
►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 size of the county and decentralized populations maintaining existing roads will require significant costs in the future.
►There is a need for four lane roads to Wake County and Cumberland County.
►Costs of transportation needs are likely to exceed state and federal funding streams available to Harnett County in the coming years.
►Many Harnett County residents commute significant distances to and from work. This adds to cost of living and reduces the amount of disposable income for households.
►Recruiting good paying jobs and planning for new retail centers in the county would allow more residents to work and shop closer to home.
►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 Harnett County State of the County : 17
Conclusion
The following SwoT analysis was generated by the advisory Committee and supplemented with feedback gathered during the first community meeting�
strengtHs, weaknesses, oPPortunItIes and tHreats
strengtHs
►Location
►Strong population growth
►High rate of young working population
►Higher Ed facilities: Campbell University, ECU Dental, Central Carolina Community College
►Availability of Land
►Water System
►Military Presence/Fort Bragg
►Proximity to I-95
►Part of one of the most prosperous regions in U.S.
►Regionalism/regional brand
►Two hospitals
►History/heritage
►Small, close-knit communities
►Natural Resources: Raven Rock, Cape Fear River
►High-quality forests and farmland
►Top 10 Agriculture county
oPPortunItIes
►Growing industry sectors
►Growing retail sectors (arts, retail, recreation, etc.)
►Leakage in retail means that opportunities for local options are needed
►Growth of medical school
►Aging boomers
►Cape Fear River
►Affordable land
►Good quality of life
►Create vision
►Keep Military families here
►Desire to work together and try something different
►Retraining options for military
►Capitalize on heritage
►Higher Ed
►How do we attract/retain millennials?
►Planned developments (mixed use)
►Build on health care by bringing in research (ex NIH grants)
►Partnership with other universities
►Riverwalk
►421 corridor growth
►Med/Ed corridor
►Recreation destinations (parks, trails, cycling)
►Natural tourism (blueways, Raven Rock)
►Philanthropy/church groups
weaknesses
►Lower wages and personal incomes
►Lower percentage of higher education
►No four-lane roads
►Public school system
►Lack of incentives
►Lack of amenities
►Bedroom community
►Lack of shopping / Significant retail leakage
►No commercial tax base
►Lack of utilities other than water (gas, sewer, electric)
►No incorporated municipalities on western side of county
►Lack of skilled labor
►Brain drain
►No entertainment
►No county-wide chamber
►Lack of broadband internet along 87-corridor
►Win/lose mentality
►Lack of shared vision
►Lack of entrepreneurship
tHreats
►Bedroom community status with limited industry growth in county
►Maintaining wealth growth while population increases
►Falling behind other counties every day (Wake, Johnston, Moore)
►Lack of communication/public awareness
►Short-term decision making
►Population in county is spread out
►Internal and external competition
►Disparity in schools
►No incorporated municipalities on western side of county
►Tax base
►Transient population in western part of county
►Cultural segregation
►Lack of funding
►Tax base revaluation
►Losing identity
►Uncontrolled growth
►Idle
►Communities not working with each other
►Military population draw down
►Lack of a new generation of farmers
Comprehensive
Growth plan 2015
draft
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
Ronnie Autry - City of Dunn, City Manager
Greg Burns - NCDOT, District 2 Engineer
Kenny Cole - Town of Coats, Town Manager
Kacy Cook - North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission,
Wildlife Biologist
Britt Davis - Campbell University, Vice President of Institutional
Advancement
Carl Davis - Harnett County Park and Recreation, Director
Jim Dougherty - Regional Land Use Advisory Commission
Richard Douglas - Town of Erwin, Town Manager
Tyrone Fisher - Harnett County Cooperative Extension, Director
Richie Hines - NCDOT, District 2 Engineer
Mike Jones - Harnett County Health, Vice President, Support
Services
Jon Matthews - Central Carolina Community College, Associate
Provost
Jimmy McCormick - Western Harnett Industrial Park Board, Member
Glenn McFadden - Harnett County Public Utilities
Leanne Nance - Research Triangle Research Partnership, Executive
Vice President
Rev. Ben Pierce - Baptist Grove Church, Pastor
Coley Price - Town of Angier, Town Manager
Jason Price - Jason Price Construction, Owner
Glen Prilliman - Fort Bragg, Garrison Commander
Jim Roberts - Campbell University, Vice President for Business and
Treasurer
Andy Ruhland - Ruhl Tech, Owner
Bill Summers - Town of Lillington, Town Manager
Johnson Tilghman - Harnett Forward Together Committee, Chairman
Scott Tripp - Bank Of America, Bank Of America Chair
Steve Ward - Harnett County Public Utilities
County Commission
Jim Burgin - Chairman
C. Gordon Springle - Vice Chairman
Joe Miller
Barbara McKoy
Abe Elmore
planninG Board
Jay Smith - Chairman
Kathy Wood - Vice Chairman
Everett Blake
William Elmore
Chris Nystrom
Carnell Robinson
Rachael Ray-Webb
teChniCal Committee
Joseph Jefferies, County Manager
Mark Locklear, Planning Services Director
Nick Dula, Economic Development Director
Jay Sikes, Manager of Planning Services
Landon Chandler, Senior Planner
Matt Talbott, Planner I
Brian Haney, Public Information Officer
Consultant team
Meg Nealon, LandDesign
Kate Pearce, LandDesign
Jake Petrosky, LandDesign
Dale Stewart, LandDesign
Teb Abernathy, Economic Leadership
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
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
5. implementation aCtion plan . . . . . . . . . . .62
6. appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 1
Grow harnett
County
2 : Grow harnett County
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.
introduCtion
Figure 1: estimated and Projected growth
source: nc office of state Budget and management Projections,
us census Bureau
estimated and projected Growth
1990 2000 2010 2013 2020 2030 2040
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
68,030
91,393
115,789 124,987
138,799
168,712
182,889
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 3
maP 1: study area did you know?
from 2010-2014, harnett was the third-fastest-growing County in north Carolina.
source: nc office of state Budget
and management
4 : Grow harnett County
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
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.
plan development
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.
land use
eConomiC development
natural resourCes
utilities
transportation
Figure 2: Five Focus areas
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 5
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.
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.
previous planninG efforts
harnett County land use plan
neill’s Creek land use study
2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 20072004
parks and recreation master plan
Figure 3: Previous Planning eFForts timeline
2004
2009 2010 2011 2013 2014 201520082012
wastewatermaster plan
Grow harnett County
regional Growth management strategy for the fort Bragg region
harnett County Comprehensive transportation plan
working lands protection plan
6 : Grow harnett County
plan development
development of future
land use concepts with
supporting illustrations
and imagery
the five phases
the planninG proCess
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
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.
1 2 3 4 5project initiation
data collection, review of
existing plans & studies,
kick-off meeting, study
area tour
inventory and assessment
assessment of current
and emerging conditions,
and identification of
issues and opportunities
recommendationsand strategies
creation of policies and
action steps to realize the
desired Future land use
Plan
plan documentation
collection of plan
components into a final
plan report document to
be presented for adoption
Figure 4: the Planning Process
▲Grow Harnett County was informed by public input from a variety of sources including workshops, stakeholder interviews and online participation.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 7
Guiding development of the plan was an inclusionary
public engagement process. Understanding community
values ensures that this plan, implemented in accordance
with the recommendations, supports and advances
those priorities over the long term. The process included
traditional methods and new techniques to encourage a
diverse group of citizens to contribute to the plan.
advisory Committee
This effort was guided by an Advisory Committee, made
up primarily of residents and business owners, and also
included representatives from the planning board and
the development community. This group met regularly
through the process to give direction, provide feedback,
and advise the project team on plan concepts and
recommendations. A list of the Advisory Committee
members can be found in the Acknowledgements section
of this document.
teChniCal Committee
A committee made up primarily of Harnett County
staff provided technical support to the planning
effort. Representatives from public safety, economic
development, engineering, parks and recreation, planning
and public utilities. A list of the Technical Committee
members is listed in the Acknowledgements section of
this report.
stakeholder interviews
Stakeholder interviews were conducted to verify and
supplement the data gathered, to explain the conditions
observed and to further understand the issues and
opportunities that affect the study area. The input from
these interviews supplemented the feedback received
directly from citizens and property owners participating
in the process. The stakeholders included key personnel
from County departments as well as representatives
from a variety of interest groups including real estate
developers and brokers, home owners associations,
religious institutions, the school district, health
department and others.
Community meetinGs
Community meetings were held throughout the planning
process to provide an opportunity for the public to
come together and learn about the project and guide
development of the vision for the future of Harnett
County. During the first meeting, residents met to learn
about the project, refine the understanding of issues and
opportunities established by the Advisory Committee
and comment on alternative land use scenarios. An
interactive map was available for conveying land use
and natural resource issues that need to be addressed
through the planning process. The second community
meeting was designed as a visioning session to develop
the Future Land Use element of the project and to
identify strategies to realize this vision.
survey
An online survey was sent out to elected officials,
Advisory Committee members and posted on the Harnett
County website.
major findings from the survey included the following:
►Family ties, small town lifestyle and housing
affordability are the top 3 reasons people choose to
live in Harnett County.
►Rural character, jobs and safety also ranked high.
►Campbell University and the Cape Fear River are
two of Harnett County’s most important assets.
►Major perceived advantages for economic
development include highway accessibility, housing
costs, and quality of life.
►Major perceived disadvantages for economic
development include attractiveness to young
people, quality of public schools and availability
of advanced information and communication
technology services.
►Health and educational services, agriculture and
military industries are most important to Harnett’s
success.
puBliC involvement
8 : Grow harnett County
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 9
issues &
o pportunities
10 : Grow harnett County
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 available 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 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.
issues and opportunities
▲Cape Fear River.▲Harnett County Courthouse.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 11
land use
A historically decentralized, auto-dependent growth pattern
has led to increased traffic, high costs for infrastructure, and
impacts to 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.
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 10% 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.
maP 2: existing land use maP
12 : Grow harnett County
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
(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.
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
Figure 5: retail leakage
source: economic leadership estimates based on economic modeling specialists international (2015) and us Bureau of economic analysis (2014)
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.
-$6.5 million
-$7.6 million
-$29.5 million
-$12.8 million-$34.3 million
sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument and book stores
furniture and home stores
motor vehicle and parts dealers
electronics and appliance storesGeneral merchandise stores
-$14.1 million
Clothing & apparel stores
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 13
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 some 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.
14 : Grow harnett County
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 to name a few.
As the population increases there is growing demand for
passive recreational facilities, including greenways and 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 by
encouraging 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 current and future
residents a diverse set of recreational opportunities.
Water
access
passive
recreation
Active
recreAtion
Forest & Farm
Preservation
SpecieS
preServation
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.
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.
Harnett County Park
& 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.
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.
Water
Quality
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.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 15
maP 3: Biodiversity and haBitat maP 4: growth Pressure
maP 5: natural resources
16 : Grow harnett County
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.
Due to this 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 once-
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.
Figure 6: harnett’s commute
source: american community survey 2009-2013
averaGe work Commute
30.3 minutes
Carpool
9.8%
of workers
drive alone
84.6%
transit /
other
1.3%
work at
home
3.1%
walked /
Biked
1.3%
harnett’s Commute
11,078 30,816 CommutinG in CommutinG outlivinG and workinG in harnett
8,559
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 17
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 caPacity
Current ComBined wastewater
treatment CapaCity
north harnett
regional wwtP (5.6 mgd)
south harnett wwtP (15 mgd)
exPansion oF north harnett
wwtP to 7.5 mgd is Planned
averaGe daily
usaGe
maximum daily usaGe
(June)
water
ConneCtions
averaGe daily disCharGe
(feBruary)
sewer ConneCtions
20.6 mGd27.3 mGd
15.7 mGd
23.4 mGd
37,190
11.8 mGd
11,833
source: harnett county
Current water
treatment CapaCity
harnett county regional wtP
exPansion to 42 mgd is
underway
18 : Grow harnett County
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 19
harnett
County’s future
20 : Grow harnett County
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
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.
Business as usual scenario (Bau)
sCenarios
development of the future land use plan
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 impacts to military operations, and
wildlife habitats.
►new development impacting over 38,000 acres of
working lands
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 21
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CHATHAM
COUNTY
HARNETT
COUNTY
HARNETT
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C OUNTY
H A R N E T T
C O U N T Y
C U M B E R L A N D
C O U N T Y
HARNETT
COUNTYLEE
COU NTY
MOORE
COUNTY
LEECOUNTY Dunn
Fayetteville
Benson
Fuquay-Varina
Angier
Coats
SpringLake
Erwin
Lillington
Sanford
AverasboroBattlefield StateHistoric Site
CarversCreekState Park
Endor IronFurnace StateHistoric Site
Fort BraggMilitaryReservation
Moore CountyOpen Space
Raven RockState Park
Rhodes PondGame Land
NC AgriculturalDevelopment and FarmlandPreservation Easement
NC Clean WaterManagement TrustFund Easement
NC Department ofCultural ResourcesEasement
NC EcosystemEnhancementProgram Easement
US Fish andWildlifeService Easement
WetlandReserve ProgramEasement
Endor IronFurnace DNP
RavenRock StatePark DNP
LakeSurf
LakeTrace
RhodesPond
Deep River
BuckhornCreek (Harris L ake)MiddleCreek
UpperLittle R iver
BlackCreek (Partins
Pond-PantherLake)
SouthRiver
SwiftCreek
BlackRiver(LittleBlackRiver)(PopesLak
e-R
hodesPond)
LittleRiver(LowerLittleRiver)
Cape
FearRiver
JumpingRun
BlackCreek
LittleJuniper Creek
DeepRiver
CapeFearRiver
CraneCreek(Craine
Creek)(LakeSurf)
Buckhorn Creek (H arrisLake)
HawRiver Buckhorn Creek(Harris Lake)
DeepRiver
DeepRiver
0 2.5 51.25 Miles
Date: 4/22/2015 | LDI #: 1014207
Data Source: Harnett County (7/2013)
N A T U R A L A S S E T S C O N C E P T
Disclaimer: This map was created with the best available data, however, it is provided "as is" without warranty of any representation of accuracy, timeliness, reliability or completeness. This map does not represent a legal survey of the land and is for graphical purposes only. Use of this Data for any purpose should be with acknowlegement of the limitations of the Data, including the fact that the Data is dynamic and is in a constant state of maintenance.
¯
Natural Assets
Protected Areas
High Biodiversity / Critical to Conserve
Conservation Subdivisions / LID
Rural / Agriculture
Growth Focus Areas
Municipalities
Potential Urban Service Areas
HARNETT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
!
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J O H N S T O N
C O U N T Y
CHATHAM
COUNTY
HARNETT
COUNTY
HARNETT
C OUNTYMOORE
C OUNTY
H A R N E T T
C O U N T Y
C U M B E R L A N D
C O U N T Y
HARNETT
COUNTYLEE
COU NTY
MOORE
COUNTY
LEECOUNTY Dunn
Fayetteville
Benson
Fuquay-Varina
Angier
Coats
Spring
Lake
Erwin
Lillington
Sanford
AverasboroBattlefield StateHistoric Site
CarversCreekState Park
Endor IronFurnace StateHistoric Site
Fort BraggMilitaryReservation
Moore CountyOpen Space
Raven RockState Park
Rhodes PondGame Land
NC AgriculturalDevelopment and FarmlandPreservation Easement
NC Clean WaterManagement TrustFund Easement
NC Department ofCultural ResourcesEasement
NC EcosystemEnhancementProgram Easement
US Fish andWildlifeService Easement
WetlandReserve ProgramEasement
Endor IronFurnace DNP
RavenRock StatePark DNP
LakeSurf
LakeTrace
RhodesPond
Deep River
BuckhornCreek (Harris L ake)MiddleCreek
UpperLittle R iver
BlackCreek (PartinsPond-PantherLake)
South
River
SwiftCreek
BlackRiver(LittleBlackRiver)(PopesLake-Rh
odes
Pond)
LittleRiver(LowerLittleRiver)
Cape
FearRiver
JumpingR
un
BlackCreek
LittleJuniper Creek
DeepRiver
CapeFearRiver
CraneCreek(Craine
Creek)(LakeSurf)
Buckhorn Creek (H arrisLake)
HawRiver Buckhorn Creek(Harris Lake)
DeepRiver
DeepRiver
0 2.5 51.25 Miles
Date: 4/22/2015 | LDI #: 1014207
Data Source: Harnett County (7/2013)
S T R O N G T O W N S A N D C E N T E R S C O N C E P T
Disclaimer: This map was created with the best available data, however, it is provided "as is" without warranty of any representation of accuracy, timeliness, reliability or completeness. This map does not represent a legal survey of the land and is for graphical purposes only. Use of this Data for any purpose should be with acknowlegement of the limitations of the Data, including the fact that the Data is dynamic and is in a constant state of maintenance.
¯
Existing and Future Activity Centers
!Downtown / Employment Center
!New Employment Node
!!New Mixed Use Node
Employment Mixed Use
Land Use Pattern
Municipalities
Medium Density
Suburban (Low Density)
Rural
Very Rural
HARNETT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
strong towns (st)
natural assets scenario (na)
preferred scenario (ps)
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
ecosystems 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 equates 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)
22 : Grow harnett County
introduCtion
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.
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
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.
future land use plan
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.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 23
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Anderson
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South
Harnett
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LaFayette
Elementary
North
Harnett
Primary
Johnsonville
ElementaryBenhaven
Elementary
Boone Trail
Elementary
Buies Creek
Elementary
Coats
Elementary
Gentry
Primary
Triton
High
Cameron
Elementary
Western
Harnett
High
Western
Harnett
Middle
STAR Academy
Harnett
Central
Middle
Pine
Forest
Middle
Erwin
Elementary
Harnett
Primary
Wayne
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Elem
Benson
Elementary
Benson
Middle
Cleveland
Elementary
Cleveland
Middle
Benjamin T
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Elem
Bragg
Street
Academy
Broadway
Elementary
Deep River
Elementary
East Lee
Middle
Floyd L Knight
Children
Center
Lee
County
High
J Glenn
Edwards
Elementary
Tramway
Elementary
VassLakeview
Elementary
Plain View
Elementary
FuquayVarina
Middle
Lincoln
Heights
Elementary
Willow
Springs
Elementary
FuquayVarina
High
Overhills
Middle
Polenta
Elementary
Harnett
Central
High
Highland
Elementary
Overhills
High
McGee's
Crossroads
Middle
West
Johnston
High
Dunn
Middle
CoatsErwin
Middle
Dixon Road
Elementary
Lee
Early
College
McGee's
Crossroads
Elem
West View
Elementary
Southern
Lee High
School
LillingtonShawtown
Elementary
Warren Williams
Elementary
Alternative
Crain's
Creek
Middle
SanLee
Middle
School
Overhills
Elementary
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Date: 9/8/2015 | LDI #: 1014207
Data Source: Harnett County (7/2013)
D
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Disclaimer: This map was created with the best available data, however, it is provided "as is"
without warranty of any
representation
of
accuracy, timeliness, reliability
or completeness.
This map does not represent
a legal survey
of the land and is
for graphical purposes only.
Use of this Data for any purpose should be with acknowlegement of the limitations of the Data,
including
the
fact
that
the
Data
is
dynamic
and
is
in
a
constant
state
of
maintenance.
¯
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maP 7: Future land use maP
24 : Grow harnett County
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 ½ 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.
future land use CateGories
▲Protected Areas ▲Environmentally Sensitive Areas ▲Agricultural and Rural Residential Areas
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 25
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.
▲Low Density Residential ▲Compact Mixed Use ▲Employment Mixed Use
G row harnett
reCommendations
28 : Grow harnett County
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.
Goals & strateGies
land use Goals
Goal LU-1: 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-5: 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.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 29
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 I-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 I-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 i-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.
30 : Grow harnett County
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-3.2.1: 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.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 31
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
amenities and organizing elements
Buildings oriented towards
the street with minimal
parking in front improve
aesthetics and walkability of
development
single-family neighborhoods
provide a transition from the
development node to rural areas
Consolidating drive-cuts and connected
collector streets are key to maintaining
mobility around and access to commercial
nodes
Figure 8: develoPment node e xamPle (in suPPort oF lu-3)
32 : Grow harnett County
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-6.2
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).
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 33
Figure 10: context sensitive rural residential examPle (in suPPort oF lu-6)
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.
Design criteria could include:
►20 lot maximum
►average lot size > 1 acre
►design of home sites to preserve key views and
natural features
►minimal grading and disturbance of mature trees
and wildlife habitat
►alternative street standards
►swale sections (instead of curb and gutter)
►reduced sidewalk requirements (i.e. trails or multi-
use path)
►open space requirements
For more information see City of Raleigh Sensitive Area Street Standards at www.raleighnc.gov/content/extra/
Books/PlanDev/UnifiedDevelopmentOrdinance/#237
34 : Grow harnett County
Figure 11: ProPosed military corridor BuFFer (in suPPort oF lu-7).
Development within the Military Corridor Buffer should be compatible with current and future military operations.
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.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 35
Figure 12: harnett county cost oF l and 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.
$(1,000)
$-
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
$5,000
SFD High
($300,000)
SFD Average
($190,000)
SFD Low
($130,000)
Townhouse
($150,000)
Multifamily Unit
($100,000)
Retail Office Industrial
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.
36 : Grow harnett County
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.
eConomiC development Goals
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 37
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, I-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.
38 : Grow harnett County
maP 9: economic develoPment oPPortunity maP
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 39
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.
The North Carolina Certified Site Program states:
To obtain the Certified Sites designation, communities must undergo a stringent review process that
demonstrates that they’ve addressed 31 prerequisites, including business/industrial use designation,
phase I environment audits, geo-technical studies, topographical analysis and maps, aerial photography,
availability of public utilities, industrial power quality, engineered site development plans, detailed analysis
of development cost, and complete information on pricing.
In recent years nearby counties such as Randolph, Wilson and Chatham Counties have
developed aggressive mega-site programs to attract new investment. Significant public
funds have been allocated to position the sites for investment.
40 : Grow harnett County
▲Western Harnett Industrial Park ▲Central Harnett Hospital
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.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 41
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.
Public-Private Partnerships:
The Chatham County Economic Development Corporation is a good example of a public-
private partnership that receives public funds and private donations. Governance, in
the form of a board of directors, includes both public appointees and others from the
private sector. The annual operating budget is $500,000-$600,000 annually; but even
so marketing funds are usually less than $100,000. The organization’s strategic plan
prioritizes (1) Improving the physical product, increasing support to existing businesses,
creating new recruitment clients, and leading a workforce development transition.
42 : Grow harnett County
natural resourCe Goals
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.
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.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 43
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).
An effective way to minimize impacts to wildlife and other natural resources is to use
conservation data as a first step in development review procedures. This approach has
been used by Chatham County since 2008 and they have documented a significant
reduction in time to development approval and staff time needed to guide developments
to approval.
44 : Grow harnett County
▲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)
policy nr-2.3
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 .
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 45
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KEY ECOLOGICAL CONNECTIONS IN THE NC 210/ RAY ROAD VICINITY AND BETWEEN
ANDERSON CREEK PARK AND FORT BRAGG IN THE NURSERY ROAD AREA
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Figure 14: key ecological connections (in suPPort oF nr-2).
46 : Grow harnett County
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 nc 210 south of lillington. (ai)
►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
r iver.
►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 #2
and #3 on the lower cape Fear river to improve striped bass access to historic spawning
habitat in harnett county.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 47
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.
Figure 14: caPe Fear ecotourism maP (in suPPort oF nr-3).
48 : Grow harnett County
▲Dunn Erwin Trail ▲Anderson Creek Park
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).
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 49
Figure 15: harnett county natural 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/1KAH0yt
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.
50 : Grow harnett County
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.
transportation Goals
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 51
transportation strateGies
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 I-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 i-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 TRANS-2.1.1: 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 harnett 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
◆i-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
52 : Grow harnett County
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.
Figure 16: connectivity and Block Pattern e xamPle (in suPPort oF trans-2)
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.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 53
▲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.
54 : Grow harnett County
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
◆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.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 55
The first phase of the Upper Cape Fear
River Greenway could be constructed
as part of the Harnett County
Recreation Park and Fairgrounds
Complex
Figure 17: caPe Fear greenway concePt (in suPPort oF trans-4).
Proposed cross-section for Upper Cape
Fear River Greenway
►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.
56 : Grow harnett County
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 (WWTP) 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 WWTP 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 development goals with utility planning and
investments.
Goal UTILITY-5: Support the provision of natural gas in underserved areas.
utilities Goals
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 57
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
◆i-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
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 wwtP.
58 : Grow harnett County
►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
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 I-95 corridor.
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).
The current Harnett County Water and Sewer Ordinance states that
Developers must demonstrate that a project will yield a minimum value
of $250,000 tax base per lot in order for the Harnett County Department
of Public Utilities Director to assist in easement acquisition. This threshold
should be re-evaluated in light of the Updated Future Land Use Map and fiscal
impact trends of new development to determine an appropriate criteria for
determining if Harnett County should intervene to encourage connection to
gravity lines.
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 59
►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).
Knightdale’s Water Allocation Policy is an example of an innovative approach
to encouraging quality development. A proposed development must obtain
a certain number of points to receive water allocation if the proposal is over
a minimum density. Points can be awarded for non-residential uses, roadway
improvements, gateway improvements, transit facilities, and amenities
(including greenways). See Knightdale’s Ordinance for more details.
For More Information: www.knightdalenc.gov/index.aspx?page=460
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.
implementation
aC tion plan
62 : Grow harnett County
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 timeFrame responsibility
l
a
n
d
u
s
e
strateGy lu-1.5.1/3.2.1: develop small-area concept plans that
can be used to brand and market future employment, retail and
mixed use centers as well as illustrate access points, collector street
configurations, building orientation and reduce future land use
conflicts.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, economic development
commission
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.
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, harnett county tax
assessor
strateGy lu-3.3.1/3.3.2 update design guidelines for compact
mixed use areas. consider guidelines or standards similar to the
highway corridor overlay district. where applicable (i.e. near
development nodes), require new buildings to be located close to the
street with minimal parking in front.
ONGOING /
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, Planning Board, Board of
commissioners
strateGy lu-5.3.1: Promote low density, context sensitive residential
in the agricultural and rural residential areas shown on the Future
land use map by allowing flexibility in street design if rural residential
standards are met.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, Planning Board, Board of
commissioners
strateGy lu-5.4.1: Provide printed information on land conservation
programs in the planning department and other county offices and
through the county web page.
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, sandhills area land
trust
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.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, Planning Board, Board of
commissioners
strateGy lu-6.2.1: study potentially adding an airport overlay
district to the unified development ordinance that minimizes conflicts
with airport activities.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, Planning Board, Board of
commissioners
strateGy lu-7.2.1: adopt a minimum housing code or regularly fund
a problem properties program.
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, Planning Board, Board of
commissioners
eco
n
o
m
i
c
de
v
e
l
o
p
m
e
n
t
strateGy ed -1.1: develop “brand” around cost-competitiveness,
i-95, proximity to wake county and Fort Bragg, business-friendliness,
and the opportunities of a growing c ampbell university and the
training resources of central carolina community college.
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county economic development
strateGy ed -1.2: update and strengthen the economic development
web site.
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county economic development
strateGy ed -2.1: structure a visitation program in conjunction with
municipalities, chambers of commerce, and other partners.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county economic development
strateGy ed -3.1: develop a realistic inventory of “ready” buildings
and sites based on a “certified” model.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county economic development
strateGy ed -3.2: Partner with county and municipal utility
providers to accurately establish current utility availability to targeted
sites.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county economic development
appendix a: IMPLEMENTATION
implementation aCtion plan
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 63
goal timeFrame responsibility
ec
o
n
o
m
i
c
de
v
.
strateGy ed-4.2: evaluate the creation of a public-private
partnership that would jointly fund and administer the county’s
economic development effort.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county economic development
nat
u
r
a
l
res
o
u
r
c
e
s
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.
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department
strateGy nr-2.3.3: revise udo to specify priority
conservation areas that should be set aside as open space in
compatibility developments.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, Planning Board, Board of
commissioners
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.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, Planning Board, Board of
commissioners, nc wildlife resources commission, nc department
of environment and natural resources
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
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Parks & recreation department
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.
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county Parks & recreation department, dunn tourism
strateGy nr-4.1 .1:locate new park facilities in under-served
sectors.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Parks & recreation department
tr
a
n
s
p
o
r
t
a
t
i
o
n
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 i-540.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, capital area metropolitan
Planning organization, north carolina department of transportation
strateGy trans-2.1.2: identify new-location collector street
alignments in growth areas to be constructed with development.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, capital area metropolitan
Planning organization (camPo), Fayetteville area metropolitan
Planning organization (FamPo), mid-carolina rural Planning
organization, north carolina department of transportation
strateGy trans-4.1.2: Build the capacity for maintaining,
improving and constructing publicly owned greenways.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, Parks & recreation
department
strateGy trans-4.1.3: Pursue funding for first section of
cape Fear river greenway near lillington.
MEDIUM TERM
(2-3 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, Parks & recreation
department
strateGy trans-5.3: coordinate with municipalities, camPo,
FamPo, the mid-carolina rPo and ncdot to update the
harnett county comprehensive transportation Plan (ctP).
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county Planning department, capital area metropolitan
Planning organization, north carolina department of transportation
ut
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
strateGy utility-2.2.1: Fund pump station upgrades and
transmission infrastructure that facilitates transfer of wastewater
from nc 87 corridor to south harnett wwtP.
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county Public utilities
strateGy utility-4.2: update easement acquisition policies
to allow for greater flexibility so that harnett county can
intervene on behalf of developers’ to allow connections to neill’s
creek basin gravity sewer line (west of angier).
SHORT TERM
(1-2 YEARS)
harnett county Public utilities
appendix a: IMPLEMENTATION
64 : Grow harnett County
Comprehensive Growth Plan : 65
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Data Source: NC Wildlife Resource Commission
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Disclaimer: This map was created with the best available data, however, it is provided "as is"
without
warranty
of any representation of accuracy,
timeliness,
reliability or
completeness.
This map does not
represent a
legal survey of the
land
and
is for graphical purposes only.
Use of this Data for any purpose should be with acknowlegement of the limitations of the Data,
including
the
fact
that
the
Data
is
dynamic
and
is
in
a
constant
state
of
maintenance.
¯
Potential Upland Habitat
NHP Natural Areas
Managed Lands
Compatibility Development Target Areas
High Quality Watershed
H
A
R
N
E
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T
C
O
U
N
T
Y,
NO
R
T
H
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A
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L
I
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Comprehensive Growth Plan Appendix: 67
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68 : Grow harnett County
Alt
scenArio
Alt
scenArio
Alt
scenArio
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.
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.
Determine
components of
future lAnD use
concept
evAluAte
performAnce
of scenArios us-
ing inDicAtors
recommenDAtions
model development scenario development scenario analysis preferred scenario developmentdata Collection
DAtA
DAtA
DA t A
Develop
goAls/objectives
De
v
e
l
o
p
in
Dic
Ato
r
s
growth
moDel
business-
As-usuAl
Alt
scenArio
Alt
scenArio
Alt
scenArio
future lAnD
use concept
inDicAtors
stAkeholDer engAgement
sCenario planninG proCess
sCenario planninG
Figure 4: scenario Planning
Comprehensive Growth Plan Appendix: 69
Business as usual scenario (Bau)strong towns (st)
natural assets scenario (na)preferred scenario (ps)
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.
distriBution of Growth
each scenario illustrates how growth responds to different land use, transportation, economic development and infrastructure
policies.
1 dot = 3 homes
1 dot = 3 jobs
1 dot = 3 homes
1 dot = 3 jobs
1 dot = 3 homes
1 dot = 3 jobs
1 dot = 3 homes
1 dot = 3 jobs
70 : Grow harnett County
Bau st na ps
indiCator
total homes Forecasted 30,558 30,558 30,558 30,558
total jobs Forecasted 22,783 22,783 22,783 22,783
acres of prime industrial lands 15,593 15,593 15,593 15,593
acres of office and industrial lands 11,510 17,300 11,510 16,920
working lands impacted 38,837 25,946 25,405 30,782
new students 9,784 9,784 9,784 9,784
number of new homes in high noise Zones 148 14 17 14
number of new homes in 500ft Fly Zone* 455 100 8 102
number of new homes in 1000ft Fly Zone* 1,627 556 570 651
acres of critical to conserve lands impacted by new development 3,330 1,370 1,410 1,800
acres of important to conserve lands impacted by new development 22,700 6,230 12,200 11,450
acres of prime agriculture lands impacted by new development 38,837 25,946 25,405 30,782
acres of forest impacted by new development 36,750 24,334 22,793 28,233
acres of new impervious surface in critical watersheds** 262 90 45 75
acres of natural assets impacted 40,526 24,716 21,862 28,760
number of new homes near Priority habitat corridors 1,185 458 336 507
number of new homes near smoke awareness areas 358 41 55 58
number of new homes adjacent to significant natural heritage areas 1,893 1,440 467 1,440
wildlife habitat impacted 23,109 16,816 8,448 16,205
number of new homes in municipal limits 2,782 5,098 1,021 4,262
urban Footprint 92,260 67,570 62,290 77,110
number of new homes in utility focus areas 17,907 25,539 30,024 26,627
number of new jobs in utility focus areas 22,574 24,090 25,006 24,313
utility demand inside utility focus areas*** 7,862,850 9,998,250 11,256,900 10,303,700
utility demand outside utility focus areas*** 3,491,750 1,376,150 135,150 1,025,750
number of new homes within a 10-minute drive of health care facility 4,153 7,936 3,236 6,231
number of new homes within a 10-minute walk of an existing school 3,725 4,834 4,760 4,922
sCenario planninG report Card
results key
=
worse than
Business as
=
less than 10%
change from
Business as
usual
=
significant
improvement
compared to
Business as
=Best
improvement
compared to
Business as
scenario key
Bau
Business as usual
st
strong towns
na
natural assets
ps
Preferred scenario
*Flight Buffer, 500 ft and 1000ft Flight Zones from RLUAC Telecommunications Tower Study 2008
**Critical Watersheds include Water Supply Watersheds Level I-III and High Quality Waters
***Utility focus area defined by areas that are currently or easily served by water and sewer
Comprehensive Growth Plan Appendix: 71
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0 2.5 51.25 Miles
Date: 8/19/2015 | LDI #: 1014207Data Source: Harnett County (7/2013)
D R A F T F U T U R E L A N D U S E M A P
Disclaimer: This map was created with the best available data, however, it is provided "as is" without warranty of any representation of accuracy, timeliness, reliability or completeness. This map does not represent a legal survey of the land and is for graphical purposes only. Use of this Data for any purpose should be with acknowlegement of the limitations of the Data, including the fact that the Data is dynamic and is in a constant state of maintenance.
¯
Environmenta l and Military
Protected Areas
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Compatibility Development Target Areas
Military Corridor Buffer
Agricultural
Agricultural and Rural Residential
Resident ia l Focus Areas
Low Density R esidential
Medium Density Residential
Deve lopm ent N odes
Compact Mixed Use
Rural Center
Employment Mixed Use
Municipal Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)
H A R N E T T C O U N T Y, N O R T H C A R O L I N A
Harnett County FLU Descriptions
Environmental and Military
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 d evelopment 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 ½ 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
Agricultural and Rural Residential: Primarily a gricultural 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 encou raging only low
intensity uses, single family residential up to one unit per acre and context sensitive rural design.
Residential Focus 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 dest inations 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.
1
Harnett County has experienced significant population growth over the past two decades.
Harnett's location, high quality school system and relatively low cost of living continue to draw
thousands of residents to its boundaries. Despite strong residential growth, basic economic
indicators reveal an economy with many challenges.
A significant majority of residents, 64 percent, commute outside Harnett County for work each
day. The County's jobs to household ratio is the lowest among neighboring counties, positioning
Harnett County as a "bedroom community" for Wake, Cumberland and Lee counties. No progress
has been made to balance workers and jobs in recent years.
There has been little job growth. The number of jobs based in Harnett County 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. The quality of local jobs needs to be improved. Wage and income levels for Harnett
residents are below neighboring counties and significant retail sales leakage results in reduced
sales tax collections.
2015
Economic
Development
Plan
Executive
Summary
STRENGTHS
uStrong population growth
uHigh rate of young working
population growth
uLocation near highly
competitive Raleigh-Cary &
Durham-Chapel Hill metros
uLocation adjacent to Fort Bragg
uI-95 access
uCampbell University growth
uStrong Community College
training capacity
WEAKNESSES
uSignificant out-commuting of workers
uLimited recent job growth
uSignificant retail leakage
uLower wages and personal incomes
than surrounding counties
uLow “higher education” attainment
uLimited availability of competitive
shovel ready sites and in-demand
buildings
OPPORTUNITIES
uGrowing industrial sectors
uLeakage in retail creates
opportunities for local retail
growth
uIndustrial-logistics along I-95
uHigher education-health
synergies
THREATS
uUrbanization impacts on ability to
attract younger talent
uBedroom community status with
limited industry growth in county
uMaintaining wealth growth while
population increases
uFort Bragg personnel contraction
uLack of economic development
capacity to respond to opportunities
2
Summary
of
Recommendations
Guiding
Overall Recommendations
u Begin a limited, but targeted business attraction and marketing effort,
u Support existing industry to encourage retention and expansion of jobs, and
u Improve the overall economic product.
Concentrate future economic growth in the Campbell health-education corridor, along the
I-95 corridor, in pockets contiguous to high residential concentrations for retail and services, and
in the municipalities.
Focus proactive business attraction activities on companies within a 75-mile
radius of Harnett County that meet the county’s targets.
Take advantage of state and regional synergies and current locational and resource strengths to
initially concentrate on the following industries for attraction efforts:
u Military Support & Defense Technologies
u Medical Equipment and Supplies
u Automotive parts Manufacturing
u Food and Beverage Processing & Agriculture
u Business Services
u Logistics
u Larger scale retail
Expand Economic Development capacity and explore a public-private partnership for delivery
of services.
3
Economic
Development
Recommended
Actions
for
Year One
BUSINESS
ATTRACTION
AND
MARKETING
uHighest Priority - Develop a “to-market”
positioning “brand” emphasizing cost-
competitiveness, I-95, proximity to Wake County
and Fort Bragg, business-friendliness, the
opportunities of a growing Campbell University,
and the training resources of Central Carolina
Community College.
uHighest Priority - Update and strengthen the
economic development website based on best
practices.
uHigh Priority - 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.
uAggressively partner with the Research Triangle
Regional Partnership, the NC Department of
Commerce and Economic Development
Partnership of North Carolina to generate more
domestic clients.
uEstablish client expectations for Research
Triangle Regional Partnership support.
EXISTING
BUSINESS
uHighest Priority - Structured visitation
program in conjunction with municipalities and
chambers of commerce. (A partnership with
CCCC and their current visitation program would
provide a strong jumpstart and synergy for
discussions on workforce.)
uHigh Priority - Conduct the first of an annual
survey of businesses to determine issues of
concern.
uCreate a lunch conversation program for existing
major private employers with the County
Commissioners and County Manager.
uConduct a business bus tour of major employer
facilities for County Commissioners.
PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
uHighest Priority - Develop a realistic inventory
of “ready” buildings and sites based on a
“Certified” model.
uHighest Priority - Partner with County and
municipal utility providers to accurately establish
current utility availability to targeted sites.
uPromote the available site and building inventory
with EDPNC and regional partners.
OPERATIONS
uHighest Priority – Evaluate the creation of a
public-private partnership that would jointly fund
and administer the County’s economic
development effort.
uHigh Priority - Increase economic development
internal support and capacity by partnering with
the Harnett County Planning Department to
prepare expanded information on sites, utilities
and business connections.
uHigh Priority - Develop a strong private sector
and public partner economic development
advisory council to provide input and support.
uCreate a public executive summary of this plan to
share broadly with all economic development
stakeholders across the county. Create a speakers
bureau to provide citizens and stakeholder
groups with the county's economic development
direction.
uDevelop a “public” dashboard of recent economic
data. (The North Carolina Chamber of Commerce
Foundation has created an extensive dashboard
that can be found at www.ncdashboard.net)
uPartner with Campbell University for a “State of
the County” annual event to reset current reality
and provide a future forum for the review of
progress. (The Research Triangle Regional
partnership has been holding a similar event for
many years, as have neighbors such as Durham,
Orange and Johnson counties.)
uPartner with Campbell University to secure senior
interns to help with the initial action steps of this
plan.
4
Additional
Recommendations
for
Years
Two through Five
Metrics
of
Success
-‐
Five-‐Year
Goals
To ensure maximum transparency the EDC should report regularly to the Board of County
Commissioners on its progress toward the goals of this plan. To successfully implement the activities
of this plan and achieve the following metrics, the County Commissioners and many other groups will
need to believe in and invest in various components of this agenda.
u 10 percent growth in in-county jobs (22,861 in 2014)
u 10 percent growth in average in-county job wages
u 15 percent growth in the value of non-residential tax base
u 15 percent growth in retail sales
u 25 percent increase in new investment prospects visiting the County (from 2014 numbers)
u 50 annual county business visitations by economic development staff
u 20 percent increase in County businesses receiving some services from business support
organizations
u Improvement in business survey responses to "available skilled labor" from survey in year one to
survey in year five
u 50 percent growth in economic development revenue with half of the additional revenue coming
from private investments
BUSINESS
ATTRACTION
AND
MARKETING
uHighest Priority - 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.
uHighest Priority - Design a call program on major real
estate firms in Wake, Durham and Cumberland counties
to share product inventory.
uDevelop additional marketing content based on
positioning “brand”. Most of the content will be in the
form of electronic information with specific enhanced
content for the targeted audiences. Specific information
on certified building and sites, available workforce, and
incentives should be emphasized.
EXISTING
BUSINESS
uHigh Priority - Partner with other organizations
to create an on-line business support and
assistance guide including employee-training
options.
uDevelop an economic development annual
program to engage and recognize existing
business contributions to job growth or product
improvement in the County.
uPosition Harnett Economic Development
Commission as supportive, but not leading, in
workforce development issues and
entrepreneurial support, further positioning the
office as the focal point for economic
development issues and economic data.
PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
uHighest Priority - 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.
uSupport and encourage entrepreneurial training, career
and technical education programs developed in
partnership with the public schools.
uConduct a review of the planning approval process to
insure that Harnett County has a competitive advantage
on time and certainty.
OPERATIONAL
uDevelop an annual strategic work plan for
stakeholders.
2015
Economic
Development
Plan
2
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
Contents
OVERVIEW........................................................................................................................3
SWOT………........................................................................................................................6
GLOBAL
TRENDS...............................................................................................................7
STATE
&
REGIONAL
TRENDS............................................................................................10
LOCATIONAL
DECISION
FACTORS....................................................................................11
TRENDS
&
BEST
PRACTICES.............................................................................................13
RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................................................................15
METRICS
OF
SUCCESS......................................................................................................21
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
3
22
,
7
1
4
22
,
2
1
0
21
,
9
5
7
21
,
9
5
5
22
,
6
9
8
22
,
9
9
6
23
,
6
0
7
24
,
3
4
1
23
,
8
5
9
22
,
3
3
1
21
,
7
5
2
21
,
5
1
8
21
,
9
2
5
22
,
4
3
4
22
,
8
6
1
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
Harnett County Jobs
Overview
Harnett
County’s
Current
Economic
Reality
Harnett County's economy is more fully
explored in the companion, State of the
County, document. Harnett County has
experienced exceptional growth over the past
two decades. Harnett's location, high quality
school system and relatively low cost of living
continue to draw thousands of residents to its
boundaries. Despite strong residential growth
basic economic indicators reveal an economy
with significant challenges.
A significant majority of residents, 64 percent,
commute outside Harnett County for work
each day. The County's jobs to household ratio
is the lowest among neighboring counties,
positioning Harnett County as a
"bedroom community" for Wake,
Cumberland and Lee counties.
No progress has been made to
balance workers and jobs in
recent years.
Average Commute Time
(Minutes)
There has been little job growth.
The number of jobs based in
Harnett County has stagnated
since 2000, with only 147 more
jobs in 2014 than in 2000, despite
population growth of over 33,000 during that time (see chart). In the same time period manufacturing jobs in
the county have dropped from 4,184 to 1,491. The quality of the jobs also needs to be improved. Wage and
income levels for Harnett residents are below neighboring counties.
2000 29.2
2010 27.9
2013 28.3
39.2% 36.8% 36.0%
60.8% 63.2% 64.0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
2000 2010 2013
Live in/
Work in
Harnett
Live in/
Work
Outside
Harnett
Source: US Census (2013, 2010, & 2000)
BLS QCEW annual average employment
4
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
Harnett
County
Retail
Sectors
Surplus/Leakage
Index,
2013
Harnett
County
has
significant
retail
sales
leakage
resulting
in
reduced
sales
tax
collections.
Major
areas
of
leakage
are
in
general
merchandise
stores,
electronics
and
appliances,
sporting
goods
and
clothing
stores.
Most
of
these
types
of
sales
originate
in
big
box
stores,
typically
located
in
major
retail
power
centers
that
are
currently
more
common
in
adjacent
counties.
(Some
progress
in
this
area
is
expected
as
new
developments
open
in
the
southeastern
portion
of
the
county.)
Source:
El
estimates
based
on
EMSI
(2015),
BEA
(2014)
Leakage/Surplus
Index
is
the
actual
sales
of
a
retail
industry
divided
by
the
potential
sales.
The
potential
sales
are
calculated
from
state
per
capita
levels
and
are
adjusted
for
local
purchasing
power
(using
personal
income
per
capita).
A
leakage/surplus
index
of
greater
than
one
show
that
sales
are
greater
than
local
demand
and
it's
possible
that
consumers
are
coming
from
outside
the
area
and/or
local
consumers
are
spending
at
these
establishments
at
a
higher
rate.
Conversely,
indexes
lower
than
one
can
indicate
that
consumers
are
shopping
outside
of
the
local
area.
-4.6%
-7.4%
1.0%
6.4%
-0.5%
2.0%
-4.2%
-13.6%
2.5%
12.4%
15.5%
1.8%
-20.0% -15.0% -10.0% -5.0% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0%
Harnett
Lee
Johnston
Chatham
Cumberland
North Carolina
5-‐Year
and
10-‐Year
Real
Personal
Income
Per
Capita
Growth
Rates,
2004-‐2013
10-year growth
rate
5-year growth
rate
0.61
0.47
0.20
0.58
1.84
1.29
1.07
0.34
0.41
0.53
0.87
0.82
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
1.80
2.00
Motor
Vehicle
and
Parts
Dealers
Furniture
and
Home
Furnishings
Stores
Electronics
and
Appliance
Stores
Building
Material
and
Garden
Equipment
and
Supplies
Dealers
Food
and
Beverage
Stores
Health
and
Personal
Care
Stores
Gasoline
StaOons
Clothing
and
Clothing
Accessories
Stores
SporOng
Goods,
Hobby,
Musical
Instrument,
and
Book
Stores
General
Merchandise
Stores
Miscellaneous
Store
Retailers
Nonstore
Retailers
BEA (2014) and BLS (2015)
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
5
At
the
3
digit
NAICS
level,
only
3
retail
sectors
show
a
surplus
while
the
remaining
sectors
show
leakage.
At
the
6-‐
digit
level,
more
sectors
show
a
surplus.
0.55
0.93
0.00
0.35
0.76
0.89
0.30
0.48
1.09
0.11
0.03
0.27
0.20
0.42
0.26
1.81
0.48
0.20
0.79
1.95
3.22
1.03
0.49
0.49
1.02
0.85
0.48
0.55
0.96
0.24
2.04
0.10
4.92
1.10
0.81
0.26
0.32
0.24
0.29
0.73
0.43
0.10
0.47
0.00
0.59
0.13
0.33
0.19
0.16
2.08
0.11
0.09
0.75
0.86
2.74
0.41
0.55
0.46
0.24
0.30
2.35
1.27
0.95
0.79
0.05
0.11
0.16
0.72
1.46
-‐0.50
0.50
1.50
2.50
3.50
4.50
5.50
New
Car
Dealers
Used
Car
Dealers
RecreaOonal
Vehicle
Dealers
Boat
Dealers
Motorcycle,
ATV,
and
All
Other
Motor
Vehicle
Dealers
AutomoOve
Parts
and
Accessories
Stores
Tire
Dealers
Furniture
Stores
Floor
Covering
Stores
Window
Treatment
Stores
All
Other
Home
Furnishings
Stores
Household
Appliance
Stores
Electronics
Stores
Home
Centers
Paint
and
Wallpaper
Stores
Hardware
Stores
Other
Building
Material
Dealers
Outdoor
Power
Equipment
Stores
Nursery,
Garden
Center,
and
Farm
Supply
Stores
Supermarkets
and
Other
Grocery
(except
Convenience)
Stores
Convenience
Stores
Meat
Markets
Fish
and
Seafood
Markets
Fruit
and
Vegetable
Markets
Baked
Goods
Stores
ConfecOonery
and
Nut
Stores
All
Other
Specialty
Food
Stores
Beer,
Wine,
and
Liquor
Stores
Pharmacies
and
Drug
Stores
CosmeOcs,
Beauty
Supplies,
and
Perfume
Stores
OpOcal
Goods
Stores
Food
(Health)
Supplement
Stores
All
Other
Health
and
Personal
Care
Stores
Gasoline
StaOons
with
Convenience
Stores
Other
Gasoline
StaOons
Men's
Clothing
Stores
Women's
Clothing
Stores
Children's
and
Infants'
Clothing
Stores
Family
Clothing
Stores
Clothing
Accessories
Stores
Other
Clothing
Stores
Shoe
Stores
Jewelry
Stores
Luggage
and
Leather
Goods
Stores
SporOng
Goods
Stores
Hobby,
Toy,
and
Game
Stores
Sewing,
Needlework,
and
Piece
Goods
Stores
Musical
Instrument
and
Supplies
Stores
Book
Stores
News
Dealers
and
Newsstands
Department
Stores
(except
Discount
Department
Stores)
Discount
Department
Stores
Warehouse
Clubs
and
Supercenters
All
Other
General
Merchandise
Stores
Florists
Office
Supplies
and
StaOonery
Stores
Gic,
Novelty,
and
Souvenir
Stores
Used
Merchandise
Stores
Pet
and
Pet
Supplies
Stores
Art
Dealers
Manufactured
(Mobile)
Home
Dealers
Tobacco
Stores
All
Other
Miscellaneous
Store
Retailers
(except
Tobacco
Electronic
Shopping
Electronic
AucOons
Mail-‐Order
Houses
Vending
Machine
Operators
Fuel
Dealers
Other
Direct
Selling
Establishments
EL estimates based on EMSI (2015) and BEA (2014)
6
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
Based on local input and research Harnett County's current competitive position can be summarized in the
following chart.
STRENGTHS,
WEAKNESSES,
OPPORTUNITIES
AND
THREATS
STRENGTHS
uStrong population growth
uHigh rate of young working
population growth
uLocation near highly competitive
Raleigh-Cary & Durham-Chapel Hill
metros
uLocation adjacent to Fort Bragg
uI-95 access
uCampbell University growth
uStrong Community College training
capacity
WEAKNESSES
uSignificant out-commuting of workers
uLimited recent job growth
uSignificant retail leakage
uLower wages and personal incomes
than surrounding counties
uLow “higher education” attainment
uLimited availability of competitive
shovel ready sites and in-demand
buildings
OPPORTUNITIES
uGrowing industrial sectors
uLeakage in retail creates
opportunities for local retail growth
uIndustrial-logistics along I-95
uHigher education-health synergies
THREATS
uUrbanization impacts on ability to
attract younger talent
uBedroom community status with
limited industry growth in county
uMaintaining wealth growth while
population increases
uFort Bragg personnel contraction
uLack of economic development
capacity to respond to
opportunities
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
7
Global
Trends
Impacting
Harnett
County’s
Economic
Future
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, housing and entertainment options and deep talent pools. 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 (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.
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.
Experts do not expect that more workers will be needed to produce the goods needed by Americans in the
future. Re-shoring some jobs is great news and emphasizing exports is a good strategy to stabilize the
manufacturing industry and increase manufacturing output, but economists do not expect any significant job
growth in the sector. According to Daniel Levine of Oxford Economics, over the next 10 years, manufacturing
output is expected to be an engine of growth for the U.S. economy; however, employment projections predict
the loss of over 500,000 more manufacturing jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that, over the same
period, 15 of the 20 most rapidly declining industries in the nation will be in manufacturing. Newer advanced
industries are clustering around urban hubs.
8
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
New studies focus on the potential computerization of up to 47% of current jobs over the next 20 years (Frey
and Osbourne, 2013). As machine learning, artificial vision, and artificial intelligence become more affordable
and widespread the impact on current jobs will be profound. In North Carolina new advances in
computerization could eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs in food service, retail sales, customer service,
and administrative support.
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. Central Carolina Community College can be the vehicle for creating a competitive advantage in
Harnett County.
Finding workers with the right skills is one of businesses' top priorities. The talent bar—what is
needed to be successful at any job—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 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
some jobs. Strong partnership with the Central Carolina Community College and Campbell University are
imperative.
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.
This balance of supply and demand has resulted in the decline of real wages for those less educated, and
significant gains for employees with college degrees or specialized skills. Technological unemployment will
impact many jobs across the wage spectrum, but the greatest impact is projected for lower skill jobs.
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
9
Economic and political realities suggest more limited federal and state assistance to counties in the
near future. Most research predicts significant challenges to maintain and expand water and sewer
infrastructure and limited new transportation expansion. With public sector austerity comes a greater need for
communities to be self-reliant and to build effective public-private partnerships at the local level.
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.
The most important trend is the accelerating pace of change. Communities need to closely monitor economic
shifts, and be able to quickly react to opportunities and threats. A competitive advantage can be created in
communities that institutionalize these processes in their annual planning and budgeting.
-20%
-12% -13%
3%
7%
16%
13%
21%
-25%
-20%
-15%
-10%
-5%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Men Not Grad
HS
Women Not
Grad HS
Men HS Grad Women HS
Grad
Men BA Women BA Men Advanced
Degree
Women
Advanced
Degree
Percentage Change in Median Earnings for Men and Women From
1990 to 2013 By Educational Attainment
The Hamilton Project, April 2015
10
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
State
&
Regional
Trends
Impacting
Harnett
County’s
Economic
Future
The Research Triangle Region and its cities remain highly competitive nationally. Top 10 rankings are common
for job and population growth and on many competitiveness factors. In a recent national study, both the
Raleigh-Cary and Durham-Chapel Hill metros are ranked high for current and future economic performance and
scored in the top 20 nationally for workforce quality.
The strength of the region combined with the strength of the Charlotte region has resulted in strong recent job
growth in North Carolina, but the growth has been very uneven, as the map above shows. While the state is
generating strong net gains, less than one quarter of North Carolina's counties have recovered back to their
2008 average employment levels. Strong economic performance in Wake, Johnston and Moore counties
provide formidable competition for new job attraction. Despite very strong regional job growth, Harnett County
jobs are virtually unchanged since 2000.
5.2% 4.9%
13.5%
0.7%
0%
5%
10%
15%
Job Growth 2000-2014
USA
NC
RTRP
Harnett
BLS QCEW October 2015
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
11
Locational
Decision
Factors
The most important factor for successful local economic development is not marketing. It is building a
community product that is attractive to potential investors. The factors that influence site location have been
evolving in recent years. Some of these changes could benefit Harnett County while others are creating
challenges. Different types of companies rank different factors as important.
Below are the top 12 locational factors that were rated as “most important” by business executives in a recent,
widely cited study, from Area Development magazine, “29th Corporate Survey” in 2014.
Factors Identified as Most Important (in order) for New Investment:
1. Highway accessibility
2. Occupancy or construction costs
3. Available land
4. Availability of buildings
5. Availability of skilled labor
6. Labor costs
7. Right-to-work state
8. Proximity to major markets
9. Energy availability and costs
10. Corporate tax rate
11. Tax exemptions
12. State & local incentives
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. Having land and buildings available are
also very important. Most studies show that the availability of “shovel ready” sites and appropriate buildings is a
prerequisite for successful investment attraction. Site Selection magazine lists the following attributes of
“shovel-ready” sites.
u “A property is controlled through ownership or option and is readily available for ownership transfer to the
prospect,
u Utilities, principally electricity, water, sewer, gas, and telecommunications, are present or can be quickly
delivered to the site in suitable quantities for targeted project sizes; larger sites require utilities to have
larger capacities and redundancy,
u Environmental, geotechnical, and archeological studies have identified any areas of risk,
u The site's shape is conducive to development and expansions, and a developable footprint is confirmed,
u The site's buffer is adequate for the type of businesses likely to consider the site, and
u Transportation access exists for employees, raw materials/supplies, and product shipments.”
Building a Community Brand
Greenville, North Carolina has worked hard in recent years to build
and align a community branding effort. Initial survey responses
reaffirmed the community's current brand as a university and
health care center and as a regional retail hub. Less known were
the assets of the urban core, the strength of the manufacturing,
specifically the life sciences sector and the emerging concentration
of entrepreneurial firms.
Several lessons can be taken from their efforts including the need
to align stakeholder groups around core messaging provide
synergies for limited branding funds, the need to build on existing
commonly held community brands so that it resonates and is
viewed as authentic, and the need for precise message targeting to
specific audiences.
12
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
Additionally, sites and buildings need to have clear pricing, and in today's competitive marketplace, free land
and buildings are often included in incentive packages for sizeable projects.
A different study, A Deloitte Survey of 400 Manufacturing CEOs identified the manufacturing specific top 10
drivers for locating manufacturing facilities:
1. Talent-driven innovation
2. Cost of labor and materials
3. Energy costs and policies
4. Economic, trade, financial & tax system
5. Quality of physical infrastructure
6. Government investment in manufacturing & innovation
7. Legal and regulatory system
8. Supplier network
9. Local business dynamics
10. Quality & availability of healthcare
Quality of life factors can also be very important in the final selection of a location. Crime rate data and local
school test scores are easily attained data filters that are often used to eliminate communities from
consideration. As Harnett County continues to assess its economic development product, improvements for
physical assets, cost of doing business and quality of life should also be prioritized. The top quality of life factors
for companies considering new investment are listed below.
1. Low crime rate
2. Ratings of public schools
3. Health care facilities
4. Housing availability
5. Housing costs
6. Colleges & universities in the area
7. Recreational opportunities
8. Cultural 0pportunities
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
13
Trends
&
Best
Practices
In
Economic
Development
As Harnett County considers how best to deliver economic develop services it can look to national best
practices in structure and function. Economic Development is typically a multi-level process that often involves
many players including the State, region, County, City, consultants and various representatives of the potential
investor.
At the state level, the National Governors Association's report, Top Trends in Economic Development recently
stated, “Six important trends have emerged as governors have updated economic development strategies:
1. States are focusing on the relationship between the state and its regions in fostering
economic development;
2. States are emphasizing job creation from within the state;
3. States are strengthening their support for advanced manufacturing;
4. States are creating partnerships to meet industry’s demands for talent;
5. States are raising expectations for universities to bridge the gap between research and
commercialization; and
6. States are stepping up business export initiatives.”
The National Best Practices Scan for Economic Development recently published by the State Chamber of
Oklahoma’s Research Foundation identified best practice trends for economic development delivery across the
country. Some of the findings are:
Programs & Initiatives
uConcentration on
regional economic
development
uUtilization of key
clusters, sector
strategies, and
ecosystems
uEmphasize and engage
entrepreneurship and
innovation
Organizational Structure
uLeveraging the experience
and knowledge of the
private sector
uDevelopment of
accountability for economic
development agencies
through comprehensive
performance measures
uFormation of state agencies
as public-private
partnerships or as semi-
state agencies
Engagement
uStrategic partnerships with
external entities, including
businesses, private or
nonprofit organizations, and
higher education institutions
uSupporting state-level
economic development
strategies by engaging
regional partners and
initiatives
uIntelligence and
communication networks
within the framework of
targeted ecosystems
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ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
Based on local input, marketing to generate clients and jobs remains one of the top priorities for Harnett County
leaders. In Development Counselor's International’s (DCI), latest Winning Strategies in Economic Development
Marketing report, a strong internet presence through an informative, professional, and up-to-date website and
planned visits to corporate executives were deemed the two most effective marketing techniques.
As site selectors contact economic developers later in their searches, the internet continues to rise in
importance. As the chart below shows, hosting special events and media relationships have seen their
effectiveness ranking reduced in recent years. Advertising, direct mail and telemarketing remain rated as the
least effective.
Most Effective Marketing Techniques
(% Rating 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale – Response over Time)
Technique 2014 2011 2008 2005 2002 1999 1996
Planned Visits to Corporate Executives 64% 57% 54% 55% 53% 46% 53%
Internet/Websites 67% 55% 56% 53% 34% 37% 18%
Hosting Special Events 46% 35% 45% 49% 37% 42% 39%
Trade Shows* 38% 35% 33% 32% 45% 39%
Media Relations/Publicity** 48% 33% 52% 50% 40% 38% 39%
Advertising 17% 6% 15% 20% 21% 19% 19%
Direct Mail 14% 15% 19% 23% 33% 25% 25%
Telemarketing 6% 4% 4% 6% 4% 6% 7%
*Trade Shows” was inadvertently not included in the 2008 survey - **In previous surveys, this category was called “Public Relations/Publicity”
DCI's study also found that site selectors believe the most important features of economic development
websites were incentive information (67%), and workforce statistics (48%). Video content, testimonials, press
releases and maps were viewed as not particularly useful.
These conclusions were reinforced by another recent study. Effective Ratings of Economic Development
Marketing:
1. Internet/Website – 79%
2. Out of Town Meetings with Business – 72%
3. Public Relations – 64%
4. Site Selection Consultant Tours – 64%
5. Special Events – 56%
The lowest rated were - Direct mail, brochures, print advertising, videos, TV/radio advertising and
telemarketing. (Source: Economic Development Marketing, Ubalde and Simundza)
10 Best Practices for Economic Development Websites, by Development Counselors International (August 2015)
1. Keep demographic data up-to-date 6. GIS for available sites
2. Highlight key industries 7. Share the latest news
3. Showcase leading employers 8. Consider the user experience
4. Provide comprehensive contact information 9. Keep design modern and fresh
5. Put incentives front and center 10. Don’t let your content get lost
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
15
Summary
of
Recommendations
Based on local input, best practices research, and the current availability of very limited resources, we
recommend that the Harnett County Economic Development Office focus equally on three priorities:
u Begin a limited, but targeted business attraction and marketing effort,
u Support existing industry to encourage retention and expansion of jobs, and
u Improve the overall economic product.
In addition we recommend several operational changes.
Guiding
Overall Recommendations
Concentrate future economic growth in the Campbell health-education corridor, along the I-95 corridor,
in pockets contiguous to high residential concentrations for retail and services, and in the municipalities.
Focus proactive business attraction activities on companies within a 75-mile radius of Harnett
County that meet the county’s targets. Almost all new clients considering investment in the state will initially
contact either the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina or the Research Triangle Regional
Partnership, therefore the most efficient targeting for Harnett County will be a subset of their cluster targets.
The North Carolina Jobs Plan 2014-2024
establish the State Targeted Clusters as:
uManufacturing
uKnowledge Creation
uMilitary
uAgriculture, Forestry & Food
uBio-Pharma
uBusiness Services
uHospitality, Tourism, and Entertainment
uIT/Software
uTransportation Logistics
uEnergy
Research Triangle Partnership's targeted
clusters identified in The Shape of Things to
Come 2009-2014:
uAdvanced Medical Care
uAgriculture Biotechnology
uAnalytical Instrumentation
uBiological Agents & Infectious Diseases
uCleantech
uDefense Technologies
uInformatics
uInteractive Gaming & E-Learning
uNanoscale Technologies
uPervasive Computing
uPharmaceuticals
16
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
“Advanced manufacturing is a family of activities that
(a) depend on the use and coordination of
information, automation, computation, software,
sensing, and networking, and/or (b) make use of
cutting edge materials and emerging capabilities
enabled by the physical and biological sciences, for
example nanotechnology, chemistry, and biology. It
involves both new ways to manufacture existing
products, and the manufacture of new products
emerging from new advanced technologies.”
- President’s Council of Advisors on Science and
Technology Report to the President on Ensuring
American Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing
(It is expected that the Research Triangle Regional Partnership will develop a new strategic plan within the next
5 months. The new plan might include different targeted clusters, and if so, Harnett County should consider
adjusting its strategy to reflect the changes.)
In addition to those targets, Harnett County enjoys a competitive advantage with abundant
water resources. A 2010 report, Direct and Indirect Water Withdrawals for U.S. Industrial Sectors, conducted
by civil engineers at Carnegie Mellon University established the following industry clusters as those most
benefitted by abundant water:
u Fruit & Vegetable Farming
u Power Generation
u Textiles and Garments
u Meat Production
u Beverage Industry
u Automotive Manufacturing
The County also needs to diversify its economy into more white-collar jobs to retain more young educated
workers to attract retail and retain more sales tax revenue.
Take advantage of state and regional synergies and current locational and resource strengths to initially
concentrate on the following industries for attraction efforts:
u Military Support & Defense Technologies
u Medical Equipment and Supplies
u Automotive Parts Manufacturing
u Food and Beverage Processing & Agriculture
u Business Services
u Logistics
u Larger Scale Retail
Harnett County's traditional strengths in manufacturing, if combined with increased training for county
residents and partnerships with emerging regional research can make the country attractive to advanced
manufacturing in the future. Over the years the United States' competitiveness in lower margin goods
manufacturing has waned. Communities that are competitive in manufacturing in the future will focus on
durable goods, which are produced using emerging technology and advanced production systems and will
serve international markets.
Harnett Targeted
Industries
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
17
The current operational capacity of the Harnett economic development effort is not sufficient to complete the
recommendations included in this plan. Additional skilled personnel and additional marketing funds are needed
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. Joint efforts by the public and private sectors within a community are more common today and are
viewed as more productive.
According to research from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) the advantages and
disadvantages to public private efforts are:
Advantages:
uA public-private EDO draws on a broader
range of expertise. Working together builds
upon and creates new skills and
understanding.
uA public-private EDO can mobilize both
public and private resources and is financially
flexible. Public-private EDOs can maximize
the use of available government funds.
uPublic-private EDOs are also able to accept
donations due to their tax exempt status,
thereby offering advantages to contributors
benefiting from tax deductions.
uA public-private EDO can eventually be
financially more self-supporting.
Disadvantages:
uA public-private EDO is not under the same
degree of public control as public agencies,
which can limit its accountability.
uLimited accountability may cause a public-
private EDO to forfeit a portion of their
influence if the public sector and the citizenry
are not satisfactorily represented.
Public-‐Private
Partnerships
The Chatham County Economic
Development Corporation is a good
example of a public-private partnership
that receives public funds and private
donations. Governance, in the form of a
board of directors, includes both public
appointees and others from the private
sector. The annual operating budget is
$500,000-$600,000 annually; but even
so marketing funds are usually less than
$100,000. The organization's strategic
plan prioritizes improving the physical
product, increasing support to existing
businesses, creating new recruitment
clients, and leading a workforce
development transition.
18
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
Economic
Development
Recommended
Actions
for
Year One
BUSINESS
ATTRACTION
AND
MARKETING
uHighest Priority - Develop a “to-market”
positioning “brand” emphasizing cost -
competitiveness, I-95, proximity to Wake
County and Fort Bragg, business-friendliness,
the opportunities of a growing Campbell
University, and the training resources of
Central Carolina Community College.
uHighest Priority - Update and strengthen the
economic development website based on
best practices.
uHigh Priority - 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.
uAggressively partner with the Research
Triangle Regional Partnership, the NC
Department of Commerce and Economic
Development Partnership of North Carolina to
generate more domestic clients.
uEstablish client expectations for Research
Triangle Regional Partnership support.
EXISTING
BUSINESS
uHighest Priority - Structured visitation
program in conjunction with municipalities
and chambers of commerce. (A partnership
with CCCC and their current visitation
program would provide a strong jumpstart
and synergy for discussions on workforce.)
uHigh Priority - Conduct the first of an annual
survey of businesses to determine issues of
concern.
uCreate a lunch conversation program for
existing major private employers with the
County Commissioners and County Manager.
uConduct a business bus tour of major
employer facilities for County Commissioners.
Career
and
Technical
Education
New models that expose high school students to more
work-ready skills are emerging across the country. The
Association for Career and Technical Education maintains a
clearinghouse of best practices at www.acteonline.org .
These programs often offer both career specific skills
education but they are often paired with a private sector
work experience. In neighboring Lee County, Caterpillar
Youth Apprenticeship program provides a good example.
“The Caterpillar Youth Apprenticeship in Welding program
is one of the great success stories of educating America’s
young people in the skills of 21st-century high tech
manufacturing, The partnership of the college, Caterpillar,
Lee County Schools, and the North Carolina Department of
Labor exemplifies that collaborative apprenticeship
programs will become a major resource for the highly
skilled workforce industry and our nation must have to
maintain their roles as leaders of the global economy.”
- Dr. Bud Marchant
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
19
PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
uHighest Priority - Develop a realistic inventory
of “ready” buildings and sites based on a
“Certified” model. (Requirements of a
Certified Site are provided earlier in this
document)
uHighest Priority - Partner with County and
municipal utility providers to accurately
establish current utility availability to targeted
sites.
uPromote the available site and building
inventory with EDPNC and regional partners.
OPERATIONS
uHighest Priority – Evaluate the creation of a
public-private partnership that would jointly
fund and administer the County’s economic
development effort.
uHigh Priority - Increase economic
development internal support and capacity
by partnering with the Harnett County
Planning Department to prepare expanded
information on sites, utilities and business
connections.
uHigh Priority - Develop a strong private sector
and public partner economic development
advisory council to provide input and
support.
uCreate a public executive summary of this
plan to share broadly with all economic
development stakeholders across the county.
Create a speakers bureau to provide citizens
and stakeholder groups with the county's
economic development direction.
uDevelop a “public” dashboard of recent
economic data. (The North Carolina Chamber
of Commerce Foundation has created an
extensive dashboard that can be found at
www.ncdashboard.net)
uPartner with Campbell University for a “State
of the County” annual event to reset current
reality and provide a future forum for the
review of progress. (The Research Triangle
Regional partnership has been holding a
similar event for many years, as have
neighbors such as Durham, Orange and
Johnson counties.)
uPartner with Campbell University to secure
senior interns to help with the initial action
steps of this plan.
The North Carolina Certified Site Program states:
“To obtain the Certified Sites designation,
communities must undergo a stringent review
process that demonstrates that they’ve
addressed 31 prerequisites, including:
uBusiness/industrial use designation
uPhase I environment audits
uGeo-technical studies
uTopographical analysis and maps
uAerial photography
uAvailability of public utilities
uIndustrial power quality
uEngineered site development plans
uDetailed analysis of development cost
uComplete information on pricing”
In recent years nearby counties such as
Randolph, Wilson and Chatham Counties have
developed aggressive mega-site programs to
attract new investment. Significant public funds
have been allocated to position the sites for
investment.
20
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
Additional
Recommendations
for
Years
Two through Five
BUSINESS
ATTRACTION
AND
MARKETING
uHighest Priority - 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.
uHighest Priority - Design a call program on
major real estate firms in Wake, Durham and
Cumberland counties to share product
inventory.
uDevelop additional marketing content based
on positioning “brand”. Most of the content
will be in the form of electronic information
with specific enhanced content for the
targeted audiences. Specific information on
certified building and sites, available
workforce, and incentives should be
emphasized.
EXISTING
BUSINESS
uHigh Priority - Partner with other
organizations to create an on-line business
support and assistance guide including
employee-training options.
uDevelop an economic development annual
program to engage and recognize existing
business contributions to job growth or
product improvement in the County.
uPosition Harnett Economic Development
Commission as supportive, but not leading, in
workforce development issues and
entrepreneurial support, further positioning
the office as the focal point for economic
development issues and economic data.
PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
uHighest Priority - 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.
uSupport and encourage entrepreneurial
training, career and technical education
programs developed in partnership with the
public schools.
uConduct a review of the planning approval
process to insure that Harnett County has a
competitive advantage on time and certainty.
OPERATIONAL
uDevelop an annual strategic work plan for
stakeholders.
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
21
Metrics
of
Success
Five-‐Year
Goals
To ensure maximum transparency the EDC should report regularly to the Board of County Commissioners on its
progress toward the goals of this plan. To successfully implement the activities of this plan and achieve the
following metrics, the County Commissioners and many other groups will need to believe in and invest in
various components of this agenda.
u 10 percent growth in in-county jobs (22,861 in 2014)
u 10 percent growth in average in-county job wages
u 15 percent growth in the value of non-residential tax base
u 15 percent growth in retail sales
u 25 percent increase in new investment prospects visiting the County (from 2014 numbers)
u 50 annual county business visitations by economic development staff
u 20 percent increase in County businesses receiving some services from business support organizations
u Improvement in business survey responses to "available skilled labor" from survey in year one to survey in
year five
u 50 percent growth in economic development revenue with half of the additional revenue coming from
private investments