Nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains at the center of two of the largest metropolitan areas in the Carolinas, Cleveland County, North Carolina is a gateway to Charlotte and Asheville. Cleveland County is anchored by the charm of its small towns and community-centered values. The County is poised to take advantage of the many opportunities that are ahead.
In order to be prepared for the future, the Board of Commissioners engaged Benchmark Planning in 2020 to develop the Land Use Plan. The updated plan includes strategies that encourage growth around the major cities, while maintaining the agricultural and scenic landscapes of the rural areas throughout the County. The Plan was developed through extensive public engagement that included a community survey, public forums, and meetings held across the County. The Plan also includes land use plans for the five municipalities that have contracted with the County to manage their planning and zoning services. The Plan provides a long-range strategic direction to elected officials, appointed boards, and staff as they develop and implement projects, programs, and policies to move the County forward in a well-organized manner.
