Since the Leland 2045 Comprehensive Plan was adopted in November 2021, Town staff have been using it as a tool to guide goals and initiatives across all departments.
The purpose of Leland 2045 is to enable Leland officials and citizens to anticipate and constructively respond to growth and change, and to encourage the development of safe and healthy, built and natural environments that create opportunities for all. The planning document outlines goals, policies, and implementation strategies that were developed through a robust public engagement process.
Through collaboration with Planning staff, the community, and the Leland 2045 Focus Group, the following six themes were created to represent a vision to collaboratively advance the economy, society, culture, and the environment. The accompanying updates have been pursued in accordance with these themes from May to August 2022:
Highly Valued and Protected Natural and Cultural Resources
- 335 pounds of trash and recycling was collected during a volunteer Community Stream Cleanup.
- The Town received $20,000 in Resilient Coastal Communities Program funding for engineering/design for a drainage plan.
- The Town was awarded $258,429 from the N.C. Department of Agriculture's Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program to conduct vegetative debris removal in Leland streams.
- Staff formed an internal Sustainability and Resiliency Committee.
Livable, Diverse, and Connected Neighborhoods that Accommodate Growth
- Staff is partnering with the N.C. Forestry Service and N.C. Urban Forest Council to create a Tree Canopy Assessment.
A Resilient and Stable Economy
- Approximately 190 acres were annexed into the Town, roughly 59 of which were zoned commercial.
- The Interactive Gateway District Mapping Tool went live on the Town's website to guide redevelopment in the Gateway District.
An Inclusive, Supported, Healthy, Safe, and Educated Community
- Staff is partnering with Cape Fear River Watch to conduct research about how much litter enters our stormwater system.
- The redesigned Town of Leland website was launched to enhance user-friendliness and accessibility.
- Fire Station 53 opened and is operational.
- Fire Station 51 is under construction.
Infrastructure that Supports Community Life
- The Town received $950,000 in funding from the Transportation Infrastructure Resiliency Fund for the Leland Resilient Routes Project.
- The Town was awarded a dual-port electric vehicle charging station for Founders Park through the Volkswagen Public Access Program.
An Active Participant in a Cooperative Region
- The Town entered into a Fire Automatic Aid Agreement with Winnabow Volunteer Fire Department.
- Staff partnered with Cape Fear River Watch to place 20 "Do Not Dump-Drains to Creek" markers on stormwater drains.
- Staff Attended luncheon about planning in the region.
- The Town is participating in a regional Community Health Needs Assessment.
Quarterly updates to Leland 2045 seek to show how departments Town-wide are incorporating the plan’s current and long-range goals. These updates will be shared each quarter with Town Council and on the Town’s website and social media platforms.
Learn more about Leland 2045 and view the full plan.
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