ST. PAULS — Town commissioners on Thursday will hold a public hearing and possibly consider adopting the newly proposed land-use plan which will guide the town’s will growth during the next 15 years.
The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at the town hall during the commissioners regular monthly meeting.
The plan, which has taken about two years to complete, is the first such plan to be developed since 1974, according to Town Administrator J.R. Steigerwald. Steigerwald said that a land-use plan is supposed to be developed every five years so as to reflect growth and changes in the community.
Mark Zeigler, a community planner with the N.C. Department of Commerce, has assisted the town in preparing the plan. The plan outlines goals and policies dealing with everything from housing, public safety, health and emergency services, school and library facilities, and general government, to potable water and sewer facilities, parks and recreation, solid waste, and transportation.
St. Pauls has a population of more than 2,200 residents and is expected to add about 500 to 1,500 residents over the next 15 years, Steigerwald said. That means additional housing, roadway and transportation improvements, water and sewer upgrades, and more overall public services will be needed to accommodate both residential and business growth.
Steigerwald said Wednesday that he hopes town residents will attend the public hearing and offer comments.
“Five people out of 2,200 is not a representation of the whole town,” he said.