TITLE
Title
LEGISLATIVE HEARING AND ADOPTION CONSIDERATION FOR THE GUIDING GUILFORD MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
J. Leslie Bell
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BACKGROUND
Background
Pursuant to Chapter 160D-501 of the NCGS, local governments are required to adopt and maintain a comprehensive plan to have zoning regulations. The Guiding Guilford Moving Forward Together Comprehensive Plan (Guiding Guilford) addresses topics set forth by NCGS 160D-501(b), such as growth, conservation, economic development, future land use, and other related elements within the County. Guiding Guilford addresses changes and opportunities in Guilford County and shapes resilient development for the next 15-20 years.
Initiated in Spring 2023, Guiding Guilford was developed with extensive opportunities for public input and engagement from the citizens of Guilford County. That input was used to guide the development of the Plan (attached) and resulted in the following seven (7) planning themes (attached):
• Community Character
• Attainable Housing
• Resilient Economy
• Diversified Transportation and Mobility
• Service Accessibility
• Protected Natural Environment and Greenspace
• Quality and Context-Sensitive Infrastructure
Robust public engagement efforts included, but not limited to, more than 45,000 social media posts and impressions, more than 1400 survey responses, seven (7) citizen workshops and open house events, eight (8) stakeholder interviews/focus group meetings, 44 days of print advertisements, and pop-up station events. The draft Guiding Guilford Plan also was shared with municipal partners as part of the review and feedback process. A project website with a link for public input and public outreach assistance from the Guilford County Communications Department also assisted with community engagement.
The Guilford County Planning Board and Steering Committee (comprised of residents and subject matter experts from across the County), with the assistance of stakeholder focus groups, Planning staff, County Departments, and Design Workshop (consultant), provided feedback and guidance throughout Plan development, on the aspirations and vision for the county and input on key issues and opportunities as highlighted in the 7 planning themes. After the initial draft Plan was released, the project team extended the Plan sharing and review period from winter 2023/summer 2024 through the end of calendar year 2024. This extended review period resulted in the following Plan revisions:
• Updated the Future Land Use Map series to reflect the Town of Summerfield de-annexation because of HB909 (extended Plan completion by at least 6 months)
• Added summary of Phase 4 engagement (plan review) to the Process Chapter
• Clarified approach to rural character preservation in the land use framework and the economic planning theme
• Created and added a standalone Planning Themes Summary Document to the Plan's executive summary to highlight goals and near-term actions.
• Addressed and updated minor text, grammar, and formatting changes
On April 23, 2025, the Guilford County Planning Board held a special meeting to present the Plan and scheduled a public comment period on its agenda for any citizen to ask questions and provide feedback and/or concerns about any aspect of the Plan. This review period extended to June 2025.
On June 11, 2025 the Guilford County Planning Board recommended the Plan go to the Board of Commissioners, schedule a required legislative hearing, and consider final adoption with the following changes (included in the final draft):
1) Updated Future Land Use Map and Southeast Future Land Use Map land use designations for eight (8) parcels along and around SE School Road (SR3330) from Rural Living to Residential;
2) Changed some language in accordance with Federal Guidelines; and
3) Changed color on Future Land Use Maps where Natural Area/Preserve Place Type is depicted with a dark green to a lighter green (which is in progress).
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Conduct required legislative hearing and adoption consideration for the Guiding Guilford Moving Forward Together Comprehensive Plan.
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