(A) As a condition of adopting and applying zoning regulations, the municipality shall adopt and reasonably maintain a comprehensive plan or land-use plan. The comprehensive plan, with the accompanying maps, plats, charts and descriptive matter, shall be and show the Planning and Zoning Appeals Board's recommendations to the City Council for the development of the territory, including, among other things, the general location, character and extent of streets, bridges, boulevards, parkways, playgrounds, squares, parks, aviation fields and other public ways, grounds and open spaces; the general location and extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned or operated, for water, light, sanitation, transportation, communication, power and other purposes; also, the removal, relocation, widening, narrowing, vacating, abandonment, change of use or extension of any of the foregoing ways, buildings, grounds, open spaces, property, utilities, or terminals.
(B) The plan and any ordinances or other measures to effectuate it shall be made with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the city and its environs which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety, morals, and the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development; including, among other things, adequate provision for traffic, the promotion of safety from fire and other dangers, adequate provision for light and air, the promotion of the healthful and convenient distribution of population, the promotion of good civic design and arrangement, wise and efficient expenditure of public funds, and the adequate provision of public utilities, services and other public requirements.
(C) Adoption and effect of plan. Plans shall be adopted by the governing board with the advice and consultation of the Planning and Zoning Appeals Board. Adoption and amendment of a comprehensive or land-use plan is a legislative decision and shall follow the process mandated for zoning text amendments set by §§ 21.007
and 92.140
. Plans adopted under this chapter may be undertaken and adopted as part of or in conjunction with plans required under other statutes. Plans adopted under this chapter shall be advisory in nature without independent regulatory effect. Plans adopted under this chapter do not expand, diminish or alter the scope of authority for development regulations adopted under this chapter. Plans adopted under this chapter shall be considered by the Planning and Zoning Appeals Board and governing board when considering proposed amendments to zoning regulations as required by G.S. 160D-604 and G.S. 160D-605. If a plan is deemed amended by G.S. 160D-605 by virtue of adoption of a zoning amendment that is inconsistent with the plan, that amendment shall be noted in the plan. However, if the plan is one that requires review and approval subject to G.S. 113A-110, the plan amendment shall not be effective until that review and approval is completed.
(Ord. 18-30, passed 9-4-18; Am. Ord. 21-26, passed 7-12-21)