§ 113A-156. State land classification system.
§ 113A‑156. Stateland classification system.
(a) Purpose. Within two years following July 1, 1974, theNorth Carolina Land Policy Council shall develop a State land classificationsystem, which shall include comprehensive guidelines and policies and a methodfor the classification of all lands in the State for the purposes of:
(1) Providing to State and local governmental agencies a systemfor achieving the stated purposes of this Article.
(2) Promoting the orderly growth and development of the State ina manner consistent with the wise use and conservation of the land resources.
(3) Assuring that the use and development of land in areas ofenvironmental concern within the State is not inconsistent with the State landpolicy.
(4) Assuring that the use of land for key facilities, newcommunities, and large‑scale developments, or in areas which are or maybe impacted by key facilities, new communities, and large‑scaledevelopments, is not inconsistent with the State land policy.
(b) Criteria for Classification. The Council shall develop andadopt as a part of the classification system no fewer than four nor more thaneight classifications which recognize all lands as a basic social and naturalresource and which provide for the full range of private and public purposes inthe use and conservation of the land resource. Emphasis shall be given to aharmonious relationship among the use potentials of the land, the physical andfiscal feasibility of providing necessary public services, and other facilitiesand social services. Areas of environmental concern, key facilities, projectsof regional impact, new communities, and large‑scale developments shallbe recognized and made a part of the land classification system in order tofurther the stated purposes of this Article.
(c) Basis for Land Classification. Full consideration shall begiven, but shall not be limited to, the following aspects and characteristicsof the lands of the State:
(1) Topographic features such as land elevations and gradients.
(2) Surface and underground waters, natural or artificial.
(3) Geological, chemical, mineral and physical characteristicsof the land.
(4) The existing or potential utility of lands and sites havingintrinsic historic, ecological, recreational, scenic or esthetic values orvirtues.
(5) The availability or potential availability of publicservices, including key facilities, health, education, and other communityfacilities and social services.
(6) Areas of environmental concern, existing or potential keyfacilities, projects of regional impact, new communities, and large‑scaledevelopment.
(d) Content. The State land classification system shallinclude, but specifically is not limited to, the following:
(1) Concise and explicit descriptions of each of theclassification categories.
(2) Guidelines and procedures for the preparation of officialland‑use plans by the land‑planning agencies of local government,including a procedure for review by an appropriate State agency for sufficiencyand consistency with the provisions of this Article, and a procedure forassembling local plans into regional plans.
(3) Rules and procedures for land reclassification together withan appellate procedure for property owners and other affected individuals,including officers of any level of government.
(e) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 148. (1973, c. 1306, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, s. 148.)