AG 2002 12 16 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Unfortunately, the majority of population growth did not occur in areas with or planned to have public utility service. When examining the population growth by U.S. Census block groups, the Highway 73 and 49 corridors (block groups 3, 4, and 5) showed the lowest growth rates as illustrated by Map 2. According to the Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County's 50-year master plan, investments in both water and wastewater infrastructure is planned in these corridors. The portion of block group 6 within the town limits is currently served by utilities. It had the highest rate of growth of all the block groups in the planning area. The Oldenburg subdivision is located in this block group. The remaining block groups (1, 2, and 7) also had high growth rates. These block groups are not within planned utility service areas as defined by the 50-year utility master plan and each of the municipal utility systems. Instead, these areas will depend on private well and septic systems. What does the future hold for the Eastern Planning area? Table 2 presents population projections to 2015. These projections are based on the assumption that the rate of growth in Eastern Cabarrus County will continue at a steady rate. Additionally, the projections assume that adequate public facilities will continue to support this rate of growth. Higher or lower rates could occur under various scenarios. A higher rate of growth would be expected if water and or sewer utilities are provided in the study area. Presently, the WSACC 50 year master plan does not call for utility investment outside the MP area. A lower rate of growth would be expected with changes in land use policies or if local and state economic conditions do not continue to support growth in the housing stock Table 2 - Population Projections for Eastern Cabarrus County Year Population 2000 11,954 2005 13,173 2010 14,516 2015 15,997 Mount Pleasant Mount Pleasant encompasses approximately ten percent (10%) of the population in the area and has for the past decade. The Town has experienced a 22.6% growth in population from 1990 to 2000. In the same period Mount Pleasant experienced 16.5% growth in the housing stock, indicating what appears to be a shortage of housing. However, it may be concluded that with the increase of single family housing, more families moved in with children following, thus increasing the population but not the housing numbers. Table 3 illustrates past population and housing growth in Mount Pleasant. When comparing the growth rates of Mount Pleasant with the western side of Cabarms County, the rate may seem minor, in actuality the housing growth rate was fairly robust. The housing stock grew by 16.5% from 447 units in 1990 to 521 in 2000, based upon the 2000 Census. During this time Mount Pleasant also had a very low vacancy rate. The vacancy rates in 1990 were three percent for owner occupied units that were vacant and 6.3 % for vacant rental units. Several assumptions may be made by these numbers, one may be the fact that the Mount Pleasant housing market has become more diversified with the addition of several duplexes in the community. This form of affordable housing may have made it possible for renters to move into home ownership. Another conclusion may be that the decrease in industry in the Town may have resulted in the decrease of workers who may have been renters. In 1990, there were 2.3 persons per rental unit and 2.51 persons per an owner occupied unit. The 2000 Census indicates a slight