The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to adopt the Northeast Cumberland land use plan, a policy document covering roughly 33,000 acres of the county’s northeastern corner and about 2,900 residents.

Planning staff said the plan reflects significant community input and coordination with the towns of Godwin, Falcon and Wade, each of which has already adopted the plan for its corporate limits. Ross Howard, the county’s director of planning and inspection, said the plan preserves a largely rural character across much of the area while identifying pockets for lower‑density suburban growth and limited commercial uses.

Commissioner discussion focused on protections for sensitive areas. Commissioner Adams asked staff to change a passage about Rhodes Pond that would have used the word “prohibit” and instead use wording that would “limit” development, arguing that “prohibit” could prevent property owners from future, limited uses. Planning staff confirmed the Rhodes Pond section had been revised to require that proposed water and sewer extensions “be evaluated to balance compatibility with the area's natural and environmental sensitivity and desired growth for the area.” The board adopted the plan with the suggested wording change.

Why it matters: the plan establishes county policy guidance for future rezoning and development decisions in a large portion of unincorporated northeast Cumberland County. Staff said the document reflects feedback from postcards, kickoff meetings, value surveys and an online engagement site that generated substantial public participation.

Details from staff presentation
- Study area: about 33,000 acres in northeastern Cumberland County, bordering Harnett and Sampson counties, I‑295 and the Cape Fear River.
- Existing conditions: much of the unincorporated area remains zoned agricultural/rural; the proposed future land‑use map retains large rural/agricultural areas while identifying some suburban‑density residential and discrete commercial nodes.
- Public engagement: the kickoff meeting drew about 82 attendees; 52 value surveys were submitted and the process included multiple local meetings and a public draft review.

Commission action
Commissioner Faircloth moved to adopt the Northeast Cumberland land use plan with the requested language modification to the Rhodes Pond guidance; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff said the plan’s goals include protecting prime farmland, promoting conservation subdivisions in appropriate locations, and coordinating utility and transportation planning with future growth guidance.