Public Input Opportunity - Waxhaw's Growth Strategy  

As the region grows, Waxhaw is faced with increasing challenges to preserve the Town's unique charm, while serving the expanding needs of its residents and businesses. Over the past year, our community has expressed a clear desire for greater walkability and street connectivity to relieve traffic congestion, more local jobs and commerce, and a commitment to make downtown a destination that is safe, friendly and vibrant.

To meet these needs, the Waxhaw Planning Department has updated the tools that guide the Town’s growth, including:
  • The Future Land Use Map, featuring the Downtown Center, proposed Employment Centers and proposed Neighborhood Centers.
  • The proposed Waxhaw Zoning Map, showing the entire municipal area pre-zoned according to the new simplified zoning districts.
  • The Land Development Code, to replace the current Unified Development Ordinance.
We encourage our residents to take time to review the draft documents below. We value your feedback and have included a feedback form at the bottom of the page. Please submit any questions or comments using the form. You can also review the Collaborative Growth Strategy Booklet which provides an overview of our growth strategy. Thank you!

2016 Future Land Use Plan (Click to Enlarge)

2016 Future Land Use Map

Draft 2020 Future Land Use Plan Map (Click to Enlarge)

Proposed Future Land Use Plan Map

The 2016 Future Land Use Map identified existing neighborhoods and commercial centers and potential parkways; and proposed new areas for residential, business and mixed-use growth. This plan called for an update every three to five years to meet changing demands.

Expanding upon the previous plan, the new Future Land Use Map features the Downtown Center, proposed Employment Centers, and proposed Neighborhood Centers. This plan focuses on five major goals:
• economic development
• job creation
• building and diversifying the tax base
• diversifying housing stock
• coordinating joint planning areas with Union County

Existing Zoning Districts Map

Existing Zoning Districts Map

Proposed Zoning Map

Proposed Zoning Districts Map

Includes 17 zoning districts, along with Conditional Use and Conditional Zoning Districts.

All zoning is reduced to just 8 base zoning districts and a Conditional Zoning District.

Zoning regulates land use according to the Future Land Use Plan by permitting certain types of development to occur. This does not mean that the current land use of that property will necessarily change in the immediate future.

Notable changes to Waxhaw’s Zoning Map:

1. The town intends to pre-zone the entire jurisdiction to meet our updated Future Land Use Plan.

2. Due to the reduction of districts, many properties will see a change in their zoning district designation, but may not see a significant change in zoning requirements.

3. Properties once governed by Conditional Use and Conditional Zoning Districts will begin as general zoning districts. Conditional Use zoning will no longer be allowed by NC law. This change will result in a more streamlined development process. Conditional Zoning Districts will remain an option for petitioners in rezoning requests.

4. Approved and vested development projects under the current UDO can continue forward.

5. Properties within the designated Development Centers are likely to see increased market activity as this new growth strategy begins to take effect.

How the 17 Current Zoning Districts are replaced by the 8 Proposed Zoning Districts:

Current VS Proposed

Collaborative Growth Strategy Booklet

LDC Summary Booklet