Development Regulations

In 2010, the City of Walterboro hired Benchmark planning to develop a complete revision of their zoning and land development regulations. Benchmark worked with City staff and the Planning Commission to update the ordinances, while also incorporating public input and feedback throughout the process. 

After completing the City of Archdale's Comprehensive Plan in 2019, Benchmark was hired to update its Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances in 2020. Benchmark assessed the City's existing ordinances and worked with staff and the Planning Board to make amendments. The improvements included ensuring design standards and zoning districts were up-to-date and align with the recommendations of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Subdivision Ordinance was also amended to improve review procedures and design standards. The ordinance revisions also met the Statutory requirements of N.C.G.S. 160D. 

After Benchmark Planning assisted Person County and the City of Roxboro with the adoption of the Person County - Roxboro Joint Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the County contracted with Benchmark to adopt new land use ordinances. The project updated the County's previous ordinances to better align with modern standards and to meet the current statutory requirements. In addition to ensuring the Ordinance aligned with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the project involved combining separated land use related ordinances into one Unified Development Ordinance and including more graphics and similar features. The Person County Unified Development Ordinance is currently in the adoption process.

In 2015, Onslow County hired Benchmark Planning to develop and prepare a Unified Development Ordinance. This was the first major overhaul of Onslow County's Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances since the implementation of County-wide zoning in 2004. The new Unified Development Ordinance provided clear processes and standards, clarifying a number of identified concerns in the previous Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. New design standards were also incorporated into the County's Unified Development Ordinance.

Van Wyck is a town in the northern portion of Lancaster County, South Carolina. Though it is within the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, the Town is situated in a primarily agricultural and residential area with large wooded properties and natural habitats. The small town was incorporated in 2017, and in 2022, the Town contracted with Benchmark Planning to develop a Growth Management Ordinance. After the adoption of the Ordinance, Benchmark Planning maintains a working relationship with the Town leadership.

Lumberton is located within the Coastal Plains region of southeastern North Carolina nestled along the banks of the Lumber River. The City is a regional hub of business activity positioned at the crossroads of Interstate 95 and Interstate 74 (US 74). Lumberton’s geographic location at the midpoint between New York and Florida has led to the development of the hospitality industry along Interstate 95. Hotels and restaurants serve travelers and provide employment opportunities within the region. The City hired Benchmark Planning to prepare its Downtown Master Plan, which has provided the vision for completing the performance stage and fountain on the square, the Lumber River overlook and trail, downtown building façade improvements, and several other enhancement projects within downtown.