PLAN2045
Officially launched in September 2024, the 2045 Charting The Course project is the Town of Oak Island's effort to update its existing CAMA Comprehensive Land Use Plan(PDF, 24MB) (often referred to as a “Comp Plan”). This update will examine progress made and new initiatives that should be considered for the future.
CAMA stands for Coastal Area Management Act, which mandates the conditions and analysis needed for the coastal areas cherished by residents, visitors, and commercial operators alike. CAMA seeks to provide a framework for land use that balances the needs of multiple stakeholders.
Through the 2045 Charting The Course project, the Comp Plan update will serve as a guide for elected and appointed officials and Town staff when making significant land use decisions and in directing policy and public investment.
Draft Review & Comment
The draft Charting the Course 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan has been published and is now ready for public review! View the draft plan(PDF, 18MB).
With the publishing of this document, this also begins a public comment period which will be open until Friday, July 25, 2025.
Plan Information
On September 19, 2024, during a Special Meeting of the Town Council, WithersRavenel gave an overview presentation on
Future Land Use Map: Share Your Input!
A Future Land Use Map is a guiding tool used in comprehensive planning to envision and direct the long-term growth and development of a community.
Unlike a zoning map, which establishes legally enforceable regulations for land use and development, a Future Land Use Map serves as a policy document. It provides a framework for decision-makers by outlining desired land use patterns, helping to align future development with community goals and values.
Learn more about the Future Land Use Map, and how you can share your input in its development, visit the instructions and map page (map is at bottom of the page).
Project Study Area
The development of this Plan will be driven by the community and will include the state-required CAMA elements, as well as consideration of local elements that celebrate community character and advance local initiatives.
Work in the project will be focused in a specific Study Area within the Town's Business District. To view this Study Area in greater detail, click on the map below.
View the map below to see the incorporated Town limits (Study Area):
Streetscape Plan
As part of the 2045 Charting The Course project and the Comp Plan update, the Town will also conduct a Streetscape Visioning Plan.
Areas along East Oak Island Drive will be re-imagined to meet the needs of current and future residents. This visioning process will help create a roadmap to the future.
Select the map below to view the Streetscape Plan Study Area(JPG, 214KB):
Project Administrators
On July 9, 2024, the Oak Island Town Council approved a contract with Civil & Environmental Engineering firm WithersRavenel, for consulting services to update the Town's Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
Over the course of the project, WithersRavenel will be working closely with Town staff from the
... along with several other departments and elected officials.
To contact any of these department directly, simply use the contact forms found on the Contact Us page.
Public Input Schedule
Visit the following link to view even more upcoming opportunities:
Get Involved(JPG, 113KB)
Progress Updates
Provided below are visual updates on the progress of the 2045 Charting The Course project.
August 2024
On Wednesday, August 21, Town Staff and representatives from WithersRavenal held an initial project meeting to review the scope and deliverables for both Comprehensive Plan and "Task 4" (Streetscape improvement)
The meeting also held a review of schedules, roles and lines of communication, and points of contact for project management.
Afterwards a field review was conducted.
September 2024
Kickoff Event
On Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, the Town held a Community Kickoff Event for the 2045 Charting The Course project.
Select the invitation below for a brief video tour!
Steering Committee: First Meeting
The Land Use Plan Update Steering Committee held its first meeting on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 11:20 AM in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, 4601 E. Oak Island Drive.
November 2024
Steering Committee: Second Meeting
The Land Use Plan Update Steering Committee held its second meeting on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, 4601 E. Oak Island Drive.
Community Engagement Survey
From November 7 through December 7, residents & property owners were invited to participate in a Community Engagement Survey, which provided valuable public input to help examine progress made and identify new initiatives for the future.
The Survey included questions related to the Town’s simultaneous Streetscape Project.
December 2024
Steering Committee: Third Meeting
The Land Use Plan Update Steering Committee held its third meeting on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, 4601 E. Oak Island Drive.
January 2025
Steering Committee: Fourth Meeting
The Land Use Plan Update Steering Committee held its fourth meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025 in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, 4601 E. Oak Island Drive.
February 2025
The second Community Open House for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan update was held on February 12, 2025 at Town Hall, with over 100 attendees from the community.
Attendees reviewed and provided feedback on the DRAFT Vision Statement and Plan Goals, which were shared alongside materials from the concurrent Streetscape Master Plan.
The fifth Steering Committee meeting was held the following morning on February 13.
View the results from the Open House event(PDF, 7MB).
March 2025
The sixth Steering Committee meeting took place on April 7, 2025, focusing on draft Action Items tied to the Plan’s Goals and Objectives.
The following day the project team presented a status update on the Comprehensive Plan process to the Town Council during its April 8, 2025 Regular Meeting.
View the Steering Committee presentation.