Planners describe Caswell County comprehensive-plan update; steering committee urges targeted infrastructure and code changes

Caswell County planners and the steering committee outlined the scope and timeline for a comprehensive land‑use plan update aimed at guiding twenty years of growth while preserving the county’s rural character.

Planner Jason Wallington briefed the board on the work to date: steering‑committee meetings, a countywide public survey, three community meetings planned across the county and outreach at community events. He said the steering committee is preparing a vision and action plan and expects to present a final plan to the board in early 2027.

Committee recommendations emphasized a pragmatic, site‑ready approach to economic development: prioritize land with existing water and sewer to reduce infrastructure costs, market existing industrial-ready tracts more aggressively, and consider strengthening subdivision standards and select elements of the high‑impact development ordinance so the county can attract nonresidential tax base without undermining agricultural preservation.

The committee also urged enhanced code enforcement tools and a targeted approach to dilapidated housing — not to force residents from homes, but to address vacant, unsafe structures via an ordinance focused on abandonment and demolition authority. The steering group recommended Caswell consider hiring or contracting a grant writer to pursue tier‑1 grants and other external funding to support infrastructure and site readiness for economic development.

Commissioners asked staff to bring back more detailed maps and a prioritization of parcels, and the planner said the steering committee will refine goals and strategies during supplemental meeting work and the upcoming community meetings.