The Planning & Economic Development Department is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and implementation of the Town's adopted Comprehensive Plan. The Department also ensures compliance with the zoning and development regulations in the Mount Pleasant Development Ordinance and applicable portions of the Town's Code of Ordinances. The Department coordinates with the Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation, the Cabarrus Chamber, Explore Cabarrus, and Pleasant Life to promote and support new and existing industry, businesses, and tourism in Mount Pleasant and eastern Cabarrus County.
During 2024 and 2025, the Town has worked on updating its 2017 Comprehensive Plan to evaluate its direction and provide next steps in implementing the goals established during the public input process. Below is a link to the draft that will be presented at the Monday, May 16 drop-in public workshop (4:00pm-6:30pm) and Planning & Zoning Board meeting (6:30pm) at Town Hall.
comprehensive plan update public workshop
Please join the Town of Mount Pleasant at a drop-in public workshop to review and provide feedback on the draft Comprehensive Plan Update. The drop-in workshop will be held in the conference room of Town Hall on Monday, May 19 between 4:00pm and 6:30pm. This plan carries forward the same Vision Statement and Goals as the original plan. As required by state law, the plan must be reasonably maintained. Since it has been just over 7 years since the plan was originally adopted, this update is intended to maintain the plan, as required. The plan update provides more recent census data, land uses intensities that match existing and planned utility infrastructure, and next steps in goal implementation. Click on the link below to review the draft plan.
Draft Comprehensive Plan Update-2025
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REQUIREMENTS UNDER STATE LAW
North Carolina General Statute 160D-501 requires that a jurisdiction that exercises zoning regulation have an adopted Comprehensive Plan which may contain the following as deemed appropriate by the local government:
(1) Issues and opportunities facing the local government, including consideration of trends, values expressed by citizens, community vision, and guiding principles for growth and development.
(2) The pattern of desired growth and development and civic design, including the location, distribution, and characteristics of future land uses, urban form, utilities, and transportation networks.
(3) Employment opportunities, economic development, and community development.
(4) Acceptable levels of public services and infrastructure to support development, including water, waste disposal, utilities, emergency services, transportation, education, recreation, community facilities, and other public services, including plans and policies for provision of and financing for public infrastructure.
(5) Housing with a range of types and affordability to accommodate persons and households of all types and income levels.
(6) Recreation and open spaces.
(7) Mitigation of natural hazards such as flooding, winds, wildfires, and unstable lands.
(8) Protection of the environment and natural resources, including agricultural resources, mineral resources, and water and air quality.
(9) Protection of significant architectural, scenic, cultural, historical, or archaeological resources.
(10) Analysis and evaluation of implementation measures, including regulations, public investments, and educational programs.
This statute also requires that an adopted Comprehensive Plan be "reasonably maintained". Standard practice is to review and update a Comprehensive Plan every 5 to 10 years.
