AG 2002 12 16 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Goals and Recommendations General Goals: · Work with Cabarrus County Economic Development to establish a forum to market the Town and surrounding area and what is available (land, buildings). · Work with the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau to generate possible tourist attractions (i.e. farmer's market or youth sports tournaments). · Heavier industrial uses that may include outdoor storage in thc Industrial and Future Employment Districts should be well buffered fi.om the view of adjacent property owners. · Analyze areas reserved for employment for future infrastructure needs and include in capital improvement projects. Specific Goals: Reserve the intersection of Highway 49 and Highway 73 for a future employment center. Establish a tourism group or mercantile association to create a Town website and pamphlet to distribute at visitor and informational centers to promote the Town's proximity to the Speedway, the new Cabarrus County Convention and Exposition Center, Historic Gold Hill, and Reed Gold Mine. Employment Areas Recommendations: Highway 49 and Highway 73 Interchange: Given the planned interchange improvements and existing uses, it is recommended that this area be preserved for an industrial or business park. The most appropriate comers for industrial uses appear to be the north and southwest comers. This is based upon the existing land use, its proximity to the highway and the separation from the Town by Highway 49. · The Town should ensure that appropriate infrastructure investments are made in this area to ensure its viability as an employment area. · This area serves as the western gateway to Mount Pleasant and as such it is recommended that an overlay district be created to guide the development of these parcels while preserving and enhancing the highway's status as a scenic byway. It is also recommended that a gateway initiative be implemented to create an entrance to the Town fi.om this intersection to draw interest fi.om those motorists traveling through Town. · Land for both the future employment and the commercial district should only be rezoned upon application by the landowner or their agent. The applicant should be encouraged to submit a special use rezoning application to ensure all uses and that each project's design are compatible with the surrounding area. · Uses should be well designed and carefully screened to maintain an attractive streetscape allow both highways. (This section of Highway 49 is defined as a North Carolina Department of Transportation Scenic Byway.) Highway 49 should not become a strip of commercial and/or retail uses, but rather a well-designed corridor that does not counter the goals of the Town or the eastern area. · Clean light industrial uses, research facilities, professional office parks, or college/technical school campuses.