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Albemarle’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, titled Envision Albemarle 2045, wrapped up its public input phase on Jan. 30 with interactive exercises at two public meetings.
In the meetings, participants in groups of three to five were provided with large color-coded maps of Albemarle and its surrounding area, designating existing land uses and with a grid overlay in which each square represented 160 acres. Each group was supplied with a specific number of push pins, color coded to represent residential, business and open space uses.
Pins issued to each group were based on projected growth figures for Albemarle over the next 20 years, said Kevin Robinson, director of planning and development services for the city.
“An increase in residential growth of 8,000 housing units is projected by 2045, so each group received 110 yellow pins, each representing 75 units,” said Robinson.
Likewise, each group received 60 red pins, each representing 50,000 square feet of non-residential structures, and 50 green pins, each signifying 5 acres of preserved land, including parks, greenways and required open space within residential developments.
In the exercise, each group was required to utilize its entire supply of pins by placing them on the map in areas deemed most appropriate for future residential and/or industrial growth, while designating areas in which open space and green space preservation is needed.
Robinson provided each group a list of questions to consider when choosing the types of development in and around the city, including:
• Should redevelopment of existing properties to higher density or intensity uses be encouraged?
• How will expansion into new areas, and required infrastructure for such, impact the city?
• What areas should be designated for preserved open space such as parks, natural areas, and private common or green space?
• Where should new non-residential, commercial, civic and industrial development be located? (Mixed with new development? Separated? Near major roads?)
Groups then spent approximately 90 minutes placing pins on their respective maps, after which Planning and Development staff and consultants will compile results for future consideration.
The Jan. 30 exercises follow two months of information gathering through a community survey and community meetings zeroing in on more concentrated areas, said Robinson.
“In our previous meetings, we discussed existing conditions with residents, identified the strengths and weaknesses of each area, as well as any opportunities and threats,” he said. “We then concluded with exercises similar to the one today, but which focused on planned growth in smaller, neighborhood-based areas.”
A comprehensive guide for development in and around Albemarle through 2045 will be the final product of the process, said Robinson.
“We should have a draft by the end of the fiscal year,” he said. “At that time, it will go before the city council for final approval.”

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.