Military Land-Use Plan Impact Raised

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North Carolina
THE PILOT
Military Land-Use Plan Impact Raised
By Florence Gilkeson
February 20, 2004

A proposed land-use plan for counties and towns adjacent to the Fort
Bragg/Pope Air Force Base would have little effect on Moore County
zoning regulations, according to Moore County Planning Director Richard
B. Smith.

That's because the countywide zoning ordinance already contains density
restrictions not significantly different from those proposed in the
plan.

"Our portion would probably feel the least effect of any county in the
plan, because of our density requirements," Smith said.

Smith reviewed the Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base Joint Land-Use Study
during a work session of the Moore County Board of Commissioners on Feb.
16.

The study has been presented to the commissioners on several occasions
in recent years, but the Moore County board has yet to take a vote to
approve or reject the study.

Smith said the decision to place the issue on the board agenda will be
up to the chairman.

To date, Southern Pines, Pinehurst and Vass have adopted the plan. Like
the county, the town of Aberdeen has taken no action.

Statistics presented to the Moore County commissioners show that to
date, 14 of the 21 government entities involved in the study have
adopted the plan, two (Hoke County and the town of Raeford) have
rejected it, and four have taken no action. Cumberland County has failed
to endorse the plan because of lease conservation rights.

In addition to Moore County and Aberdeen, Sampson County and the town of
Hamlet in Richmond County have taken no action. However, both Hamlet and
Sampson County are listed as inactive members of the Fort Bragg/Pope AFB
Regional Land Use Advisory Commission.

Others adopting the plan so far are Fayetteville, Hope Miles, Spring
Lake, Harnett County, Lillington, Richmond County, Scotland County,
Laurinburg, Wagram, Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.

Nonbinding Plan, For Now

Smith told the commissioners that adoption of the plan would not be
binding on the county. He explained that adoption would represent a
commitment but would not bind the county to fall in line with the
measures advanced in the plan.

However, if the North Carolina General Assembly adopts proposed
legislation stemming from the plan, it would be binding.

The proposed bill would require real estate disclosure statements for
land within one mile of the military bases and would prohibit water and
sewer extensions into areas designated as "critical" or "important"
preservation lands.

In the category of urban encroachment, minimum lot size would be one
unit per 10-acre lot size. Efforts would be made to establish a trust
fund to purchase development rights within urban encroachment areas, and
personal tax credits and deductions would be allowed. The trust fund
would be used to compensate local governments.

As far as Moore County is concerned, land within the one-mile study area
encompasses 2,141 parcels, including 1,343 in the county jurisdiction
and 798 in Aberdeen and Southern Pines. Population in that area is
3,590, or 4.8 percent.

The 23,753 acres include 20,395 in rural districts and 3,358 acres of
developed land. Of that acreage, 9,610 acres are in what is known as
low-density areas, or one unit per three acres. Another 4,098 acres are
in critical areas (one unit per 10 acres), 3,417 acres are in protected
areas, 3,358 in urban density development, and 3,269 in what the study
calls "important" areas, calling for one unit per 10 acres.

Smith said that much of Moore County that is covered by the plan lies
within what is known as horse country east of Southern Pines and
Aberdeen and, because of this strictly rural use, is already low enough
in density to fall within the proposed requirements.

"If this legislation passes, how would it affect Moore County?" board
Chairman Michael Holden asked. "I don't see a tremendous change."

Smith said, "It wouldn't have much effect," Smith said.

Military Moves Closer

However, Commissioner David Cummings pointed out that his part of the
county has suffered encroachment from the growth of the Fort Bragg
reservation, not the other way around. He lives off Lobelia Road in the
Mount Pleasant section of the county near Vass.

"I want to make it clear that in my lifetime the area around Mount
Pleasant has not encroached on Fort Bragg," he said. "They've (the
military) bought up property bringing them closer to Mount Pleasant."

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.thepilot.com/news/022004military.html

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