Consistent and compatible land use decisions are needed to support the goals of the SHC initiative. Striking a balance between competing land uses and transportation objectives is a necessary task to ensure that mobility is maintained along these key facilities. Controlling development, which involves adopting and implementing land use policies, is largely the responsibility of local government. With North Carolina investing millions of dollars in major transportation improvements every year, it is not surprising that the state has an interest in protecting its investments through land use policy as well. For example, the Department does not want to make major improvements along a Corridor, only to see the level of mobility, safety, and capacity decrease a few years later due to construction of multiple strip developments. However, the specific activities that can be undertaken at the state level to ensure such protection are few. Thus, methods will be explored for cohesively integrating land use and transportation goals along a Corridor.

One such product has already been prepared entitled, Land Use Policy Guidelines for Mobility Protection (884 KB). This document summarizes a broad range of land use policies that can inform the decision-makers in protecting the mobility of roadways, particularly a Strategic Highway Corridors, and identify the ways in which those policies can be translated into action at all levels of government. These policies will be shared with the local partners along the Corridors and will be frequently referred to as corridor studies are prepared. Additional mechanisms will be developed to assist NCDOT and local officials in making consistent and compatible land use decisions along the Corridors. One such tool is developing state and local agreements and partnerships upon completion of a corridor study, which would indicate intent to follow the study outcomes and recommendations. The Memorandum of Understanding adopted following completion of the NC 73 Transportation/Land Use Study, is one example of this mechanism. Additionally, indirect and cumulative impacts of proposed major improvements along a corridor may be examined.