Rowan County – Areas West of I-85 Land Use Study

Date:  2008

In a collaborative partnership between the County Planning Staff and Benchmark, the Land Use Steering Committee has developed draft recommendations for the future land use development within Western Rowan County.  Public meetings are scheduled for July to move the draft study forward to the Planning Board and County Commissioners for their consideration in the Fall.  Pictured to the left is a Regional Urban to Rural Population Density Change map from 1990 – 2000 derived from a methodology developed by Jason Epley in an award winning seven-county regional land use study.

Town of Troutman Land Use Plan (2008),

Northeastern Area Plan, Town of Troutman (2006)

Benchmark serves as the Planning Department for the Town of Troutman – providing day-to-day planning, zoning and code enforcement services.  In 2005, the Town commissioned Benchmark to develop a long range land use plan for an area outside of its corporate boundaries.  The area is experiencing development pressure due to the location of approximately 6,000 new homes.  The Town is now developing a land use plan with Benchmark assistance.

NEWLY Incorporated Town of Butner – Initial Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Land Development Ordinance

Date:  2008

Benchmark, CMR Inc. was selected to guide the newly incorporated (Inc. 2007) Town through its first Comprehensive Planning Process and Land Development Ordinance.  Currently, Benchmark has assisted the Town with the adoption of a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and has guided the Town through the initial process of defining new zoning districts.  This  is a unique project involving a former State operated “town” with county and state zoning boundaries – including influence from a national guard training facility(Camp Butner), a sensitive watershed area and growth from the Triangle region.

Colleton County Comprehensive Plan and Ordinance Rewrite

Date: 2008

Benchmark, CMR Inc. began the Colleton County Comprehensive Plan in December of 2007.  Currently, the draft development plan has been endorsed by the Planning Board and is scheduled to be reviewed by the public.  With the development concept in place, Benchmark has begun developing the new Development Ordinances for the County.   The Project is on schedule to be completed by the first of October 2008.

City of Raeford Land Use Plan and Unified Development Ordinance

Date:  2008

The City of Raeford is in the process of developing its first Land Use Plan followed by the development of a Unified Development Ordinance by Benchmark as well.  The City is planning for growth and utility expansion within its ETJ.  The plan embraces sustainable best practices and encourages mixed use nodes surrounded by residential and interconnected walking/biking trails.  The Downtown redevelopment is a key component of the plan as well.

Town of Angier – Downtown Urban Design – Photo Illustrations and Concepts

Unified Development Ordinance

Date:  2008

The Town of Angier is moving forward with making improvements to their downtown.  They recently contracted with Benchmark to develop photo illustrations and design concepts for North and South Broad Street.  One business owner has already made the suggested improvements, with several in the planning stages.  The Town is also working with Benchmark on the development of a Unified Development Ordinance to implement their recently adopted Land Use Plan and Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

Wilson County Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance

Date:  2008

Benchmark, CMR Inc. began the Wilson County Comprehensive Plan in of 2007.  The plan was adopted by the County Commissioners in July of 2008.  The adoption of the plan was reported in the Wilson Times. 

Benchmark will continue the process with the development of a Unified Development Ordinance specifically based off of the goals and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. 

Wadesboro Powell Bill Map
Date: 2005

Benchmark is responsible for developing Powell Bill inventory maps for several municipalities in North Carolina.

Grover Growth Strategies Report
Date: 2005

This community planning project assisted the Town of Grover in the development of growth strategies to ensure a logical pattern of future land use and development.

Goldsboro Consolidated Plan
Date: 2005

This mandated planning project identified strategies for the appropriation of federal and state housing funds for the City of Goldsboro.

South Iredell Area Plan
Date: 2004

The challenge of this community planning project was finding a way to deal with the influx of up to 10,000 new jobs in an already fast-growing area on Lake Norman (north of Charlotte, NC). This plan developed strategies largely based on a cooperative effort with other local jurisdictions.

City of Kannapolis 2015 Land Use Plan
Date: 2004

Benchmark, acting as the Community Planning Department for the City of Kannapolis, developed this plan to establish guidelines for the future development of the City. The plan is in part a result of a visioning process “Weaving a Shared Future” that took place in 1999.

NC Highway 150 Corridor Study

Date: 2000

This community planning project studied and made recommendations concerning current and future land use along NC 150, a fast-growing corridor in the North Carolina Piedmont.

Forest City Land Development Plan
Date: 2000

This community planning plan took a comprehensive look at the historic development of Forest City and assessed their future needs. The plan designated future growth areas, specific areas for revitalization, sidewalk extensions, etc.